Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs is a crisp, fresh, and flavorful summer salad that’s perfect for cookouts and busy weeknights. After making this salad dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the tomatoes from getting soggy. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie Recipe for Dinner and Creamy Carrot Cake Ice Cream with Warm Spices.
Why This Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs Is Pure Comfort
- Light and refreshing
- Perfect for summer cookouts
- Easy to make with just a few ingredients
What You'll Need for Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves
- Optional: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- cherry tomatoes: Use a mix of colors for a prettier salad.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Ensures even, thin slices for perfect presentation. → See on Amazon
- Balsamic Vinegar Dispenser — Makes it easy to drizzle the perfect amount of vinegar. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
- Step 1: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half.
- Step 2: Tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
- Step 4: Top with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
- Tip: For a prettier salad, use a mix of cherry tomato colors.
- Common mistake and fix: To prevent soggy tomatoes, don't add the olive oil and vinegar until just before serving.
- Tip: For a heartier salad, add some grilled chicken or chickpeas.
Storing & Reheating Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made up to 1 hour ahead.
Freezing Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Microwave: Not recommended, as it can make the tomatoes soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker salad, use store-bought marinated mozzarella.
- Best substitution: Cotija cheese can be used as a substitute for mozzarella.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and slice the tomatoes up to 1 hour ahead. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too tart, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Olive Oil — Enhances the flavor of the salad and keeps the tomatoes from getting watery. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil leaves
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half.
- Step 2: Tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
- Step 4: Top with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker salad, use store-bought marinated mozzarella.
- Best substitution: Cotija cheese can be used as a substitute for mozzarella.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and slice the tomatoes up to 1 hour ahead. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too tart, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended, as it can make the tomatoes soggy.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 1 hour ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the dressing and slice the tomatoes up to 1 hour ahead. Combine just before serving to prevent soggy tomatoes.
Adding the olive oil and vinegar too early can cause the tomatoes to release their juices and become soggy. Make sure to add the dressing just before serving.
Yes, you can use regular tomatoes. Just make sure to seed and dice them to control the amount of liquid released.
Yes, adding cucumber, bell peppers, or red onion can make this salad even heartier.
This salad pairs well with grilled chicken, steak, or fish. It's also great with crusty bread or as a side dish for pasta.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
