Easy Fresh Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Herbs
Easy Fresh Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Herbs is the ultimate summer salad. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to keeping it crisp and refreshing. The key is to salt the tomatoes first, letting them release their juices. This prevents a watery salad. Keep reading for more tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Classic Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Topping and Classic Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice.
Why This Easy Fresh Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Herbs Is Pure Comfort
- Bursting with fresh flavors
- Effortless entertaining
- Perfect for summer cookouts
- Crisp and refreshing
What You'll Need for Easy Fresh Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Herbs
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: Red onion slices
- Optional: Crispy prosciutto
- Optional: Balsamic reduction
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Fresh mozzarella: Drain excess water before slicing.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Kitchen Shears — Easily snip fresh herbs and slice cherry tomatoes. → See on Amazon
- Balsamic Glaze — Adds a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Fresh Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Herbs
- Prepare the tomatoes: Halve or quarter the cherry tomatoes, depending on size. Place in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 10 minutes to release juices.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and parsley. Add olive oil, balsamic glaze, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Enjoy as a side dish or light main course.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Fresh Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Herbs
- Pro tip: To prevent a watery salad, salt the tomatoes first and let them sit for 10 minutes to release juices.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid over-dressing the salad. Start with a small amount of dressing and add more if needed.
- Pro tip: For a twist, add grilled chicken or shrimp for a protein-packed main dish.
- Pro tip: Make ahead and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The flavors will meld, but the salad may release some liquid.
Storing & Reheating Easy Fresh Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Herbs
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made 1 hour ahead.
Freezing Easy Fresh Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Herbs
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use store-bought balsamic glaze instead of making your own.
- Best substitution: Substitute fresh mozzarella with feta or goat cheese for a tangy twist.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad up to 1 hour ahead. Add dressing just before serving to prevent sogginess.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too watery, drain excess liquid before serving.
Want to level up this recipe?
Mezzaluna Rocker Knife — Makes quick work of slicing tomatoes and herbs. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Fresh Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Herbs
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Red onion slices
- Crispy prosciutto
- Balsamic reduction
Instructions
- Prepare the tomatoes: Halve or quarter the cherry tomatoes, depending on size. Place in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 10 minutes to release juices.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and parsley. Add olive oil, balsamic glaze, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Enjoy as a side dish or light main course.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use store-bought balsamic glaze instead of making your own.
- Best substitution: Substitute fresh mozzarella with feta or goat cheese for a tangy twist.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad up to 1 hour ahead. Add dressing just before serving to prevent sogginess.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too watery, drain excess liquid before serving.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Can be made 1 hour ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 200
- Protein: 9g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Fresh Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Herbs FAQs
Over-ripened tomatoes or adding dressing too early can cause a watery salad. To prevent this, salt the tomatoes first and let them sit for 10 minutes to release juices. Add dressing just before serving.
Yes, you can prepare the salad up to 1 hour ahead. However, adding the dressing too early can cause the salad to become soggy. Add dressing just before serving.
Grill chicken or shrimp and add them to the salad for a protein-packed main dish. You can also add crispy prosciutto or crumbled bacon for extra flavor.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The salad may release some liquid, so drain excess liquid before serving.
Using kitchen shears, snip each tomato in half or quarters, depending on size. This method is quick and easy, and helps distribute the tomatoes evenly in the salad.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Fresh Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Herbs and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
