Tomato Vinaigrette: The Zesty Dressing You Need

Tomato Vinaigrette is one of my go-to dressings when I want something bright, tangy, and full of fresh flavor.

Tomato vinaigrette recipe

Tomato vinaigrette is a flavorful salad dressing from Mediterranean cuisine, where tomatoes and olive oil form the cornerstone of many dishes. It’s made with ripe tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, herbs, and spices.

Tomato dressing balances the natural sweetness of tomatoes with the tang of vinegar and the richness of olive oil. It’s bright, fresh, and rich in antioxidants and vitamins. You can make it all year round.

This vinaigrette can be used as a salad dressing, a topping for grilled meats or fish, a marinade, or even a sauce for crusty bread or fresh mozzarella. It’s suitable for Mediterranean-style dishes, light summer meals, and as a flavorful alternative to creamy dressings or heavy sauces.

The tomato salad dressing can be made with fresh, roasted, charred, or sun-dried tomatoes. Roasting and charring enhance sweetness and complexity, while drying concentrates umami and savoriness. I’ll use fresh tomatoes to make it simple.

Here’s how to make the tomato vinaigrette:

Tomato vinaigrette

A vibrant, tangy tomato vinaigrette that combines fresh tomatoes, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and aromatic herbs. Ready in minutes, this homemade vinaigrette is both light and flavorful.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Condiment

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4

Nutrition

Calories: 100kcalCarbohydrates: 3gFat: 9gSugar: 1.5g

Ingredients

  

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• 1 medium ripe tomato diced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup optional, for a touch of sweetness
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil or oregano chopped (optional)

Instructions

 

• Place the diced tomato in a small bowl and gently mash it with a fork to release some of the juices.
• Add the olive oil, vinegar, minced garlic, and honey (if using). Stir to combine.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix in fresh herbs, if desired.
• Whisk or stir until everything is well combined and slightly emulsified.
• Serve immediately over your favorite salad, grilled vegetables, or as a marinade.

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Keyword fruit vinaigrette, healthy salad dressing, homemade salad dressing, low-calorie dressing, tomato vinaigrette

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Variations

Tomato salad dressing offers endless variations, each adding unique flavors to salads and dishes.

1. Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette roasts tomatoes for sweetness, umami notes, deeper color and richer texture.
2. Tomato Balsamic Vinaigrette
   • Add ½ teaspoon of Dijon mustard to balance the sweetness of balsamic.
   • Use 1 medium fresh tomato, diced.
   • Replace red wine vinegar with 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.
3. Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
   • Replace tomato with 2-3 tablespoons of sun-dried tomatoes in oil (drained and finely chopped).
   • Reduce olive oil to 2 tablespoons since the sun-dried tomatoes add richness.
4. Cherry Tomatoes
   • Use ½ cup of halved cherry tomatoes.
   • Adjust salt and pepper to taste, as cherry tomatoes can be sweeter than regular ones.
5. Charred Tomato Vinaigrette
   • Charred tomatoes on a grill or in a skillet until blackened, then roughly chopped.
   • Add a small pinch of smoked paprika for a deeper flavor.
6. Smoked Version
   • Use 1 medium fresh tomato, diced.
   • Add a few drops of liquid smoke or 1/8 teaspoon of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky note.