Simple Country-Style Tomato and Onion Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-03 · Updated 2026-08-03

Fresh, bright tomatoes and crisp onions tossed with a tangy vinaigrette for a refreshing Southern-inspired salad. This Southern-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 10 minutes, pairs ripe tomatoes, sliced, red onion, thinly sliced, apple cider vinegar 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 90 calories and feeds 4, 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

• 4 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn

Instructions

1. Step 1: Arrange 4 medium sliced ripe tomatoes and 1 small thinly sliced red onion in a large shallow bowl.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until the sugar dissolves and the dressing emulsifies.
3. Step 3: Pour the vinaigrette evenly over the tomato and onion slices, tossing gently to coat without breaking the tomatoes.
4. Step 4: Let the salad marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 2 tbsp torn fresh basil leaves over the top just before serving for a fresh herbal aroma.