Sun-Ripened Heirloom Tomato & Herb Salad
A vibrant salad featuring Denver-grown heirloom tomatoes with garden-fresh herbs and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, perfect for summer evenings. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mint 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 185 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
- 2 cups heirloom tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 2 tbsp fresh mint
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Slice 2 cups heirloom tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds and arrange on a serving plate.
- Step 2: Finely chop 1/4 cup fresh basil and 2 tbsp fresh mint, then sprinkle over the tomatoes.
- Step 3: Whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 4: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the tomatoes and herbs immediately before serving, ensuring each slice is lightly coated.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sun-Ripened Heirloom Tomato & Herb Salad take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 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 Sun-Ripened Heirloom Tomato & Herb 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 heirloom tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sun-Ripened Heirloom Tomato & Herb 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 Sun-Ripened Heirloom Tomato & Herb 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.
What goes well with Sun-Ripened Heirloom Tomato & Herb 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
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
