Easy Summer 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 many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it crisp and fresh. The combination of juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh herbs creates a light, irresistible salad that’s better than takeout. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie Recipe and Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Grilled Cheese Recipe.
Why This Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs Is Pure Comfort
- Light and refreshing
- Ready in 15 minutes
- Bursting with fresh flavors
- Better than takeout
What You'll Need for Easy Summer 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 cups cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 cup pine nuts (toasted)
- Optional: 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan
📝 Ingredient Notes
- cherry tomatoes: Use a mix of colors for a pop of color.
- fresh mozzarella: Use the small ciliegine mozzarella balls for easy prep.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Balsamic Glaze — Adds a sweet, tangy kick to the salad. → See on Amazon
- Pine Nuts — Adds a nice crunch and nutty flavor. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
- Step 1: Halve the cherry tomatoes and tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces. Combine in a bowl.
- Step 2: Add the fresh basil and parsley leaves to the bowl.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper. Pour over the salad and toss to combine.
- Step 4: Top with toasted pine nuts and shaved Parmesan, if using. Serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
- Pro Tip: For a shortcut, use store-bought balsamic glaze instead of making your own.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid over-dressing the salad. Start with a small amount of dressing and add more as needed.
- Pro Tip: To toast pine nuts, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden, about 3 minutes.
- Pro Tip: For a heartier salad, add grilled chicken or chickpeas.
Storing & Reheating Easy Summer 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: Can be made up to 1 hour ahead. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
Freezing Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary, as this is a cold salad. Microwave: Not necessary, as this is a cold salad.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Use regular tomatoes if cherry tomatoes are not available.
- Make-ahead: The salad can be made up to 1 hour ahead. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad becomes watery, drain excess liquid before serving.
Want to level up this recipe?
Mozzarella Baller — Makes prep a breeze by easily slicing mozzarella balls into bite-sized pieces. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Optional Toppings
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (toasted)
- 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan
Instructions
- Step 1: Halve the cherry tomatoes and tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces. Combine in a bowl.
- Step 2: Add the fresh basil and parsley leaves to the bowl.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper. Pour over the salad and toss to combine.
- Step 4: Top with toasted pine nuts and shaved Parmesan, if using. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Use regular tomatoes if cherry tomatoes are not available.
- Make-ahead: The salad can be made up to 1 hour ahead. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad becomes watery, drain excess liquid before serving.
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, as this is a cold salad.
- Microwave reheat: Not necessary, as this is a cold salad.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 1 hour ahead. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sat. Fat: 4g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Summer Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs FAQs
Yes, the salad can be made up to 1 hour ahead. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
This can happen if the tomatoes release too much liquid. To prevent this, use ripe but firm tomatoes and drain excess liquid before serving.
Yes, for a heartier salad, add grilled chicken or chickpeas.
Yes, this salad is naturally gluten-free.
If fresh herbs are not available, use 1 teaspoon of dried basil and 1/2 teaspoon of dried parsley.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Summer 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!
