Lime-Zest Tomato & Onion Salad
A vibrant, no-cook salad featuring juicy tomatoes, sweet onions, and a bright lime dressing, ready in under 15 minutes for instant freshness. This indian-inspired indian (vegetarian) ready in about 10 minutes pairs medium tomatoes, finely diced red onion, chopped fresh cilantro for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 80 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 medium tomatoes
- 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 2 medium diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup finely diced red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro; toss gently to mix.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp ground cumin, and 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil until emulsified.
- Step 3: Pour dressing over tomato mixture and toss until evenly coated, then let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lime-Zest Tomato & Onion Salad take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 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 Lime-Zest Tomato & Onion 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 medium tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lime-Zest Tomato & Onion 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 Lime-Zest Tomato & Onion Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is Lime-Zest Tomato & Onion Salad vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
