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Fresh Seasonal Summer Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes and Feta

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A quick and easy summer salad featuring juicy heirloom tomatoes, creamy feta, and fresh herbs tossed in a zingy dressing. Perfect for hot days when you want something fresh, satisfying, and simple.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups heirloom tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (optional, soak in cold water briefly to mellow sharpness)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the heirloom tomatoes under cool water and pat dry. Cut into roughly 1-inch chunks, keeping their shape intact.
  2. Remove basil leaves from stems and roughly chop. Chop mint leaves if using. Set aside.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, sea salt (start with 1/2 teaspoon), and freshly ground black pepper until emulsified and slightly thickened.
  4. In a large bowl, gently toss the tomatoes with the dressing. Let sit for 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and tomatoes to soak up the dressing without becoming mushy.
  5. Crumble feta cheese over the salad and sprinkle in the chopped basil and mint. Stir in red onions if using. Gently fold everything together using salad servers or large spoons, being careful not to break up the tomatoes.
  6. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Add a drizzle more olive oil if the salad feels too tangy.
  7. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving. Bring to room temperature for best flavor.

Notes

Use a serrated knife to gently cut tomatoes to avoid crushing. Let the salad rest after tossing with dressing to enhance flavor. Add herbs just before serving to keep them fresh and vibrant. Adjust salt carefully due to feta’s saltiness. For dairy-free, substitute feta with crumbled firm tofu or vegan cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: summer salad, heirloom tomatoes, feta cheese, fresh herbs, easy salad recipe, quick summer recipe, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/fresh-seasonal-summer-salad-with-heirloom-tomatoes-and-feta-easy-homemade-recipe-for-hot-days/