Botanical Garden Herb & Heirloom Tomato Salad
A vibrant spring salad featuring heirloom tomatoes, edible flowers, and a light citrus vinaigrette inspired by award-winning gardens. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 20 minutes pairs chopped heirloom tomatoes, baby spinach, thinly sliced radishes into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups, chopped heirloom tomatoes
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup, thinly sliced radishes
- 2 tbsp edible flowers (nasturtiums or pansies)
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, and 1/4 tsp sea salt until emulsified.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups baby spinach, 2 cups chopped heirloom tomatoes, and 1/2 cup thinly sliced radishes. Toss gently with 2/3 of the dressing until leaves are lightly coated.
- Step 3: Arrange salad on plates, top with 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil, 2 tbsp edible flowers, and remaining dressing drizzled over the center.
- Step 4: Serve immediately while greens are crisp and vibrant.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Botanical Garden Herb & Heirloom Tomato Salad take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (20 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Botanical Garden Herb & Heirloom Tomato Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chopped heirloom tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Botanical Garden Herb & Heirloom Tomato Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Botanical Garden Herb & Heirloom Tomato Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Botanical Garden Herb & Heirloom Tomato Salad?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order mediterranean delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
