Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Easy Cherry Tomato Salad is your ultimate summer side dish. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to keeping it light and fresh. The crisp tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh herbs create a salad that’s simply irresistible. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili Recipe and Easy Crockpot Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe for Dinner.
Why This Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs Is Pure Comfort
- Light and refreshing for summer cookouts
- Easy to customize with your favorite herbs
- Better than store-bought salad dressings
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
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Balsamic glaze
📝 Ingredient Notes
- cherry tomatoes: Mix colors for a prettier salad
- mozzarella: Use small mozzarella balls or slice larger ones
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good Quality Olive Oil — Enhances the salad's flavor → See on Amazon
- Balsamic Glaze — Adds a touch of sweetness and depth → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
- Prepare the salad: Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the mozzarella. Combine in a large bowl with fresh herbs.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Serve: Plate the salad and drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired. Serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-dress the salad. Start with less dressing and add more if needed to prevent a soggy salad.
- Time-saving tip: Prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time and store separately. Combine just before serving.
- Nutrition tip: Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for a protein-packed meal.
- Presentation tip: Arrange the salad artfully on a platter for a stunning presentation.
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 salad ingredients 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 applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use ripe, in-season tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Best substitution: Substitute feta cheese for a tangier salad.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too dry, add a little more olive oil or vinegar.
Want to level up this recipe?
Salad Spinner — Ensures crisp, dry lettuce for the perfect salad → 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
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil leaves
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Prepare the salad: Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the mozzarella. Combine in a large bowl with fresh herbs.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Serve: Plate the salad and drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use ripe, in-season tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Best substitution: Substitute feta cheese for a tangier salad.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too dry, add a little more olive oil or vinegar.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 170
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
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 salad ingredients ahead of time. Combine just before serving to prevent sogginess.
You may have used too much dressing or let the salad sit too long. Try using less dressing and serving immediately.
No, freezing will ruin the texture of the salad.
No, an air fryer is not suitable for making this salad.
Feta cheese is a great substitute for a tangier salad.
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!
