Zesty Cherry Tomato Salad with Feta & Basil – No-Cook Summer Side Dish
This cherry tomato salad is bursting with summer flavor and freshness.
Juicy cherry tomatoes, sharp red onion, fragrant basil, salty feta, and a tangy lemon garlic vinaigrette make it a perfect no-cook tomato salad recipe. Ready in under 10 minutes, this easy cherry tomato salad is gluten-free, vegetarian, and ideal for warm-weather meals. Whether you're meal prepping, making a quick lunch, or looking for a healthy cherry tomato side dish, this salad delivers big flavor with minimal effort. It’s a colorful tomato salad that’s rustic, seasonal, and endlessly customizable.
Recipe at a Glance
· Prep Time: 10 minutes
· Cook Time: 0 minutes
· Total Time: 10 minutes
· Servings: 2
· Calories: 30 per serving
· Protein: 20g per serving
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Tomato recipe
· Quick no-cook tomato salad – perfect for hot days.
· Loaded with cherry tomatoes, feta, and basil.
· Easy cherry tomato salad ready in 10 minutes.
· Ideal for summer tomato salad cravings.
· Great as a cherry tomato appetizer or picnic side.
· Great for roast dinner sides, lunches, or picnic bowls.
· Healthy, gluten-free, and vegetarian.
· Bursting with seasonal tomato flavor.
· Can easily be adjusted with different spice blends.
· Great meal prep salad idea for warm weather.
Ingredients
· 120g cherry tomatoes, halved
· ½ red onion, finely sliced
· ½ teaspoon salt
· ½ teaspoon pepper
· 6–8 basil leaves, torn
· 1 large garlic clove
· Juice of ½ lemon
· ¼ cup (35g) crumbled feta cheese
· 40ml Olive oil
Instructions
1. Halve the cherry tomatoes, finely slice the red onion, and mince the garlic.
2. In a large bowl, add tomatoes, onion, basil, garlic, salt, pepper and crumble some feta. Toss gently.
3. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon and drizzle olive oil over the salad. Toss again.
4. Enjoy immediately or let marinate for 5–10 minutes to develop flavor,
Nutrition
· Calories: 30
· Protein: 20g
· Fiber: 2g
Tips & Customizations
· Add pine nuts or sunflower seeds for crunch.
· Replace red onion with green onion or shallots.
· Swap feta for vegan cheese for a dairy-free version.
· Use balsamic vinegar instead of lemon for a sweeter finish.
· Include sliced cucumbers or green olives for variation.
· Try with goat cheese or mozzarella pearls instead of feta.
· Add arugula or spinach to make it a leafy salad bowl.
Meal Prep & Storage
Pre-chop ingredients, but assemble just before eating to avoid sogginess.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Keep feta and basil separate if storing ahead to maintain texture and color
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this cherry tomato salad gluten-free?
A: Yes, it contains no gluten-containing ingredients.
Q: Can I make this salad vegan?
A: Yes, simply swap the feta for a plant-based alternative.
Q: How long can I store this salad?
A: It’s best fresh but keeps well for up to 48 hours in the fridge.
Final Thoughts
This marinated cherry tomato salad with lemon, garlic, feta, and basil is a game-changer for your summer meals. It’s quick, customizable, and packed with flavor. From meal prep to last-minute sides, it’s one of the best cherry tomato salad recipes you’ll ever try. Whether you call it rustic, colorful, or simply delicious, this dish delivers everything you love about a healthy tomato salad—fast. Bookmark it, share it, and make it part of your go-to seasonal tomato recipes.
Tried this recipe? Let us know what you think and leave a comment below—What twists would you make?
“I’m definitely looking forward to the day when I stop working - if I ever stop working. I like the idea of keeling over in my tomato vines in Sardinia or northern Italy.”
