Heirloom Tomato Salad with Dukkah and Mint

Don’t let summer pass you by without making this simple heirloom tomato salad! Add Mediterranean vibes with a lemon-garlic dressing and a sprinkle of dukkah—a nutty Egyptian condiment that brings the perfect crunch!

This heirloom tomato salad captures everything I love about eating the Mediterranean way on one plate: seasonal, fresh, bold, and super simple. Summer heirlooms are truly the star ingredient here, and with their vibrant color and rich flavor, you just need a few good pantry staples to make them sing!

One pantry ingredient you might not be familiar with is dukkah, a beloved spice blend from my childhood in Egypt. It’s a mix of warming spices like cumin and coriander, and seeds and nuts like hazelnuts and sesame. You know I had to put my own spin on this summertime classic!

Blends like dukkah are the Mediterranean’s secret to quick and easy dishes that bring a wow-factor. Here, the tomatoes are fresh and juicy, the dukkah is crunchy and fragrant, and a garlicky, lemony dressing kicked up with jalapeno is bold and spicy. Simple, yes, but far from boring!

Table of Contents

1. Heirloom Tomato Salad Ingredients
2. How to Make this Heirloom Tomato Salad 
3. What to Serve with Heirloom Tomato Salad
4. Use Heirloom Tomatoes in these Tomato Salad Recipes!
5. Heirloom Tomato Salad with Dukkah and Mint Recipe

Heirloom Tomato Salad Ingredients

You could make this heirloom tomato salad recipe without the dukkah, but I highly recommend giving it a try. Save in the freezer for topping salads, roast carrots, soups, or adding a special crust on fish or chicken. Here’s what else you’ll need:

• Garlic adds a kick to the dressing. If you don’t do raw garlic, swap with chopped shallot or sliced green onion.
• Lemon draws out the natural sweetness of the heirloom tomatoes. Fresh lime juice or 2-3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, Champagne vinegar, or sherry vinegar would also work. 
• Extra virgin olive oil: I like to match the jalapeño with a robust and peppery olive oil like our Spanish Hojiblanca. 
• Kosher salt and black pepper awaken the heirlooms’ flavors.
• Chili pepper: A layer of heat adds a deeper, more complex flavor. Jalapeno or ancho chilis tend to be mild enough to eat raw, especially if you remove the seeds. If you don’t like spicy, just skip this part. 
• Dukkah: Egypt’s famous blend of nuts, seeds, and warming spices like cumin, coriander, and cayenne. You can find it in the spice section of select grocery stores and Middle Eastern Markets, swap with another fragrant Mediterranean spice blend like za’atar, or make your own. For a nut-free option, skip the dukkah or top with crispy quinoa.
• Heirloom tomatoes: Any color or variety is great, just make sure the colors are deep and rich rather than muted. Feel free to swap in other juicy, flavorful tomatoes, or mix it up with a variety, like halved cherry tomatoes or some Roma wedges. 
• Mint: Adds a refreshing quality. Feel free to swap in other fresh and tender green herbs, like cilantro, parsley, or basil. Dried mint tends to be rather overpowering, so if you must substitute, start with a light sprinkle. 

How to Make this Heirloom Tomato Salad 

With Egyptian Dukkah at the ready, there are only two steps to make this heirloom tomato salad recipe. Here’s how it goes:

• Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 minced garlic cloves, the juice of 1 lemon, 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Add 1 thinly sliced jalapeno or ancho pepper, if you like spicy, and give it another whisk. 
• Dress and serve. Slice 3 large heirloom tomatoes into rounds (about 1/4-inch thick) and arrange on a large plate. Drizzle with as much of the dressing as you like. Top with dukkah and chopped fresh mint and serve.

What to Serve with Heirloom Tomato Salad

Serve this summer recipe with sunny summer mains like grilled salmon. Or, if you’re a big fan of spice, keep the heat going with Grilled Harissa Chicken. To drink, make an Egyptian-inspired night with Karkade, an iced hibiscus tea from my childhood. And for dessert, try something light and refreshing like a strawberry granita.

Use Heirloom Tomatoes in these Tomato Salad Recipes!

Salads

Tomato Salad with Feta and Fresh Herbs

Salads

Shopska Salad (Bulgarian Roast Pepper and Tomato Salad)

Salads

Mediterranean Salad with Tomato and Cucumber

Italian

Panzanella Salad (Bread and Tomato Salad) Recipe

*This post has recently been updated with new information for readers’ benefit.