Fresh Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad: Best Feta Recipe
A bright, simple salad where salt draws out natural tomato juices to create an instant vinaigrette, combined with salty feta, olive oil, and fresh basil for a perfect palate reset.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled or cubed
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced finely
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, torn
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry the cherry tomatoes thoroughly. Slice each tomato in half (or quarter if large) and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle the kosher salt and dried oregano evenly over the cut tomatoes. Toss gently to coat every piece.
- Let the salted tomatoes sit for 10 minutes to draw out juices. Do not skip this step.
- Drizzle the olive oil and red wine vinegar over the tomatoes. Add the minced garlic and black pepper. Toss vigorously to emulsify the dressing with the tomato juices.
- Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese, being careful not to crush it.
- Let the salad sit for another 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Just before serving, tear the fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them over the top. Toss lightly and serve immediately at room temperature.
Notes
Serve at room temperature for best flavor. Do not refrigerate for too long before serving as cold tomatoes lose flavor. If tomatoes are too watery, you can drain some liquid, but keeping it creates a natural dressing. Can be made dairy-free by substituting feta with vegan alternatives or tofu.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: cherry tomato salad, feta salad, marinated tomatoes, summer salad, gluten-free side dish, quick salad, Mediterranean recipe