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This simple, single serving tomato salad is fresh, flavorful, and comes together in minutes. Juicy tomatoes and crisp red onions are tossed in a light lemon and olive oil dressing, letting the ingredients shine. It’s the kind of salad you’ll want to make again and again—easy, delicious, and perfect for any meal.
Enjoy this fresh tomato salad on its own or pair it with baked chicken thighs, beef tenderloin, baked cod, or a bowl of hamburger soup for a complete meal. For extra flavor, add a spoonful of homemade pesto or hummus to the salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 10 minutes.
- Fresh & Flavorful: Juicy tomatoes, briny capers, and a bright dressing make every bite delicious.
- Versatile: Adjust the ingredients to suit your taste or whatever you have on hand.
- Great Anytime: Perfect for a light lunch, side dish, or a simple addition to any meal.
There’s something I love about a salad that lets simple ingredients do all the work. The tomatoes are juicy and sweet, the capers bring a little briny punch, and the dressing ties everything together without overpowering.
It’s the kind of recipe that feels effortless but tastes like you put real thought into it. And the best part? You can make it your own—toss in crisp cucumbers, add fresh basil, or sprinkle in some feta for a little extra saltiness. However you mix it up, this salad always delivers big flavor with minimal effort, and that’s exactly why I keep coming back to it.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this fresh tomato salad recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Tomatoes: Use any variety—regular, Roma, cherry, or heirloom—but make sure they’re ripe for the best flavor. Cut them into bite-sized pieces so they soak up the dressing. Have extra tomatoes? Use them in Ratatouille, Cioppino, or Chicken Caprese.
- Parsley: I prefer finely chopped curly parsley, but flat-leaf works too. Add as much as you like! Leftover parsley? Use it in Crab Cakes, Tabbouleh, or Chicken Margherita. Not a fan? Swap it for fresh cilantro or mint.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a little bite. Start with a few slices and adjust to taste. Use leftovers in a Smoked Salmon Platter, Cowboy Caviar, or a Greek Salad.
- Capers: These bring a tangy, briny flavor with a hint of lemon. Leftover capers? Add them to Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata. No capers? Use chopped kalamata olives or leave them out.
- Garlic: One minced or grated clove adds bold flavor with a slight bite. Adjust depending on how much garlic you like.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin is best for its bold flavor, but lighter olive oil works too.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh is best, but bottled works if that’s what you have.
- Salt & Pepper: Salt enhances the tomatoes and brings out their juices, while black pepper adds balance.
- Optional Add-ins: Try fresh basil, dill, feta cheese, or cucumber slices for extra flavor.
Tip: How to Choose the Best Tomatoes
For the best flavor, pick ripe tomatoes that are vibrant in color, firm but slightly soft to the touch, and fragrant with a sweet, fresh scent.
Avoid bruises, wrinkles, or musty odors. If not using them right away, choose slightly underripe tomatoes and let them ripen at room temperature for better sweetness.
Whenever possible, choose organic or locally grown tomatoes for the freshest taste.
How To Make A Tomato Salad
These photos show how to make a quick tomato salad. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full instructions.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix the chopped or sliced tomato, red onion, parsley, and capers.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the tomato mixture and gently toss to coat.
- Adjust the Seasoning: Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed.
Expert Tips
- Choose ripe tomatoes. The better the tomato, the better the salad.
- Adjust to taste. Use more or less onion, capers, and garlic based on your preference.
- Go easy on the dressing. Too much can overpower the tomatoes. Use a little at first and pour more on as needed.
- Let it sit. If you have time, let the salad rest for 15 minutes to enhance the flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but for the best flavor, let it sit for about 15 minutes before serving. If making it hours in advance, store it in the fridge and add the dressing just before serving.
It’s best eaten fresh but can be stored in the fridge for up to one day. The tomatoes will release juices, so drain excess liquid before serving.
Toss in cooked chicken, shrimp, or canned tuna for extra protein. You can also add chickpeas or white beans for a plant-based option.
More Single Serving Salad Recipes
If you love quick and flavorful salads, here are a few more to try:
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad: A hearty mix of roasted sweet potatoes and black beans with a touch of spice.
- Mexican Street Corn Salad: Charred corn, Cotija cheese, and a creamy dressing bring bold flavor in every bite.
- Broccoli Salad: Crisp broccoli tossed in a tangy dressing with bacon and sunflower seeds for crunch.
- Macaroni Salad: A creamy, classic favorite with just the right amount of crunch.
- Ambrosia Salad: A sweet, fluffy mix of pineapple, citrus, and mini marshmallows.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this small tomato salad or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
Tomato Salad For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large tomato -chopped or sliced
- 3 thin slices red onions
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix the chopped tomato, red onion, parsley, and capers.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the tomato mixture and gently toss to coat.
- Adjust the Seasoning: Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed.
Notes
- Choose ripe tomatoes. The better the tomato, the better the salad.
- Adjust to taste. Use more or less onion, capers, and garlic based on your preference.
- Go easy on the dressing. Too much can overpower the tomatoes. Use a little at first and pour more on as needed.
- Let it sit. If you have time, let the salad rest for 15 minutes to enhance the flavor.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I so appreciate your recipes – – use them all the time. AND….. they are good!
I live alone, am 84 years old – enjoy cooking and again, thank you.
Always look forward to your new recipe posts.
I added some cubed cucumber. Delicious!!!
One of my favorites! I use some of your add on ideas when I have them.
So glad to hear you’re enjoying the tomato salad and making it your own with the add-on ideas! Fresh ingredients really do make all the difference. Keep experimenting and thanks for the love!
Light, fresh and oh so GOOD!
Love the salad and the dressing!
Excellent, thank you. I added chopped avocado and cucumber, served it over greens. It was perfect alongside my peas omelette and basmati rice. Thank you for all your wonderful mini recipes.
I make something similar only I use tomatoes, kalamata olives, capers, onions, basil, and bits of mozzarella
Thank you for your excellent recipes. You have been there for me through COVID. I enjoyed trying your Recipes for One. They were quick and easy and I looked forward to a different treat every day. Ingredients were easy to find in my cupboard so less running to the store during the pandemic. 😋
I’m so happy our recipes have been helpful to you, Marie. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know.