August 26, 2021

Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes (Easy Salad)

What could possibly beat perfectly ripe heirloom tomatoes from the farmers’ market? Nothing…EXCEPT those tomatoes parlayed into the most delicious, succulent marinated heirloom tomatoes with just a few key ingredients.

Unbelievably delicious marinated heirloom tomatoes.

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Inspiration for this Recipe

One of my foodie friends, Viviane, inspired this salad almost a decade ago when she hosted a few couples for a backyard brunch in San Francisco. I still remember our impressive spread: mushroom frittata, fresh olive bread, warm blueberry cake, and THE MOST DELICIOUS TOMATOES I HAVE EVER EATEN.

I could hardly believe Viviane when she explained her simple method for her delicious tomato salad. It was just a few ingredients thrown together and left to sit…essentially the tomatoes marinating in their own juices. The key was picking the best tomatoes, a mix of heirlooms fresh from the farmers’ market.

Unfortunately Viviane didn’t recall her recipe by the following summer. It was tomato season again and I couldn’t wait to recreate her masterpiece. But I remembered that basil and a touch of balsamic were two of the few ingredients. So I began experimenting…

Years later, I have finally written down my favorite tomato marinade!

Why I love this Italian Heirloom Salad

This easy marinated tomato salad is BURSTING with flavor. Simply combine ingredients and let it sit for an hour + to let the magic happen. It is:

Simple

Fresh

Flavorful

Bright

Naturally Sweet

Vegan

Gluten-free

Keto friendly

Paleo Friendly

Whole 30 Friendly

So What are Heirloom Tomatoes Exactly?

And why are they often so much sweeter and more flavorful than regular (hybrid) tomatoes?

The difference is in the seeds. Farmers pass down heirloom tomato seeds each season by taking seeds from the plants that produce the best fruit with regards to juiciness, color, size, and shape.

Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated, which means they are pollinated naturally from insects, birds, wind, human hands, or other natural mechanisms without genetic modification.

Turns out that most of the typical mass-market tomatoes, called hybrid tomatoes, are “bred” to look good so that we buy them. Not necessarily to taste good. Hybrid tomatoes must be pollinated by hand to ensure the right combination of traits.

Shopping for Heirloom Tomatoes

When shopping for tomatoes, especially when they are the star ingredient, we try to buy them at the farmers’ market. This way we can ask the farmers which of their tomato varietals are the best: the most balanced, flavorful ones (not to acidic, not only sweet) with perfect texture (not too firm, not too squishy).

From Brandywine and Cherokee Purple to Black Krim and Marvel Stripe, we have many heirloom varieties available at our local farmers’ markets here in NorCal. I encourage you to ask your farmer at your local market which is her/his favorite!

Oh, and don’t get me wrong…hybrid tomatoes are sometimes just as delicious as heirlooms. I recently made this salad with dry-farmed Early Girl tomatoes after the farmer at my local farmers’ market directed me to them, and it was JUST AS TASTY as the heirloom version. Early Girl tomatoes are common in the Bay Area of California, as the microclimates here make dry farming possible.

Bottom line, use the freshest, tastiest tomatoes available where you live and you can’t go wrong.

Ingredients

heirloom tomatoes (or heritage tomatoes if you are in the UK;)): The obvious star of this dish, the tomatoes BURST with sweetness in this recipe. A mix of different varieties of heirlooms bring an assortment of colors, textures, and flavors.

fresh basil: Its no secret that basil complements tomatoes, and the tomatoes are especially herbaceous and earthy after marinating for an hour or more.

fresh garlic: Allowing the garlic to marinate in the oil and tomato juice mellows it’s pungency.

balsamic vinegar: The rich, dark sweetness and mild tartness of balsamic brings out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes and, well, parlays those tomatoes into pure magic.

sea salt: Just a touch for balance.

olive oil: Olive oil adds earthy, olive flavor to the tomatoes.

ground pepper: Fresh ground is best.

Substitutions

Baby heirloom tomatoes work well for this recipe if you can’t find larger ones. Can’t get your hands on any heirloom tomatoes? Hybrid tomatoes like Early Girl or Campari tomatoes are usually a great choice.

White balsamic or champagne vinegar are the best substitutions for dark balsamic as their sweetness will help bring out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes, but red or white wine vinegar can work okay too.

While olive oil brings a beautiful olive flavor to this salad, avocado oil works too.

If you don’t have fresh basil, other fresh herbs like dill, mint, and oregano work well too. No fresh herbs on hand? Dry basil will work just fine.

Additions

These marinated tomatoes make a perfect arugula tomato salad simply topped over the greens. Olives, avocado, plant-based feta cheese, or additional fresh herbs also complement this salad. Be sure to add them after the tomatoes marinate.

How to Make Marinated Tomatoes: Step by Step

Using a serrated knife (or other sharp knife), cut the tomatoes into wedges from top to bottom. See video in recipe card.

Cut or tear the basil and mince the garlic.

Combine all ingredients into bowl and gently mix to combine.

Cover and let sit on counter for at least 1 hour (up to 4 hours) to marinate. Gently mix once or twice during marination.

Make Ahead & Storage

These marinated heirloom tomatoes should marinate at room temperature for at least 1 hour, and up to 4 hours, so plan your prep time accordingly!

For maximum flavor, do not refrigerate tomatoes. If necessary to refrigerate during marination, take tomatoes out of fridge and let them return to room temperate before enjoying.

Store leftovers in air tight container in the refrigerator. Take tomatoes out of fridge and let them return to room temperate before enjoying leftovers if possible.

Do not freeze.

Serving Suggestions

The perfect summer salad to serve at a BBQ, this salad is a gorgeous accompaniment to burgers, sausages, corn, and other summer favorites.

Also a great brunch addition, serve with a veggie frittata, roasted veggie, fresh bread, and a fruit salad!

Finally, top these amazing marinated heirloom tomatoes over crostini for bruschetta! Simply dice tomatoes into bite size pieces first.

Pin the best marinated tomatoes recipe for later:

Pin for simple marinated heirloom tomatoes.

FAQs

How do you choose heirloom tomatoes?

The best place to shop for heirlooms is at the farmers’ market if possible so you can ask the farmers directly, as you cannot determine the taste or texture of a tomato by sight alone. You want to ask them which they think are the best on a particular week: the most balanced, flavorful tomatoes (not to acidic, not only sweet) with perfect texture (not too firm, not too squishy).

Can I pre-cut tomatoes for salad?

Yes, you can cut tomatoes in advance if necessary. However, the best way for tomatoes to maintain their flavor is to leave them at room temperature.

What is the difference between tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes?

The difference is in the seeds. Farmers pass down heirloom tomato seeds each season by taking seeds from the plants that produce the best fruit with regards to juiciness, color, size, and shape. Most of the typical mass-market tomatoes, called hybrid tomatoes, are “bred” to look good so that we buy them (not necessarily to taste good). Hybrid tomatoes must be pollinated by hand to ensure the right combination of traits.

What are heirloom tomatoes best used for?

Heirloom tomatoes are sweet and often complex. They are especially wonderful raw or marinated in salads, salsa, or bruschetta. Heirlooms are also delicious cooked atop pizza or in a simple pasta dish.

How do you cut an heirloom tomato for a salad?

Using a serrated knife (or other sharp knife), cut the tomatoes into wedges from top to bottom.

What is tomato salad made of?

Generally, a tomato salad is comprised of vinegar, olive oil, herbs, garlic, salt, pepper, and of course, tomatoes!

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I hope you enjoy this simple marinated heirloom tomatoes salad recipe! I appreciate your rating and review below!

Cheers!

–Jenn