Skip to main content

Summer Tomato Salad with Fresh Basil and Mozzarella

Image
Donna Urso

 

Summer Tomato Salad with Fresh Basil and Mozzarella

Nothing says summer quite like a bowl of fresh garden tomatoes. When tomatoes are at their peak—juicy, sweet, and bursting with flavor—you don’t need to do much to turn them into something special.

Fresh summer tomato salad with basil, mozzarella, and red onion in a white serving bow

This easy Summer Tomato Salad with Basil and Mozzarella is one of my go-to side dishes during the warm months. It’s light, refreshing, and makes the most of simple seasonal ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Summer Tomato Salad

  • Seasonal Freshness – Garden tomatoes, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella are the stars.
  • Quick and Easy – Just a few minutes of chopping, tossing, and chilling, and you'll have a spectacular summer side dish.
  • Versatile – Serve it alongside grilled chicken, steak, fish, or as part of a picnic spread.
  • Healthy and Delicious – Packed with antioxidants from tomatoes and heart-healthy olive oil.
Jump to Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Ingredients for tomato salad with fresh basil, mozzarella pearls, red onion, and olive oi
    2 large ripe garden tomatoes
  • ½ medium red onion, sliced thinly
  • Fresh basil, chopped
  • 2–3 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls (or cut-up fresh mozzarella)
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Tomatoes – Cut the ripe tomatoes into bite-sized chunks and place them in a medium bowl.
  2. Add Onion – Slice the red onion thinly and add it to the tomatoes.
  3. Season Well – Sprinkle generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  4. Dress the Salad – Drizzle the red wine vinegar and olive oil over the mixture. Toss gently to coat.
  5. Add the Good Stuff – Stir in the fresh basil and chunks of mozzarella.
  6. Chill and Serve – Refrigerate for about an hour before serving to let the flavors meld.

Tips for the Best Tomato Salad

  • Use the Ripest Tomatoes You Can Find – Garden tomatoes or heirloom varieties give the richest flavor.
  • Slice Onions Paper-Thin – This keeps the onion from overpowering the salad.
  • Make Ahead – Mix everything an hour before serving so the vinegar and oil can soak into the tomatoes.
  • Serving Suggestion – Pair this salad with crusty bread to soak up the juices—it’s the best part!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use cherry tomatoes instead of large tomatoes?
Yes! Cherry or grape tomatoes work wonderfully—just cut them in half.

What if I don’t have fresh mozzarella?
Mozzarella pearls make an easy alternative choice.

How long does this salad keep?
It’s best eaten the same day. Tomatoes release liquid as they sit, so leftovers can get watery.

Summer Tomato Salad with Fresh Basil and Mozzarella

summer salad, garden salad, fresh tomato salad
salad
American
Yield: 4
Author: Donna Urso
Fresh Garden Tomato Salad with Basil and Mozzarella

Fresh Garden Tomato Salad with Basil and Mozzarella

A flavorful, seasonal salad to serve when garden tomatoes are at their peak flavor.

Prep time: 10 MinTotal time: 10 Min

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Cut your tomatoes into chunks and add to a bowl.
  2. Slice the red onion thinly and add to the tomatoes.
  3. Season the tomatoes and red onions generously with salt and pepper.
  4. Sprinkle the red wine vinegar and olive oil over the mixture. Toss to coat and distribute flavors.
  5. Add the fresh basil and mozzarella cheese.
  6. Chill for about an hour to encourage the flavors to meld.

Notes

This salad is best with vine-ripened tomatoes at the peak of the harvest season.

Recommended Products

White Salad Bowls

Cutting Board Set

7-inch Santoku Knife

Nutrition Facts

Calories

168.67

Fat (grams)

14.65 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

3.81 g

Carbs (grams)

5.24 g

Fiber (grams)

1.34 g

Net carbs

3.9 g

Sugar (grams)

3.15 g

Protein (grams)

4.89 g

Sodium (milligrams)

165.18 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

14 mg

Nutritional information is approximate.

Similar Recipes

Easy Refrigerator Pickled Beets

Creamy Crunchy Cucumber Salad

Creamy Coleslaw

©Just One Donna

Comments

Post a Comment

Talk to me. I welcome your comments. (These comments are strictly moderated. Spammers take note.)

More Popular Posts

Coffee and Dessert-A Perfect Pairing

Donna Urso
Coffee and dessert go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly, night and day, or Thelma and Louise. I've teamed up with three blogging friends who love coffee and dessert as much as I do to bring you three of their favorite fall desserts to pair with three specialty coffee drinks I've made in the Ninja Coffee Bar System. I was very excited to receive this Ninja Coffee Bar System (Model CF092) to review.  I am by no means a coffee snob but I do like a good cup of coffee.  I also like a coffee maker that is easy to use and can be depended on to produce a consistent cup of coffee day in and day-out.  In the past few years, I have used a Keurig single-serving system, a French press, and a Cuisinart drip coffee maker. The Keurig is sitting on a shelf in my basement, the French press is on a high shelf in the kitchen and the Cuisinart sits in my beverage center waiting for me to return to it while I take the Ninja Coffee Bar System for a test drive.   I have...
55 comments
Read more

How to Make a Perfect Bacon and Eggs Breakfast

Donna Urso
In my opinion, the best breakfast consists of two perfectly fried eggs, crispy bacon, and toast made with hearty bread. This bacon and eggs recipe delivers. Bacon and eggs or eggs and bacon? No matter, it is definitely the breakfast you want on those lazy mornings when you have time to relax around the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee or two. The Best Bacon and Eggs Breakfast (This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  When you make a purchase using these links you help support this blog.) How to Cook Bacon and Eggs My technique was learned from my mom, by watching her make our family's breakfast over and over again, year after year.  This is a basted egg recipe which means the eggs are cooked in bacon grease. Cooking eggs in bacon fat is easy and takes just a little practice to perfect. All you really need for a great bacon and eggs breakfast is a good nonstick skillet and a good toaster . If you want to make your own bre...
2 comments
Read more

The Best Asian Dipping Sauce You'll Ever Taste

Donna Urso
If you're looking for a versatile, easy-to-make Asian dipping sauce perfect for sushi and dumplings, then you've come to the right place. This recipe for the best Asian dipping sauce is perfect for any time you want a  kick of delicious Asian flavor. An Asian Dipping Sauce for Sushi and Dumplings Try this if you are looking for a dipping sauce that is a little more flavorful than you typically get with your takeout order. You'll love it with dumplings, too!
2 comments
Read more

Traditional New England Whoopie Pies

Donna Urso
Are you searching for the ultimate, classic New England whoopie pie recipe? Look no further! Whoopie pies are a beloved treat, a nostalgic dessert that evokes childhood memories and continues to delight today. My mom would make them for us every once in a while. Oh, what a treat to come home from school to a platter of chocolate whoopie pies! This recipe, inspired by traditional Maine-style whoopie pies, comes from my family recipe box. It delivers soft, chocolatey cakes with a rich, creamy cooked filling – no marshmallow fluff needed! The Best Whoopie Pies Recipe without Marshmallow Fluff This post includes affiliate links. Whoopie pies are essentially handheld cake sandwiches: soft, round, cake-like cookies embracing a luscious, creamy filling.  While their origin is debated, New Englanders proudly claim them as their own. This recipe focuses on the traditional Maine-style filling, a cooked flour and milk mixture that creates a uniquely satisfying t...
9 comments
Read more

Five Keys to Growing A Healthy Ficus Tree

Donna Urso
Have you ever wondered how a single Ficus benjamina tree could become a beloved part of your home for decades, thriving and growing alongside your family?  If you haven’t yet, you might consider the addition of this living, air-purifying companion in your home that not only beautifies your space but also stands the test of time.  You may know this tree as either a Ficus benjamina or a weeping fig.   I have loved growing a ficus tree in my home for 36 years. It’s remarkable that I've had this tree for so long.   How to Grow A Ficus Tree Inside for Decades This post includes affiliate links. I may receive compensation when you use these links. When thinking about how I managed to keep this indoor ficus tree happy, healthy, and growing strong all these years it boiled down to five key Ficus benjamina plant care tips. Follow these tips and you can have a happy, healthy ficus tree in your home for many years, too.
22 comments
Read more

Lemon Yogurt Cake

Donna Urso
A Lemon Cake to Delight Lemon Lovers Something happens to my taste buds as soon as spring hits each year.  I start to crave lemon.  It seems like I can't stop thinking about lemon squares, lemon meringue pie, and lemon cake.  Does this happen to any of you?  It seems that my taste buds have seasons too!  Today I'm making a lemon yogurt cake to satisfy my desire for anything lemon and to use some of the slow cooker yogurt I have in the refrigerator. Lemon Yogurt Cake This is another Ina Garten recipe, from the Barefoot Contessa At Home.   It's a favorite because it is moist and lemony.  You'll like this recipe because it is really easy to make by hand.  No electric mixer is required.  So, when you are in the mood for a little sweet something you'll be able to whip this cake up in a snap. Lemon Yogurt Cake Printer Friendly Recipe Makes 1 loaf cake Ingredients Lemon Yogurt Cake Ingredients 1 1/2 cups all-p...
34 comments
Read more

How to Trap and Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Donna Urso
Fruit flies can be a huge annoyance at certain times of the year. What can you do to kill fruit flies? We've all been there wondering how to get rid of fruit flies.  Fruit flies in the kitchen.  Fruit flies in the bathroom.  Fruit flies buzzing around everywhere in your home.   It's a frustrating problem that happens to everyone at one time or another.  If you are a fresh fruit and produce lover you certainly know what I mean. How to Kill Fruit Flies with Two Ingredients Those pesky little buggers can often be brought into your home on the vegetables and fruit you buy. You don't have to tolerate the annoyance.  This homemade fruit fly trap is one I have been using for many years and it works every time. 
1 comment
Read more

Bread Machine Dinner Rolls

Donna Urso
Are you looking for an easy dinner roll recipe? The easiest way to make fresh dinner rolls is with your bread machine. Relax while you use the dough setting of your bread machine to get the time-intensive steps out of the way. You'll be delighted with the results of this easy bread machine dinner roll recipe. The best bread machine dinner rolls are the ones you make yourself. How to Make Bread Machine Dinner Rolls This post contains Amazon affiliate links. When you use your bread machine to make dinner rolls most of the work is done by the machine.  You'll be delighted with how easy it is to make fresh rolls. While most of the work is being done by the bread machine you can be doing something else.
4 comments
Read more

Grandma's Soft and Chewy Date-Filled Cookies

Donna Urso
One of the things I can count on as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons arrive each year is a feeling of nostalgia. The traditional foods we serve at our family's holiday tables can sure bring out all the feels. Now that it is officially cookie season, we should kick it off with an old-fashioned homemade date-filled cookie recipe. This is a soft, tender cookie with dates that is a special, nostalgic, family recipe.   An Old-Fashioned Date Cookies Recipe This old-fashioned, date-filled cookie was my dad's favorite cookie from his childhood. My dad was born in 1932 so this recipe has been around for quite a while. 
16 comments
Read more

Boston Cream Cupcakes

Donna Urso
I love, love, love cupcakes primarily because they are little personal cakes.  I like how cute they look. I like the portion control.  I like that I can eat a whole cake and not feel guilty.   These Boston cream cupcakes are the result of my quest to turn Boston Cream Pie, one of Hubby's favorite desserts, into portion-controlled, individual servings. Boston Cream Cupcakes turn Boston Cream Pie into a little less of a guilty pleasure.  Don't they look yummy?  I love how glossy the chocolate ganache topping looks! Mini Boston Cream Pies Boston Cream Cupcakes I've always thought of Boston Cream Pie as a fussy dessert to make.  I don't like fussy desserts or any fussy recipes, for that matter. In reality, the recipe is pretty straightforward and while the cupcakes are made in three steps, each step is fairly simple.  You can even spread making these cupcakes over a couple of days if you like. First, you will make the pastry cream becau...
17 comments
Read more