This Heirloom Tomato Salad recipe is a celebration of peak summer produce. Chunky, juicy heirloom tomatoes are tossed with red onion, fresh basil, a zippy caper dressing, and then topped with creamy burrata. It’s a simple and beautiful salad that’s absolutely bursting with flavor. You can enjoy this tomato salad its own, or serve alongside grilled chicken or steak for an easy, elegant meal.
Why You Will Love This Heirloom Tomato Salad
- Perfect summer side dish – Fresh tomatoes, basil, and burrata shine in this no-cook salad.
- Quick and easy – Just slice, whisk, and serve!
- Fresh and flavorful – The tangy caper dressing balances the richness of the burrata and the sweetness of the tomatoes.
- Versatile and light – This heirloom tomato salad is great as a starter, light lunch, or side to grilled meats or fish.
- Vibrant and impressive – The colors and textures of this tomato salad make it look gourmet, with zero effort.
Ingredients
- Heirloom tomatoes → Any ripe, in-season tomatoes like beefsteak, vine-ripened, or cherry tomatoes can be used.
- Red onion → Shallots or sweet yellow onion are great alternatives.
- Burrata → Fresh mozzarella, stracciatella, or a scoop of ricotta can be used in replacement of burrata.
- Fresh basil → Instead, use flat-leaf parsley or arugula.
- Red wine vinegar → Easily replace with white wine vinegar, lemon juice, or white balsamic vinegar.
- Grainy mustard → Dijon mustard is a great substitute.
- Capers → Use chopped green olives, or omit entirely.
How to Prepare Heirloom Tomato Salad
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, chopped capers, salt, and black pepper to create the caper dressing.
- Rinse the heirloom tomatoes and cut them into large chunks. Place in a large mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle the tomatoes with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the thinly sliced red onions and torn fresh basil leaves.
- Pour the dressing over the tomato mixture to your liking. Toss gently to coat.
- Spoon the tomato salad onto a large serving platter.
- Gently open each burrata ball and nestle it on top of the tomatoes.
- Drizzle the burrata with olive oil. Finish with more fresh basil and cracked black pepper before serving.
How to Serve and Store
Serving Suggestions:
- Pair with grilled chicken, steak, or seafood.
- Serve this heirloom tomato salad as a main course with crusty bread to soak up the dressing.
Storage Tips:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Burrata may release moisture when stored, so consider separating before refrigerating.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this salad ahead of time? Yes, you can prep the dressing and chop the tomatoes and onions ahead of time, but do not assemble or dress the salad until just before serving to prevent it from getting watery.
- What is burrata? Burrata is a soft Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is solid mozzarella, while the inside is stracciatella and cream, giving it an irresistibly creamy texture.
- Do I have to add cheese? No, the salad is delicious even without the burrata. Skipping the cheese makes this dish completely dairy-free and still full of bright, fresh flavor.
- Can I use dried basil? Fresh basil is highly recommended for this salad. If unavailable, use arugula or flat-leaf parsley for freshness.
- What if I don’t like capers? You can skip the capers or replace them with finely chopped green olives for a similar briny note.
- Is this salad keto-friendly or low carb? Yes! This salad is naturally low in carbohydrates and gluten-free.
More Heirloom Tomato Recipes to Love
- Southern Heirloom Tomato Pie
- Heirloom Tomato Crustless Quiche
- Grilled Heirloom Tomato Flatbread
- Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio Salad
- Lobster and Heirloom Tomato Salad
- Heirloom Tomato Spinach Galette
Heirloom Tomato Salad
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
Description
This Heirloom Tomato Salad is a celebration of peak summer produce. It’s a simple and beautiful salad that’s absolutely bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 medium to large heirloom tomatoes
- 1/4 red onion, sliced thin
- 2 small balls of burrata
- 6 torn fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Cracked black pepper, for garnish
- Drizzle of olive oil
For the Caper Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon grainy mustard
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons roughly chopped capers
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, chopped capers, salt, and black pepper to create the caper dressing.
- Rinse the heirloom tomatoes and cut them into large chunks. Place in a large mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle the tomatoes with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the thinly sliced red onions and torn fresh basil leaves.
- Pour the dressing over the tomato mixture to your liking. Toss gently to coat.
- Spoon the tomato salad onto a large serving platter.
- Gently open each burrata ball and nestle it on top of the tomatoes.
- Drizzle the burrata with olive oil. Finish with more fresh basil and cracked black pepper before serving.
- ENJOY!
Equipment
Notes
- Cut the tomatoes just before serving to keep them juicy and fresh.
- Feel free to slice the tomatoes instead of cutting into chunks.
- Use ripe, in-season heirloom tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
- Let the dressed tomato mixture sit for 5–10 minutes before plating to allow flavors to develop.
- Serve with toasted bread or crostini to soak up the dressing.
- For a lighter version, skip the burrata and serve as a simple tomato basil salad.
- You may not use all of the dressing. You can also double the dressing and use leftovers on greens, roasted veggies, or pasta salad.
- Always taste the dressing before adding—it should be tangy, balanced, and just slightly salty.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Lunch, Dinner, Meal Prep
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American, Italian
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WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
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