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 many times, I discovered the trick to keeping it crispy is to pat the tomatoes dry. This salad is lighter and fresher than store-bought, and it’s a great match for my Easy Cajun Sweet Potato Rice Bowl with Black Beans. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Cajun Sweet Potato Rice Bowl with Black Beans and Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Recipe for Easy Dessert.
Why This Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs Is Pure Comfort
- Bursting with fresh summer flavors
- Crispy and refreshing
- Easy to make and perfect for cookouts
- Better than takeout
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 fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes (optional)
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- mozzarella: You can use regular or mini mozzarella balls.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Kitchen Shears — Make quick work of cutting cherry tomatoes → See on Amazon
- Balsamic Glaze — Adds a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
- Prepare the tomatoes: Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and pat them dry with a paper towel. This helps keep the salad crispy.
- Toss the salad: In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and parsley. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with red pepper flakes if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-toss the salad. This can cause the mozzarella to break up and the salad to become watery.
- Pro tip: For a heartier salad, add some grilled chicken or chickpeas.
- Pro tip: Make this salad up to an hour ahead, but don't add the mozzarella until just before serving to prevent it from becoming soggy.
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: You can prepare the tomatoes and herbs up to a day ahead, but don't combine them until ready to serve.
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 recommended as it can make the salad soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some sliced red onions or jalapeños.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the mozzarella with feta or goat cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your salad becomes watery, you may have over-tossed it or used too many tomatoes. Try patting the tomatoes dry again and serving the salad in smaller portions.
Want to level up this recipe?
Wooden Salad Bowls — Showcase your salad in style → 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
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the tomatoes: Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and pat them dry with a paper towel. This helps keep the salad crispy.
- Toss the salad: In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and parsley. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some sliced red onions or jalapeños.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the mozzarella with feta or goat cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your salad becomes watery, you may have over-tossed it or used too many tomatoes. Try patting the tomatoes dry again and serving the salad in smaller portions.
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 recommended as it can make the salad soggy.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the tomatoes and herbs up to a day ahead, but don't combine them until ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 170
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sat. Fat: 4.5g
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, you can prepare the tomatoes and herbs up to a day ahead, but don't combine them until ready to serve.
You may have over-tossed it or used too many tomatoes. Try patting the tomatoes dry again and serving the salad in smaller portions.
No, this salad is not suitable for freezing.
Add some sliced red onions or jalapeños.
You can substitute the mozzarella with feta or goat cheese for a different flavor profile.
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!
