Fresh Tomato and Caper Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-10 · Updated 2026-04-10

A vibrant salad featuring ripe tomatoes and briny capers, tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette and finished with fresh basil for a garden-fresh meal. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs large ripe tomatoes, drained capers, thinly sliced red onion 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 large ripe tomatoes
• 2 tbsp, drained capers
• 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup, torn fresh basil
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 2 large ripe tomatoes diced (1-inch), 2 tbsp capers drained, and 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced.
3. Step 3: Pour the vinaigrette over the tomato mixture and toss gently to coat. Add 1/4 cup fresh basil torn and toss again until evenly distributed.