Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs is the perfect summer side dish. After making this countless times, I’ve discovered the trick to the best texture is to slice the tomatoes just before serving. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips, including how to prevent a watery salad. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Olive Tapenade and Refreshing Blueberry Coconut Water Drink.
Why This Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs Is Pure Comfort
- Bursting with fresh flavors
- No-cook, perfect for summer cookouts
- Easily customizable with your favorite herbs
- Ready in just 10 minutes
What You'll Need for Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Red onion slices
- Optional: Cucumber slices
- Optional: Avocado slices
- Optional: Crumbled feta cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Cherry tomatoes: Use a mix of colors for a pop of color.
- Fresh mozzarella: Use the small, bite-sized mozzarella balls for easy slicing.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Ensures even, thin slices for perfect presentation. → See on Amazon
- Balsamic Glaze — Adds a touch of sweetness and tanginess to the salad. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
- Prepare the tomatoes: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and place them in a large bowl.
- Add the mozzarella: Add the sliced mozzarella to the bowl with the tomatoes.
- Add the herbs: Tear the basil and parsley leaves and add them to the bowl.
- Drizzle the dressing: Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic glaze over the salad. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss the salad to combine. Serve immediately to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid slicing the tomatoes ahead of time to prevent a watery salad. The longer they sit, the more water they release.
- Substitution tip: Try using different fresh herbs like mint or chives for a unique twist.
- Presentation tip: For a beautiful presentation, arrange the salad on a platter with the tomatoes and mozzarella overlapping.
- Make-ahead tip: Prepare the dressing and slice the mozzarella ahead of time. Slice the tomatoes just before serving.
Storing & Reheating Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the dressing and slice the mozzarella ahead of time. Slice the tomatoes just before serving.
Freezing Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Microwave: Not recommended as it can make the salad watery.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a mandoline slicer for even, thin slices.
- Best substitution: Try using different fresh herbs like mint or chives for a unique twist.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and slice the mozzarella ahead of time. Slice the tomatoes just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe easily doubles or triples for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your salad is too watery, try draining the tomatoes before adding them to the bowl.
Want to level up this recipe?
Salad Spinner — Ensures dry, crisp salad greens every time. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Red onion slices
- Cucumber slices
- Avocado slices
- Crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the tomatoes: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and place them in a large bowl.
- Add the mozzarella: Add the sliced mozzarella to the bowl with the tomatoes.
- Add the herbs: Tear the basil and parsley leaves and add them to the bowl.
- Drizzle the dressing: Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic glaze over the salad. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss the salad to combine. Serve immediately to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a mandoline slicer for even, thin slices.
- Best substitution: Try using different fresh herbs like mint or chives for a unique twist.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and slice the mozzarella ahead of time. Slice the tomatoes just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe easily doubles or triples for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your salad is too watery, try draining the tomatoes before adding them to the bowl.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended as it can make the salad watery.
- Make ahead: Prepare the dressing and slice the mozzarella ahead of time. Slice the tomatoes just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 130
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs FAQs
While you can prepare some components ahead, slicing the tomatoes just before serving helps prevent a watery salad.
Cherry tomatoes release water as they sit. To prevent this, slice them just before serving.
Yes, this salad is a great base for other salads. Try adding grilled chicken or shrimp for a heartier meal.
You can substitute fresh mozzarella with regular mozzarella or even feta cheese.
While this salad is best in the summer with fresh tomatoes, you can use cherry tomatoes from the grocery store in the winter. The flavor won't be as intense, but it will still be delicious.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh 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!
