Easy Italian Tomato Salad (Marinated!)
This Italian Tomato Salad is incredibly juicy, flavorful, and easy to whip up! Simple ingredients such as red juicy tomatoes, sweet red onions, and a tangy vinaigrette, create a delicious, low-calorie, and delicious salad! But the secret is in “the method.”
Italian Tomato Salad (Marinated)
Fresh garden tomatoes are at their peak this time of year. What better way to use them up in delicious salads like this one?
We grew up eating this tomato salad our entire lives. So what gives? When it comes to making an Italian Tomato Salad, this recipe is so simple, very tasty, and never disappoints.
Our mom always made her tomato salads, simple and delicious, like her Refreshing Tomato Salad with Tuna, and her Spring Tomato Basil Bocconcini Salad. Both are great too.
Nowadays, we can find ripe, juicy tomatoes all year round. With his simple method, you’ll want to make this delicious-tasting tomato salad for years too.

How to Make Italian Tomato Salad?
The secret to our tomato salad is layering the ingredients in a particular order. This method allows all the flavors to infuse together while it marinates for a few minutes.
Then the tomato salad is chilled for at least one hour before serving. Our method is to marinate the tomatoes before the vinegar goes in (it makes a huge difference). And it works, creating the most refreshing juicy tomato salad ever.
It is so flavorful – everyone will go nuts over it!
Our Italian tomato salad always turns out perfect and POSITIVELY Delicious – every time!

For this recipe, you will need these ingredients:
- red juicy tomatoes
- red onion
- extra virgin olive oil
- red wine vinegar
- plus, seasonings: garlic powder, salt, and fresh cracked pepper.
What Kind of Tomatoes Can We Use?
Juicy red tomatoes on the vine or fresh tomatoes from the garden are perfect to use. These tomatoes are fire red, very flavorful, and very juicy. Best of all, they are high in antioxidants! They can be found in every fresh market or supermarket this time of year.

Variations To This Salad…
- You can add some fresh herbs like fresh basil, parsley, and even dried oregano.
- You may even enjoy adding in some garlic and olives.
- But when it comes to making a tasty Italian tomato salad, we believe less is more. We recommend using only a good quality extra virgin olive oil – imported from Italy, with good quality tomatoes. There is no reason to add anything else!
Options to Serve it With Italian…
- Grilled Flank Steak with Olive Oil and Garlic
- Grilled London Broil Steak to Perfection
- Parmesan Crusted Turkey Cutlets
- Perfect Veal Cutlet Milanese

A Terrific Salad as a Side
Serve this easy Italian Tomato Salad as a side with our Veal Cutlet Milanese or Chicken Rollatini with Prosciutto and Cheese, and you’ll have a delicious meal for the entire family!
It’s an ideal salad for any barbecue, picnic, or potluck. Try it! It won’t disappoint!
ENJOY!!
More Italian Salads to try!
- Easy Italian Macaroni Salad
- Easy Italian Shrimp Salad
- Italian Potato Salad
- Green Beans and Carrot Salad – Italian Style!
Any questions? Ask away! If you try our Italian Tomato Salad, please leave a comment and a star rating below. We’d love to hear from you. It helps everyone who reads them, and it helps us too. Snap a photo and share it on Pinterest and Instagram, be sure to tag us. We’d love to see and share what you cook. 🙂

Italian Tomato Salad (Marinated)
Italian Tomato Salad is made easily with red juicy tomatoes, sweet red onions, extra virgin olive oil, and red wine vinegar. Simple, delicious, and low calorie! A healthy salad to serve the family!
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 fresh tomatoes- rinsed, sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion- sliced
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. salt, and extra to taste
- 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- Season with fresh cracked pepper to taste
- optional: fresh basil, as garnish
Instructions
- Grab a salad bowl. Place the sliced tomatoes on the bottom. Then top the tomatoes with red onions.
- Sprinkle 1/8 teaspoon of salt over them. Then sprinkle garlic powder.
- Next, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil over them. Set aside for 10 minutes to marinate at room temperature.
- Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about 20 minutes, or until you are ready to serve.
- Just before serving, remove salad from the refrigerator. Pour in red wine vinegar. Toss and mix well. Taste and season with fresh cracked pepper to taste, and serve.
- Serves 4 to 6
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 to 6 servgins Serving Size: 1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 60Total Fat: 4.8gSaturated Fat: .7gCarbohydrates: 4.2gFiber: 1.2gSugar: 2.6gProtein: .9g
Nutrition Facts: Serving size: 1 serving. Servings: 6 Calories 60, Total Fat 4.8g, Saturated Fat 0.7g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 55mg, Total Carbohydrate 4.2g, Dietary Fiber 1.2g, Total Sugars 2.6g Protein 0.9g Vitamin D 0mcg0%Calcium 11mg1%Iron 0mg1%Potassium 213mg.
Have a Delicious Day!
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What a great way to use all of the tomatoes I have growing in my garden right now!
Yes absolutely- this is a great way to use up those beautiful garden tomatoes! Enjoy!! 🙂
We must have been raised together at some point in our lives, Anna and Liz. My mother and now my family have prepared this delightful, garden-fresh tomato and basil salad since I can remember. I eat it straight out of the bowl sometimes because I’m too impatient to dig right in and enjoy!!!
We feel the same! Thanks Roz! Have a great weekend! 🙂
I agree. Often times less is definitely more! Especially when you’re talking about beautiful, ripe tomatoes. I’m still waiting for mine to ripen. I have a million cherry and grapes, but I love those big juicy ones!
Thanks, Mimi, this salad is a definite winner – hope you’ll try it soon! Have a great day! 🙂
I love a great Italian tomato salad too, and need to try your husband's tried and true method to make it even more delicious! Great tips Liz and Anna! PS: some of the best tomatoes on the planet are grown on Edisto Island — something about the soil. You'll be having fresh tomatoes in no time in the Lowcountry!
Baci,
Roz
Oh wow Roz! We didn't know that about Edisto Island good to know
Thanks again ! Xoxo
Another wonderful, bright and fresh salad – I could eat this for dinner with a big slice of bread! Nice.
We could too Tricia! Thanks for stopping by.
I have had Joe's tomato salad, and it is the best!!
Thanks Nicole for your kind words, you are so sweet! Xo
My mom made a similar dish with cucumbers but I haven't tried it with tomatoes. Great idea.
Hey Barbara, I bet its delicious with cucumbers!
I think he's right. What oo do you use?
HI Abbe, we use Colavita extra-virgin olive oil. But, any brand that is labeled "product of Italy" is really good quality evoo. You pay a little more for them, but worth it since you will notice the difference in flavor.
I totally agree with your hubby that fresh and ripe tomatoes do not need anything else but olive oil and maybe a splash of balsamic. BTW, I love the new look of your site! xoxo, jackie
Thanks Jackie!
Mmm I can't wait until tomatoes are really in season so I can make this! I know their really fresh flavor will be outstanding in it!