Food and Recipes Veggies Tomatoes 31 Tomato Salads That Shine In Summer Put your freshest, juiciest tomatoes to good use. By Hallie Milstein Hallie Milstein Hallie Milstein is an Editorial Fellow for Southern Living where she is primarily focused on digital production and online content creation. She covers home design, entertaining, and lifestyle across the South, keeping a watchful eye out for emerging and declining trends. Prior to her fellowship, Hallie had been published in Modern Luxury magazines, Our State Magazine, and Hudson Valley Magazine.Hallie recently graduated from North Carolina's Elon University with a degree in Journalism and Religious Studies and has continued her journey by moving even further south. A Southern transplant, Hallie is soaking up the culture, drawls, and as many biscuits as she can in Birmingham, Alabama. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on August 25, 2024 Close Photo: Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray When it comes to savoring tomato season, we’re not too fussy. A ripe tomato in the height of summer is delicious just as it is, cut into wedges or sliced with a dash of salt and pepper. But our favorite tomato salads prove that patience is a virtue. Whether the star of the show or an essential ingredient, tomatoes are captured to their fullest potential in these irresistible summer salads. 47 Fresh Tomato Recipes To Make All Summer Long 01 of 31 Heirloom-Tomato Salad VICTOR PROTASIO; FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINE KEELY If you've got a handful of fresh tomatoes and no ideas on what to do with them, start here. It's hard to beat this simple but stunning tomato salad. get the recipe 02 of 31 Tomato-Mozzarella Salad Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Fresh basil and creamy mozzarella are the perfect pairing to fresh, juicy tomatoes. This recipe pulls on classic Caprese salad with a southern twist: fresh garlic is whisked into bacon drippings, cane syrup, and apple cider vinegar for a smoky-sweet, tangy dressing. get the recipe 03 of 31 Corn-And-Tomato Salad Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Keep this recipe handy, because you're going to be needing it a lot this summer. Sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, crumbled cheese, and creamy dressing are just what you need to complete any and every meal this season. get the recipe 04 of 31 Spring Salad with Berries and Bacon Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Bursts of cherry tomatoes and fresh sliced strawberries add pops of red to this mixed green salad. The best part? Strawberries are blended into a light honey-dijon vinaigrette for an extra boost of strawberry flavor that perfectly compliments the sweetness of the fresh cherry tomatoes. get the recipe 05 of 31 Roasted Pepper-Tomato Salad With Crispy Black-Eyed Peas Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray This dish is dressed to impress. Flavorful heirloom tomatoes and strips of sweet roasted bell pepper are dotted with crunchy roasted black-eyed peas and drizzled with a simple vinaigrette. get the recipe 06 of 31 Millet Salad With Butter Beans, Okra, And Garlicky Marinated Tomatoes ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINA DALEY; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL Skip the greens and go for a grain salad. Millet grains complement summer tomatoes, okra, butter beans, and red onion, but quinoa or bulgar wheat would work too. get the recipe 07 of 31 Cucumber-Tomato-Avocado Salad Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh avocados, and crisp cucumbers make this a simple, rustic salad that’s perfect for a last minute dinner party side. get the recipe 08 of 31 Spinach Salad With Warm Bacon Dressing CAITLIN BENSEL; FOOD STYLIST: TORIE COX If a recipe has bacon in it, sign us up. It's no secret that bacon makes every dish better, and salads are no exception. get the recipe 09 of 31 Arabic Salad (Cucumber and Tomato Chopped Salad) Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster This version of Arabic Salad, a chopped tomato and cucumber salad popular across the Middle East, uses plenty of za’atar, a Levantine spice mix, for extra savory and lemony notes. It’s just one style of a versatile dish that can be served alongside practically anything, especially in the summer when tomatoes are at their very best. get the recipe 10 of 31 Black-Eyed Pea Salad Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Sweet grape tomatoes, bell peppers and celery bring pops of color and flavor to this wholesome, vibrant dish. It's a perfect side dish for cookouts and potlucks—you name it. get the recipe 11 of 31 Seafood Pasta Salad Photographer and Props: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall This pasta salad is a win for seafood lovers. Dotted with hearty shrimp, grape tomatoes, and other veggies, a few dashes of Tabasco beautifully contrast this creamy dressing. get the recipe 12 of 31 Heirloom Tomato-Cracker Salad ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; FOOD STYLING: ALI RAMEE; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY Crackers and tomatoes combine to create a classic and well-loved salad. It's like a tomato sandwich's equally enticing sibling. get the recipe 13 of 31 Greek Salad with Baked Feta Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Classic Greek salad kicked up a notch! Instead of a sprinkle of feta cheese, we've topped our version of Greek salad with slabs of baked feta. The contrast in the temperatures—creamy, warm feta against fresh, juicy tomatoes—is delectable. get the recipe 14 of 31 Chopped Salad Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Dinner for everyone in less than 25 minutes? Yes, please. Fresh tomatoes along with hearty, filling toppings like cheese, ham, and bacon make this dish a hit even with people who don't like salads. A creamy buttermilk dressing brings everything together while toasty pecans provide nuttiness and crunch. get the recipe 15 of 31 Easiest Ever Pasta Salad Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke The name says it all: this pasta salad is the easiest ever. Fresh tomatoes, artichokes, olives and pepperoncini add acid and punchiness that complement the dressing. It's a can't-miss side for spring and summer when fresh tomatoes are in their prime. get the recipe 16 of 31 Southern Cornbread Salad CAITLIN BENSEL; FOOD STYLIST: TORIE COX This potluck star is an instant crowd-pleaser. Between juicy tomatoes, classically delicious Southern cornbread, and crispy bacon, what's not to like? get the recipe 17 of 31 Classic Macaroni Salad With Ham Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey You're just two steps away from a delightful macaroni salad that shows off the season's best tomatoes. Chop them up real small to blend in with other tasty veggies and cubes of ham. get the recipe 18 of 31 Bacon-Ranch Pasta Salad Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox This pasta salad has everything you could ask for in a recipe. Bacon, ranch, herbs, and tomatoes are an unbeatable combination that will rule any potluck. get the recipe 19 of 31 Chicken Tortellini Salad ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL Filled with luscious stuffed pasta and leafy green baby arugula, this summertime supper is both hearty and simple. Shredded chicken and cherry tomatoes are the cherries on top. get the recipe 20 of 31 Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ; PROP STYLING: LYDIA PURSELL; FOOD STYLING: TONI BROGAN With just a few ingredients in just a few minutes, you'll have an appetizer or side salad to please the masses. Tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil are a classic Italian combination that has yet to steer us wrong. get the recipe 21 of 31 Tomato, Peach, And Corn Salad GREG DUPREE; PROP STYLING: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLING: CAT STEELE When a hot and humid day calls for a light and bright lunch, Tomato, Peach, And Corn Salad will do the trick. This vibrant salad shows off the best of the season and beautifully marries sweet and supple summer flavors. get the recipe 22 of 31 Lemon Vinaigrette Pasta Salad With Field Peas ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: CLAIRE SPOLLEN; FOOD STYLING: RISHON HANNERS It's rare for us to meet a pasta salad that we don't like. This one, however, is exceptionally good. Lemon Vinaigrette is the icing on the cake of a beautiful and bright summertime salad. get the recipe 23 of 31 Shrimp Cobb Salad With Bacon Dressing ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: MISSIE NEVILLE CRAWFORD; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX This colorful salad is easy on the eyes and the tastebuds. It's got all the fixings, including shrimp, boiled eggs, blue cheese, bacon, and bright vegetables. get the recipe 24 of 31 Herbed Chicken-And-Rice Salad ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; FOOD STYLING: ALI RAMEE; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY Bright, snappy produce and hearty chicken and rice combine for a delicious dinner that shines especially bright in the summertime. For busy nights, microwavable rice and store-bought rotisserie chicken help this meal come together in hardly any time at all. get the recipe 25 of 31 Street Corn Salad HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ Take your taste buds on a summer vacation with this Mexican-inspired Street Corn Salad. Just combine the ingredients with a dash of olive oil and some cheese and you're good to go. get the recipe 26 of 31 BLT Salad With Buttermilk-Parmesan Dressing And Buttery Croutons ALISON MIKSCH We took a BLT and turned it into a salad. You can thank us later. To make a great thing even better, be sure to bake the croutons and bacon on the same sheet. get the recipe 27 of 31 Marinated Cucumber, Tomato, And Onion Salad HANNAH ZIMMERMAN/SOUTHERN LIVING Once you bring Marinated Cucumber, Tomato, And Onion Salad with you on a picnic, you'll never want to go on a picnic without it. Part of the beauty of marinated salads is that they just get better with time, so there's no rush in reaching your destination. get the recipe 28 of 31 7-Layer Salad JEN CAUSEY; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROP STYLIST: CALEB CLARKE Each layer of this salad is better than the one before, and with seven layers to compete with, that's saying something. Serve it in a clear bowl so guests can marvel at each delicious row of salad goodies. get the recipe 29 of 31 Cowboy Pasta Salad VICTOR PROTASIO; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINA DAILEY Cowboy Casserole is one of our all-time favorite recipes, but we can admit that it's a bit much of a hot and steamy summer day. That's why we've adapted it for the season. Our pasta salad version has everything you love about the casserole but it also hits the spot on a humid day. get the recipe 30 of 31 Summer Orzo Salad PHOTOGRAPHER AND PROP STYLIST: JENNIFER CAUSEY FOOD STYLIST: MELISSA GRAY Serve this summer salad at your next outdoor potluck or cookout and your guests are sure to be begging for your recipe in no time. If they can't place their finger on exactly what your secret ingredient is, it's the pistachios. get the recipe 31 of 31 Tomato-And-Watermelon Salad OXMOOR HOUSE Cut up your tomatoes and watermelon is large chunks to satisfy even the strongest of summer produce cravings. Throw those in a bowl with thinly sliced onions, mint, red wine vinegar, and cracked pepper for a salad with all the flavors of summer. get the recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit