Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs is the perfect summer side dish. After making this salad countless times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it crisp and fresh. The key is to dress it right before serving. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Refreshing Cherry Limeade Recipe Perfect for Summer.
Why This Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs Is Pure Comfort
- Bursting with summer flavors
- Crisp and fresh texture
- Easy to customize with your favorite herbs
- Perfect for cookouts and light dinners
What You'll Need for Easy Summer 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 pints cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves
- Optional: Fresh parsley leaves
- Optional: Balsamic glaze (optional)
📝 Ingredient Notes
- cherry tomatoes: Use a mix of colors for a pop of color
- mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella is best for this recipe
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of the salad → See on Amazon
- Balsamic glaze — Adds a touch of sweetness and elegance → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
- Step 1: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and add them to a large bowl
- Step 2: Tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces and add it to the bowl
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper
- Step 4: Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine
- Step 5: Garnish with fresh basil and parsley leaves. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
- : For a heartier salad, add cooked farro or quinoa
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid dressing the salad too far in advance to prevent sogginess. Dress just before serving
- : Use a mix of fresh herbs for added flavor
- : For a different twist, try adding sliced cucumber or red onion
Storing & Reheating Easy Summer 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: Prepare the dressing and slice the tomatoes and mozzarella ahead of time. Combine just before serving
Freezing Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Not suitable for freezing
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary Microwave: Not necessary
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker salad, use store-bought pesto instead of making your own dressing
- Best substitution: Substitute feta for mozzarella for a tangier salad
- Make-ahead: See storage notes
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too acidic, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality salad bowl — Makes tossing and serving a breeze → Check price on Amazon
Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil leaves
- Fresh parsley leaves
- Balsamic glaze (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and add them to a large bowl
- Step 2: Tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces and add it to the bowl
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper
- Step 4: Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine
- Step 5: Garnish with fresh basil and parsley leaves. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker salad, use store-bought pesto instead of making your own dressing
- Best substitution: Substitute feta for mozzarella for a tangier salad
- Make-ahead: See storage notes
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too acidic, 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 necessary
- Make ahead: Prepare the dressing and slice the tomatoes and mozzarella ahead of time. Combine just before serving
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 170
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs FAQs
Yes, prepare the dressing and slice the tomatoes and mozzarella ahead of time. Combine just before serving to prevent sogginess
Dressing the salad too far in advance can cause it to become soggy. Dress just before serving
No, this salad is best served cold and does not require cooking
Feta cheese is a great substitute for mozzarella in this salad
Yes, this salad is perfect for summer cookouts and potlucks. It's light, fresh, and full of summer flavors
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Summer 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!
