Tomato Onion Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

Tomato Onion Salad with Balsamic Vinegar is made with just a few simple, fresh ingredients. Loaded with seasonal summer flavors and crumbles of blue cheese, it's as delicious as it is beautiful, and perfect for casual entertaining. 

The first time I was served a Tomato Onion Salad like this, I was on the Big Island of Hawaii. 

The onions were almost as sweet as the tomatoes, and it was presented much like a Caprese salad, with the large slices of sweet onion in lieu of mozzarella.

Made almost entirely of fresh, seasonal garden ingredients, whether you make a large platter or individual servings on small plates, it's sure to be a huge hit!

Ingredients for Tomato Onion Salad

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• heirloom tomatoes
• sweet onions (i.e., Maui, Vidalias or Walla Wallas)
• fresh basil leaves
• blue cheese crumbles
• balsamic vinegar
• black pepper
• salt

How to Make it

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- Thinly slice tomatoes and onions into large rounds.

- Alternating between them, arrange the tomato and onion slices on a round plate (or platter). Add a few basil leaves between the slices, and crumbles of blue cheese on top. 

- Add the balsamic vinegar to a very small sauté pan and place it over medium-high heat. Cook until it thickens and reduces by about half.

- Drizzle the reduced balsamic over the tomatoes and onions and then sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.

Recipe Tips and Substitutions

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• The key to a salad like this (and most recipes, of course) is starting with the best ingredients possible. Especially since everything is raw -- we want each flavor to shine on its own.
• During the summer, tomatoes and sweet onions are best from your local Farmers Market (here's a directory to find one near you). And if you happen to have any of these things growing in your garden, even better!
• If you can't find any of the sweet onions listed (Maui, Vidalia or Walla Wallas), use a red onion. They are typically on the sweet side year round.
• A variety of colors of tomatoes will make the presentation extra special, but it's more important the tomatoes taste good -- so get whichever colors are the most ripe and the most delicious.
• Vary the amounts if you want, depending on how many you're serving. If you want to make a large centerpiece platter for example, just add more of everything. Simple!
• Thickening the balsamic vinegar makes it richer and sweeter. If you're pressed for time, or don't want it too sweet, just drizzle it on top as is.

Can you make it ahead?

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Arrange the ingredients up to a couple hours ahead of time. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. (The balsamic glaze should not be added until the moment you serve.)

I hope you love this Tomato Onion Salad!

More delectable summer salads:

• Mango-Manchego Basil Salad
• Compressed Watermelon Salad
• Watermelon Basil Salad with Avocado
• Grilled Little Gem Lettuce Avocado Salad
• Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Lemon
• Peach and Avocado Salad with Zucchini
• Nicoise Salad Cups with Lemon Dressing