This vibrant and refreshing Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio Salad is perfect for those warm summer days when you crave something light, yet satisfying. Made with a variety of colorful heirloom tomatoes, this summer salad is as visually stunning, as it is delicious. This dish is an excellent choice to serve as a healthy salad, side dish, or a standout addition to any meal.
What is Carpaccio?
The term “carpaccio” originated from a classic Italian dish featuring thinly sliced raw beef served with a lemon and olive oil dressing, often accompanied by capers and onions.
Today, “carpaccio” has evolved to encompass a variety of dishes that follow the same principle of thinly sliced ingredients, extending beyond raw beef to include other meats, fish and even vegetables.
This modern usage emphasizes the preparation technique of slicing ingredients wafer-thin to create a delicate, elegant presentation that highlights the natural flavors and textures of the food, as seen in dishes like this Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio Salad.
How to “Carpaccio” a Tomato
By following these steps, you’ll achieve the delicate, thin slices that are characteristic of a carpaccio:
- Chill the Tomatoes: If time allows, place the tomatoes in the fridge for about an hour, or in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. This firms up the tomatoes, making them easier to slice thinly.
- Prepare Your Tools: Use a very sharp knife. A sharp, thin blade ensures clean, even slices.
- Cut Off the End: Cut off the end of the tomato to create a flat surface.
- Slice the Tomatoes: With the cut side facing up, use a sharp knife and a rocking motion to thinly slice the tomato, dragging the blade across the top of the tomato to create thin, even slices.
Why You Should Make this Heirloom Tomato Salad Recipe
- Burst of Natural Sweetness: Heirloom tomatoes are vibrant and sweet.
- Variety of Textures: The combination of tomatoes, microgreens, red onion and pepitas provides a delightful mix of textures.
- Enhanced Flavors: Flaky salt and cracked black pepper enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.
- Nutrient-Rich: Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, this salad is a healthy choice.
- Simple and Fresh Ingredients: The use of high-quality, fresh ingredients makes this salad both delicious and nutritious.
- Visually Stunning: The colorful heirloom tomatoes create a visually appealing dish.
- Quick and Easy to Make: Perfect for a quick summer salad, or a healthy side dish.
Ingredients
- Heirloom Tomatoes: Easily substitute with garden tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes or vine-ripened tomatoes.
- Flaky Salt: Substitute with sea salt or kosher salt.
- Cracked Black Pepper: Substitute with freshly ground black pepper or pre-ground black pepper.
- Microgreens: Substitute with baby arugula, baby spinach or mixed greens.
- Golden Balsamic Vinegar: Golden balsamic vinegar is a milder and slightly sweeter alternative to traditional dark balsamic vinegar, making it perfect for this light and fresh tomato salad. Substitute with white balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar or traditional balsamic.
- Red Onion: Leave out, or you can substitute with shallots or sweet yellow onion.
- Pepitas: Pepitas add texture and crunch to this summer salad. Substitute with sunflower seeds, pine nuts or chopped almonds.
How to Prepare an Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio Salad
- Once the tomatoes have been sliced thin, arrange them, overlapping, on a platter.
- Sprinkle with the flaky salt.
- Spread out the microgreens and red onion.
- Drizzle on the olive oil and golden balsamic vinegar.
- Sprinkle on the pepitas and finish with cracked black pepper.
How to Serve and Store Tomato Salad
This Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio Salad can be enjoyed as a light meal, but also pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes:
- Grilled Meats: Serve alongside grilled chicken, steak or fish for a light and fresh contrast.
- Cheese and Bread: Pair with a crusty baguette and a selection of cheeses, such as fresh mozzarella or burrata.
- Pasta Dishes: Compliment a simple pasta dish like spaghetti aglio e olio or a light pesto pasta.
- Pizza: The heirloom tomato salad makes for a great accompaniment to your favorite pizza.
Storage Tips
While this heirloom tomato salad is best enjoyed fresh, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day.
More Heirloom Tomato Recipes to Love
- Heirloom Tomato Lobster Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
- Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta Parmesan Crisps
- Heirloom Tomato Caprese Stacks
- Heirloom Tomato Spinach Galette
Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio Salad
- Total Time: 10-15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Made with a variety of colorful heirloom tomatoes, this summer salad is as visually stunning, as it is delicious. Makes for an excellent side dish, or stand alone meal.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 heirloom tomatoes in a variety of colors
- 1/2 teaspoon flaky salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup microgreens
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon golden balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 red onion, sliced thin
- 1 tablespoon pepitas
Instructions
- If time allows, place the tomatoes in the fridge to firm up for about an hour, or 10-15 minutes in the freezer.
- Using a very sharp knife, slice the tomatoes as thin as you can.
- Overlap the tomato slices on a platter.
- Sprinkle with the flaky salt.
- Spread out the microgreens and red onion.
- Drizzle on the olive oil and golden balsamic vinegar.
- Sprinkle on the pepitas and finish with cracked black pepper.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side dish, Lunch
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
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