Tomato feta salad combines sweet tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and creamy feta cheese for an easy side dish that’s perfectly simple and totally delicious. Make this tomato salad recipe in the summertime when the garden tomatoes are at their best.
I love a tomato salad recipe that plays on the sweet, savory, juicy perfection of the ripe summer fruit. Similar to Caprese and Cucumber and Tomato salad this tomato feta salad lets the best of fresh garden tomatoes shine.
In addition to juicy, ripe tomatoes I add creamy feta cheese, bright fresh herbs and a sprinkling of sumac — a spice that adds lemon notes for a distinctly Mediterranean flair.
I like to serve tomato feta salad on a big platter in the center of my table with crusty bread, pita or focaccia on the side. The salad ingredients will release a flavorful, herbal liquid begging you to sop it up with good bread. I’m telling you it’s almost as good as the salad. Almost!
Table of Contents
Tomato Feta Salad Ingredients
As simple as this tomato salad recipe is, it packs tons of flavor thanks to fresh herbs and a garlicky citrus dressing. I love to add big blocks of feta cheese for a creamy, salty finish (inspired by this traditional Greek salad). Here's what's in this tomato salad recipe:
- Tomatoes. Grab heavy tomatoes at your farmers market or grocery store, that’s how you know they will be juicy. If you have a garden, even better! Vine ripe, heirloom, Roma or a combination of the three can add color and flavor variety. Orange and yellow tomatoes tend to be less acidic. You could even throw in some halved cherry or grape tomatoes if you’d like.
- Onion and garlic. Two big flavor makers here! They bring the savory element.
- Fresh herbs. I used parsley and dill, but you could also throw in a bit of fresh mint or basil if you like.
- Seasoning. Kosher salt, black pepper, and a big dash of tangy sumac. Sumac is a spice that’s stocked in the typical Mediterranean pantry. You can leave it out, order it from our shop, or substitute with fresh lemon zest.
- Citrusy dressing. Juice of 1 lemon and 2 teaspoons of white wine vinegar provide the citrus in the dressing. They add brightness, while lightly marinating the tomatoes and onions. (Citrus will also tame the intensity of onions while the salad sits for a few minutes). And then we have a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil, which is a major flavor component of this dish. Use a smooth olive oil that’s full of personality but not too bitter, like our Early Harvest Greek Extra Virgin olive oil.
How to Make Tomato Feta Salad
I make this tomato feta salad the same way many home-cooked meals are thrown together on a sunny day near the Mediterranean Sea. There’s no need to measure every last pinch, whisk the dressing separately, or really do much fussing. Simply grab a platter and get started:
- Combine the fresh ingredients. Slice 6-7 ripe tomatoes into wedges. Thinly slice a medium red onion into half moons. Mince 3 garlic cloves (see our tips in our guide for how to mince garlic). Chop up enough parsley and dill to pack one cup of each. Throw all these pretty fruits and veggies into a large salad or mixing bowl and toss gently.
- Season the salad. Sprinkle on 2 ½ teaspoons of sumac. Season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Next, add the juice of one lemon, 2 teaspoons of white wine vinegar and ⅓ cup of extra virgin olive oil. Toss to combine. Taste a tomato and add more salt or pepper to your liking (if it tastes a little flat, add more seasoning).
- Serve. Transfer to a serving platter or bowl. Top with large pieces of feta cheese and grab some large serving spoons for the table.
How to Find the Best Tomatoes
As the star ingredient, the tomatoes need to be very ripe and flavorful. Sadly, many packaged tomatoes, which are perfectly fine cooked or on sandwiches, just don’t cut it in a raw tomato salad. Here are my handy tips for how to pick the best tomatoes, and how to store tomatoes:
- Avoid buying tomatoes from a refrigerated case. The cold temperature damages tomatoes and stops ripening.
- If you’re making this salad within a few days of buying tomatoes, store them on your counter (not your fridge). The fridge tends to dull tomatoes’ delicate flavor.
- Look for tomatoes that are plump and heavy for their size. This is a good sign that they’ll be juicy. Give them a very gentle squeeze to confirm they’re still fairly firm but with some give. The skin should be smooth without bruises or deep, open cracks. Heirloom varieties, however, can be multi-colored, ridged, and have deep grooves and that’s OK.
- Smell the tomatoes where the stem was attached. It should be fragrant and should smell somewhat sweet and earthy.
What to Serve with Tomato Feta Salad
Honestly, I could eat this for lunch all by myself, but sharing is a Mediterranean value so why not invite some friends over and have a party!
- Keep it simple and snacky by serving tomato feta salad with crusty bread from the store to capture all the juice—or better yet, make some freshly baked pita or focaccia.
- For the main course, the freshness and bold flavors of this tomato salad pair well with summery grilled meat and fish like grilled chicken thighs, or grilled salmon.
- For a vegetarian meal, serve tomato feta salad with your favorite grain. Try Spanakorizo (Greek spinach rice), Spanish rice and beans, or mujadara (lentils and rice with crispy onions).
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Tomato Feta Salad
Ingredients
- 6 to 7 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced into wedges (on-the-vine tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes preferred)
- 1 medium red onion, halved, then thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 packed cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1 packed cup chopped fresh dill
- 2 ½ teaspoons sumac
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Feta cheese, to your liking
Instructions
- Add the fresh ingredients. In a large salad or mixing bowl, gently toss together the tomatoes, onions, garlic, parsley, and dill.
- Season the salad. Add the sumac and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil. Toss to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- Serve. Transfer to a serving platter or bowl. Top with large pieces of quality feta cheese. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in a tight-lid container in the fridge for 2 days, but this salad is best served fresh and eaten right away. (Tomatoes don’t like the fridge.)
- If you don’t have sumac: Order this versatile spice from our shop, leave it off, or grate in fresh lemon zest in its place.
- Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils, honey, jams, and spices.
Nutrition
* This post originally appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2016 and has been recently updated with new information and media for readers benefit.
Hi,
Looks delicious. Can I substitute wine vinegar with something that's not alcoholic.
Regards,
AM
Hi, Abdul! Devin here from The Mediterranean Dish team. Feel free to use fresh lemon juice. Happy cooking!
Delicious salad!!! Some good quality bread is a must to soak up that delicious dressing and juices from the tomatoes! I added some cucumber and mint as well. The video however doesn’t show the addition of garlic? Just wanted to make sure I should be adding it, thanks!
Hi, Effy! Yes... definitely add the garlic if that is something you enjoy!
Went really well with a za'atar rubbed lamb steak and mashed potato
Awesome recipe awesome website
Thanks so much, Jerry!
I would give this 5 stars. I had heirloom tomatoes so needed to manage the extra moisture but …..the flavors…..outstanding…..
So fresh and good! Just love your recipes so easy.
I can’t find the video that made the red onion have less of a bite. You soaked it in something just don’t remember.
Hi, Alice. You can soak onions in cold water or some vinegar to help tame them a bit.
I made this recipe a while back and it was so fresh and delicious. I remember you did something to take the bite out of the red onion just don’t remember what it was.
Hi, Alice. Just marinating them in the citrus dressing will help calm that bite :).
Does the type of parsley used matter (i.e. flat vs curly leaf, etc)?
Hi, Elizabeth. No, it doesn't matter too much. We just find Italian, flat-leaf parsley a bit more flavorful.
This is sooo good! The only feta in my area has been cow milk but I found some when shopping elsewhere that was with sheep's milk It is so much better!
I added cucumber because I had an english one I needed to use.
Thanks so much, Colleen!
Outstanding. I used a much smaller amount of parsley and fresh dill because the fresh parsley was just too strong. I made this as a side dish along your recipe of garlic parmesan baked flounder. I'm a single person so these recipes are easy for me to modify. Thanks‼️
So glad you enjoyed it, Barbara!
Decided to try another one of your salads, and it's delicious! I used cherry tomatoes so I have the sweetness since they're not in season right now. I absolutely love the fresh herbs in your salad recipes, and the shirazi salad is still my favorite.
Thanks, Meliss!
You say to use red wine vinegar in one area, and then white wine vinegar in the recipe. Could you let me know if I should use red or white wine vinegar,
Thank you.
Hi, Suzanne. The White Wine Vinegar will work here. Enjoy!
Delicious! I've gotten so sick of lettuce-based salads for lunch! This, and other salad recipes I've found here, is such a great alternative! I didn't have sumac so I substituted with Za'atar and I think it works well. I also added tuna to round out the meal.
One of my very favorite summer salads. So good with the chicken kabobs I've also found here! Thanks, Suzy!
This is a good salad. My husband is Middle Eastern and him and the family loved it.
Thank you, Simone!
Thanks Suzy, literally having this 3 - 4 times a week for lunch! Fantastic recipe!
That's wonderful to hear! Thanks, Sam!
Husband loved this recipe. Will make again.
Great way to use fresh tomato’s from our farm share/garden.
Thanks, Amber!
I am not a HUGE tomato person, but with a bumper crop right now I wanted to do something different. This salad is amazing! Will be making it all summer.
Yay!!!! Thank you so much!
Hi, do you recommend any specific feta?
Hi, Rati! Just want to chime in here. I LOVE a good sheep's milk feta. I make a special trip to my local international market for it!
Fantastic salad! I used parsley, basil and mint and my husband loved it. Once my tomato plants start to produce I will be making this all summer! The feta is a perfect addition. Thank you Suzy!