Our tomato onion salad is a delicious tangy side dish to serve at dinners and gatherings. It is easy to make and brings plenty of colour to the table! Serve as a starter with some fresh bread or as an accompaniment to a variety of dishes.
This is one of those super simple salads that I come back to all the time—especially when tomatoes are juicy and in season. It’s just halved baby or cherry tomatoes and onions (I love using red onion for that little kick), tossed with a quick vinaigrette and a handful of herbs. That’s it! It comes together in minutes and somehow always steals the show. I usually make it when I’m grilling or need something light and fresh on the side, but honestly, I’ve eaten it straight out of the bowl for lunch more times than I can count.
Tomato and onion salads pop up in so many food cultures around the world—it’s one of those simple, rustic combos that just works. You’ll find versions in Mediterranean kitchens, especially in Italy and Greece, where fresh produce and olive oil are always the stars. In India, tomato and onion salads are often served with spicy dishes to add a fresh, cooling bite. Even in Latin American and Middle Eastern cuisines, you’ll spot similar salads dressed up with lime juice, herbs, or a sprinkle of spice. It’s a global favourite with endless little twists, depending on where you are and what’s in season.
Why is this recipe so good?
- Easy to find ingredients. This recipe uses everyday ingredients that deliver yummy results every time.
- Beautifully balanced flavours. Wonderfully fresh and vibrant, with a wonderful balance of flavours. An all round winning side dish for all occasions!
- The perfect side to virtually anything. Serve it as part of a buffet, a cool summertime salad or alongside some grilled meat for a delicious accompaniment to your meal.
Ingredients for tomato salad
- Baby tomatoes: gives a little extra sweetness and colour to the dish.
- Red onion: adds a sharp tangy and slightly sweeter flavour than their brown counterparts.
- Dried oregano: with notes of mint and lemon to balance the flavours in this salad with onion and tomato.
- Red wine vinegar: adds an extra zing to the salad recipe.
- Extra Virgin Olive oil: for a silky smooth texture and light flavour in this tomato and onion salad.
- Sea salt: balances and rounds off the flavours in the dish. Do taste and adjust to your personal preference.
- Basil: used to garnish the red onion tomato salad, but gives a sweeter note to the dish too.
- Chives: purely used for the vibrant green colour as a garnish.
How to make tomato and onion salad
This salad is so good and comes together in mere minutes! Simply half the tomatoes and thinly slice the onion, then combine with the remaining salad ingredients before spooning into a bowl and garnishing with additional herbs.
Step 1: Half the tomatoes, then set aside. We did some lengthways and some widthways. Thinly slice the onion according to your preferences.
Step 2: Place the tomatoes and onions in a bowl. Add in the vinegar, oil, salt and oregano and gently mix until everything is evenly combined.
Step 3: Garnish with basil and chopped chives, if desired.
How do I store this salad?
Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge after making.
How long will this dish keep?
This salad will keep, stored in the fridge, for up to three days.
What to serve with tomato and onion salad
Thanks to its bright vibrant flavours, this tomato red onion salad pairs beautifully with main dishes to match. Try enjoying it with a curry and rice.
Alternatively, it would make a delicious starter served with some lightly grilled ciabatta bread. Yum!
Troubleshooting
If you have any questions about this onion and tomato salad recipe, please drop us a comment below, we would love to help. Additionally, if you enjoyed this salad recipe, we would love you to leave us a star rating and review below! Thanks so much!
Thanks for joining us today friends! We hope you love this delectable salad as much as we do! Until next time!
Tomato Onion Salad
Ingredients
For the tomato onion salad
- 750 g mixed baby tomatoes
- 1 red onion
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 0.5 tsp sea salt
For decoration
- basil leaves
- 1 tsp chives
Equipment
- 1 knife
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Serving plate
- 1 Mixing spoon
Instructions
To make the Tomato Onion salad
- Half the tomatoes, then set aside. We did some lengthways and some widthways.750 g mixed baby tomatoes
- Thinly slice the onion according to your preferences.1 red onion
- Place the tomatoes and onions in a bowl. Add in the vinegar, oil, salt and oregano and gently mix until everything is evenly combined.2 tsp dried oregano, 2 tsp red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil, 0.5 tsp sea salt
- Garnish with basil and chopped chives, if desired.basil leaves, 1 tsp chives
Notes
- Recommend to add the salt to the dish and toss just before serving. The salt will draw out moisture from the tomatoes and make the dish very wet if done in advance of serving.
- Different colour tomatoes are not necessary to the dish, but they do make it look more pretty!
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @ourjazkitchen on Instagram.