Fresh Tomato and Red Onion Salad (Mediterranean Style)
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Mediterranean-style tomato and onion salad is a simple, light dish you can make in 15 minutes. With a few easy tricks, you’ll bring out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes, mellow the sharp bite of the onions, keep the salad fresh, and prevent it from being watery.
Prep Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
15 Minutes
Servings
4 Side Salads
What Makes This Tomato and Onion Salad Different
Quick Answers
How Do I Select the Perfect Tomato?
You will want to stick with a firm medium-sized tomato, preferably off the vine. My favorites are heirlooms, Campari, and Romas. What matters most is the firmness; if there is too much give, then the tomato will give off more water than you are expecting.
What do I serve a Tomato and Onion Salad with?
I usually serve my tomato and onion salad when it is warm outside. It pairs well with lighter meals, such as lemon garlic pasta or focaccia bread topped with fruit and vegan cheeses. I also like to serve this salad on special occasions, particularly during the spring holidays and as part of a Mediterranean mezze.
Can I Cut This Into Smaller Tomatoes?
Yes, I used tomato wedges in my pictures. But you can use smaller tomatoes or cut the tomatoes into smaller pieces. This works particularly well if you want to use a tomato and onion salad more like a relish or condiment. (Think Cava style of relishes.)
Tomato and Onion Salad that Tastes like the Mediterranean
This tomato and red onion salad takes me back to backpacking in the Mediterranean. I had many meals that the hosts had prepared. They often used a few simple, high-quality ingredients, made with love, and the result was better than anything I could have imagined.
This simple tomato salad reminds me of those meals, and that good food always comes down to great ingredients!
With Love, Ruth Grindeland
Key Ingredient Notes (Why They Matter!)
Fresh Herbs
Parsley and mint bring this salad alive! Which is why you want to use fresh parsley and mint, and never dried!
Fresh Tomatoes
You have a lot of room in the fresh tomato section to choose the tomatoes you love! My personal preference is firm, medium-sized, sliced tomatoes. But that is just a preference. If you love cherry or grape tomatoes, use those, just remember to cut the onions into smaller, matching sizes.
Red Onion
Red onions can have a sharp flavor. In some cases, too sharp. To mellow out the onion, while keeping its flavor, we are going to soak it in lemon juice. Now, if red onion is not your thing, that’s okay, just substitute with your favorite onion. (My mom used to make this with green onions.)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step One: Prepare the Tomatoes
- Place the chopped tomatoes in a colander and sprinkle with ½ tsp salt.
- Let the tomatoes sit for 10 minutes to release excess water.
- Pat dry with a paper towel before adding to the salad.
Step Two: Marinate the Onions
- Place thinly sliced onions in a small bowl.
- Pour the lemon juice and let it sit for 10 minutes. Drain before adding to the salad.
Step Three: Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, toss together the salted tomatoes, marinated onions, parsley, and mint.
- Drizzle the tomato and onion salad with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. If you can wait, let the salad sit for five minutes before serving.
More Recipes to Try
- Mediterranean Kale and Chickpea Salad
- Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad
- Turkish Shepherd Salad
- Greek Cucumber Salad
Additions & Pairings
Additions
- Cucumbers are a natural fit. Before adding them, I recommend scooping out the seeds to remove excess water. Then cut them into a similar size to the tomatoes. (If you want something with more Mediterranean flavors, try my Greek cucumber salad.)
- Feta cheese crumbles give this salad another layer of flavor. I recommend the Follow Your Heart dairy-free feta crumbles. They are my favorite!
- Kalamata olives can add a briny flavor that pairs perfectly with a Mediterranean salad! Just remember to remove the pits or buy kalamata olives pitted.
Perfect Pairings
- Serve this tomato and onion salad as part of a Mediterranean mezze.
- Toast Turkish bread and cut it into thick cubes for a panzanella-style salad.
- Use a variety of tomatoes and colors for the visual wows!
How to Store This Recipe
You can store this salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. But it is important to note that, over time, the tomatoes will shed water, making this salad watery. For this reason, I recommend eating it within two hours of making it.
How Did It Go?
I hope you love this fresh tomato and onion salad as much as I do! Before you go, please leave me a rating and let me know your thoughts on this recipe. Your feedback is valuable to other readers and me.
Fresh Tomato and Red Onion Salad (Mediterranean Style)
Equipment
- 2 small bowls
- 1 small whisk or fork
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 colander
Ingredients
- 3 cups medium-sized tomatoes (Campari, Roma, etc.) cut into bite-sized chunks
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt plus more for salting tomatoes
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon sumac (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Tomatoes
- Place 3 cups chopped tomatoes in a colander and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon sea salt. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to draw out excess water. Pat them dry with a paper towel before adding to the salad.
Marinate the Onions
- Add ½ thinly sliced red onion to a small bowl. Pour over 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar over the onions and let sit for 10 minutes. Drain before using.Note: This step tames the onion’s bite so it doesn’t overpower the sweetness in the tomatoes.
Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine the salted tomatoes, marinated onions, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, and 1 tablespoon chopped mint. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Season with ¼ teaspoon black pepper and, if using, ¼ teaspoon sumac. Toss gently to coat. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to come together.
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes Featuring Tomatoes….
- Try Ciambotta, an Italian summer stew. Each vegetable is sautéed separately, allowing it to keep its texture and flavor. It’s extra work, and oh so worth it!
- Want to cook the tomatoes without onions? Try air fryer tomatoes. It intensifies the flavor, and they are ready in a few minutes!
