Tomato Salad With Garlic Dressing

Easy tomato salad recipe with garlic dressing, vinegar, and herbs. Perfect as a vibrant side dish or a juicy bruschetta topping.

Jump to: ℹ️ Overview | 🛒 Ingredients | 📷 How To Make | 📹 Watch The Video | 👩‍🍳 Recipe Tips | 🥗 Serving Suggestions | 📝 Full Recipe Card | 🍽 More Salad Recipes

This garlicky tomato salad has been passed around my family table for generations. Honestly, it always felt too simple to warrant a full recipe post — just ripe tomatoes, garlic, vinegar, a pinch of sugar, olive oil, salt. That’s it. But every time I make it, someone asks for the “secret sauce.”

So here it is: my no-fuss, big-flavor tomato salad with garlic dressing. It’s fresh, juicy, tangy-sweet, and a little bit punchy from the garlic — just how we like it. The trick is all in the balance and timing. Low-calorie, naturally gluten-free, and full of vitamins, it’s the easiest side dish that somehow steals the show. Once you try it, you’ll get why it’s been in my back pocket all these years.

👩‍🍳 You might also like these tomato recipes: tomato Florentine soup, stewed tomatoes, roasted tomato soup, tomato ricotta salad, and check out these 40 recipes with fresh tomatoes.

What You’ll Need

Here is what you’ll need for this tomato salad recipe. Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.

• Fresh tomatoes: Thick slices of juicy, ripe tomatoes are the heart of this dish. Use in-season for best results. Heirloom, vine-ripened, or even mixed varieties work beautifully.
• Fresh garlic: Has to be fresh (not the stuff out of the jar or powder). It brings the sharp kick that balances the sweetness of tomatoes.
• White wine vinegar: Adds a clean, bright acidity that lemon juice just doesn’t. Red wine vinegar is a fine backup.
• Sugar: it brings out the tomatoes’ natural sweetness and soften the vinegar’s bite.
• Olive oil: Use good extra-virgin olive oil if you can. Adds richness and rounds out the dressing.
• Black pepper: Adds a little warmth and edge.
• Flaky sea salt: Go generous. It adds texture and brings all the flavors into focus. Don’t use fine salt as it will melt in seconds.
• Fresh herbs: Basil or parsley for a final hit of color and freshness.

How To Make Tomato Salad With Garlic Dressing

Find the full recipe and nutritional information below. Here are some handy step-by-step photos for how to make my family’s favorite tomato salad.

• Slice your tomatoes into thick, juicy rounds and layer on a serving platter.
• Whisk together garlic, vinegar, sugar, and olive oil in a small bowl.
• Pour the dressing evenly over the tomatoes.
• Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and black pepper.
• Garnish with herbs. Done and done.

Watch The Video

Recipe Tips

• Make-ahead? You can! Let it sit for 15–30 minutes to let the flavors marinate, it gets even juicier.
• Storage: Best fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
• Variations: Add sliced red onions or shallots for more bite. Crumble over some feta or torn mozzarella for a bit of creamy contrast. Swap herbs (try dill or chives). Use cherry tomatoes, halved, for a more rustic style.

Serving Suggestions

This salad is made for grilled sourdough or bruschetta bread—something crusty to soak up those glorious garlicky juices. Also dreamy next to grilled meats (like these grilled chicken tenders), roast chicken, or even spooned over whipped ricotta on toast. I’ve even thrown leftovers into a pasta salad (such as my elote pasta salad and tuna and pasta salad) and had zero regrets.

💬 If you’ve tried this garlicky tomato salad or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and or sign up to my Newsletter to see more of my delicious food.