Get ready to experience a burst of Italian sunshine on your plate with this incredibly simple yet devastatingly delicious Tuscan Tomato Basil Salad! Imagine fresh, juicy tomatoes dancing with fragrant basil and a zesty vinaigrette that will make your taste buds sing with Mediterranean delight. In just 15 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that looks gourmet but requires minimal effort - perfect for summer gatherings, quick lunches, or when you want to impress without breaking a sweat!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 large tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the fresh tomatoes thoroughly under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully dice the tomatoes into uniform bite-sized cubes, approximately 1/2 inch in size. Place the diced tomatoes in a large mixing bowl.
- Peel the red onion and slice it very thinly using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer. To reduce the sharp bite of raw onion, you can briefly soak the sliced onions in cold water for 2-3 minutes, then drain.
- Gently rinse the fresh basil leaves under cool water and pat dry with paper towels. Chop the basil leaves into fine, fragrant pieces using a sharp knife or herb scissors.
- Add the thinly sliced red onions and chopped basil to the bowl with the diced tomatoes.
- In a small separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil and red wine vinegar to create a simple vinaigrette dressing.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the tomato, onion, and basil mixture. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Gently toss all ingredients together, ensuring the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Let the salad rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
- Serve in individual salad bowls, optionally garnishing with additional fresh basil leaves for extra aroma and visual appeal.
Tips
- Choose ripe, in-season tomatoes for the most vibrant flavor - their sweetness is key to this simple salad.
- For the best texture, use a sharp knife to ensure clean, even tomato cuts that look professionally prepared.
- Briefly soaking red onions in cold water helps mellow their sharp bite, making them more palatable.
- Let the salad rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop a more complex taste profile.
- For an extra gourmet touch, use high-quality extra virgin olive oil and aged red wine vinegar.
- If possible, use fresh basil from your garden or a local market for the most aromatic experience.
- This salad is best served at room temperature to maximize the flavor of the ingredients.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 45kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 1g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
