Basil, capers and feta cheese enhance the natural flavours of late-summer tomatoes in this simple recipe for Heirloom Tomato Salad. A smattering of coarse sea salt and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar is all that's needed to dress this healthy keto tomato salad.

overhead view of an heirloom tomato salad with feta cheese and basil

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❤️Why you'll love this recipe
🛒Ingredients
🔪Instructions
❓What are heirloom tomatoes?
🔁 Possible Variations
👍🏼Elaine's Tips
🗒 More summer salad recipes
📖 Recipe

Just looking at this heirloom tomato salad photo makes me smile. Memories of a salad made with sun-warmed tomatoes, fresh from the vine and drizzled with pungent olive oil come flooding back with every bite. That salad, savoured in a tiny outdoor café on the shores of the Mediterranean, is one that's etched in my memory.

Warmth, sunshine, and colour! I'm feeling grateful to have made those memories. But now, I can recreate them right here at home.

Late summer tomatoes are something I crave all year. Winter tomatoes are so disappointing. So when spring comes, I plant, water, nurture, and pinch. Then in late July and August, I'm rewarded with a large harvest of sun-ripened tomatoes.

If you have an abundance of tomatoes, try this Simple Rustic Tomato Salad, Balsamic Bocconcini Cherry Tomato Salad, Grilled Halloumi Peach and Tomato Salad, or these oh-so-good Broiled Italian Tomatoes with Garlic and Herbs.

Cherry Tomatoes on a white painted board background — Heirloom cherry tomatoes add flavour and colour to this simple tomato salad with feta cheese.

❤️Why you'll love this recipe

Simple is best! This Heirloom Tomato Salad with feta cheese is the easiest you'll ever make!

Tomato salad is a great way to enjoy the late-summer harvest from your garden or farmers' market. It's hard to believe such a simple salad has so many intense flavours!

🛒Ingredients

You'll find ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.

heirloom tomatoes: any variety. Different coloured heirloom tomatoes make a spectacular salad
cherry tomatoes: add lots of natural sweetness to this salad
fresh basil leaves: for those rich Mediterranean flavours
capers: heightens the flavour of the tomatoes
feta cheese: optional, but provides that sweet and salty contrast
sea salt
extra-virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar

🔪Instructions

A smattering of basil and a spoonful of capers brings out the deep rich flavour of tomatoes. Sprinkle some sea salt and feta crumbles on top and your keto tomato salad is ready to dress.

I chose to use a simple balsamic dressing, and by simple I mean no recipe needed! I whisked spoonfuls of olive oil and balsamic vinegar together and drizzled a little on the salad just before serving.

Slice the large heirloom tomatoes and arrange on serving dish. Add halved cherry tomatoes.
Cut basil chiffonade-style, leave some leaves whole and arrange on serving dish. Sprinkle with sea salt. Garnish with capers and crumbled feta.
Whisk 1 tablespoon olive oil with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar. Drizzle over salad and serve immediately.

sprinkling coarse salt on Heirloom Tomato Salad with Feta Cheese — A sprinkle of coarse salt enhances the natural flavour of heirloom tomatoes.

❓What are heirloom tomatoes?

You may find that heirloom tomatoes are sometimes called heritage tomatoes. They are a cultivar of tomato, known for their high-quality flavour and texture. They come in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes, sometimes in odd shapes. If you're seeking the juiciest, most delicious tomatoes, look for heirlooms in your supermarket or farmer's market.

🔁 Possible Variations

Keep it dairy-free. Omit the feta cheese, or substitute goat cheese if it agrees with you.

Add sliced cucumbers for extra crisp crunch.

Change the herbs. You could substitute fresh oregano and thyme for the basil.

Add homemade Herbed Oven-Baked Polenta Croutons for a crispy treat on top!

👍🏼Elaine's Tips

Like all tomatoes, Heirloom tomatoes taste best when served at room temperature.

This recipe makes a simple summertime tomato and feta salad, bursting with flavour! It is best eaten soon after it's made. Enjoy every mouthful!

Heirloom tomato salad with fresh herbs on a white platter.

🗒 More summer salad recipes

When you make this heirloom tomato salad, please leave a comment and a star rating below. Thanks in advance! Subscribe to my newsletter and have new recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

📖 Recipe