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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Published: Feb 6, 2023 by Kelly Bloom · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Italian Tomato Salad

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Italian tomato salad dressed with balsamic vinegar.

    This simple yet vibrant Italian tomato salad brings together an array of fresh ingredients - plump heirloom tomatoes, herb toasted Italian bread, and fresh basil chiffonade. This rustic Panzanella style Italian bread salad recipe is drenched with summer sunshine and flavor!

    Italian tomato salad dressed with balsamic vinegar.

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    Whether you’re in the mood for a snack or are looking to impress your guests with a starter course at your next dinner party, this colorful salad is sure to bring smiles around the table. This classic dish combines fresh, ripe heirloom tomatoes, olives, herbs, garlic, oil and vinegar for a tangy dressing that really brings out the colors of all its components.

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make this Italian Tomato Salad
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • Storage
    • Tips for Success
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Food Safety
    • Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
    • Connect with Smells Like Delish!
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients

    With just a few ingredients, you can make this easy Italian tomato salad and inject fresh flavor, color, and texture to your next meal.

    ingredients for making an Italian tomato salad.
    • Italian Bread - cut into cubes.
    • Garlic Powder
    • Salt - look for a sea salt in a grinder.
    • Pepper - fresh cracked pepper is the best flavor.
    • Thyme leaves - fresh cut thyme leaves.
    • Heirloom Tomatoes - fresh ripened heirloom tomatoes in a variety of colors.
    • Basil leaves - fresh, cut into a chiffonade.
    • Parmesan or Asiago Cheese - grated fine for garnish.
    • Balsamic Vinegar - look for a thick, well aged balsamic vinegar.
    • Olive oil - for this type of recipe, choose a nice fruity extra virgin olive oil.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    How to Make this Italian Tomato Salad

    Use this section for process shots, alternating between the step and image showing the step. Users don't like seeing process shots cluttering up the recipe card, so include your process shots here.

    Cut the Bread

    1. Cut the Italian bread up in large squares or chunks. Day old bread is better as it is not as soft and takes longer to soak up the salad dressing. You can also use crusty sourdough bread.
    baguette bread cubed on a cutting board.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Season the Bread

    1. Place the bread chunks in a large mixing bowl or salad bowl. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme. You can also use some dried Italian seasoning mix if you don't have fresh herbs.
    baguette bread cubed in a bowl.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Cut the Heirloom Tomatoes

    1. Cut each heirloom tomato in half, then quarter. Then cut each quarter in half. Add to medium mixing bowl.
    2. Season with ground pepper, salt, grated cheese, and chiffonade cut fresh basil leaves.
    quartered and seasoned rainbow tomatoes in a bowl.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Toss with Dressing

    1. Toss tomatoes in their bowl and then transfer them to the salad bowl of seasoned bread cubes.
    2. Mix equal parts of a thick balsamic vinegar with a good extra virgin olive oil.
    3. Pour on top of the tomatoes and toss with the bread. Adjust salt, pepper, and additional fresh basil. Serve immediately and enjoy.
    Italian tomato salad dressed with balsamic vinegar.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve this colorful Italian tomato salad with your next pasta entree, or with your favorite grilled meats. For some great ideas to pair with, consider our Pan Grilled Steakhouse Pork Chops, Creamy Baked Gnocchi, Old Fashioned Stuffed Peppers, and Garlic and Olive Oil Pasta.

    Italian tomato salad dressed with balsamic vinegar.

    Substitutions & Variations

    I've made this Italian tomato salad recipe using heirloom cherry tomatoes, as well as the addition of chopped cucumbers. Just about any tomatoes and fresh garden produce will mix well for a fabulous Italian bread salad in the Panzanella style.

    Storage

    This Italian tomato salad recipe will not hold up for more than about 12 hours, tops. Make up only as much as you need. If you do have leftovers, remove the bread cubes, as they will just get soggy. You can add more bread and dressing to refresh the seasoned tomatoes for a later serving.

    Tips for Success

    • If all you have is fresh bread, cut the cubes and set on a baking tray in a 200 F oven for about 30 minutes. It will dry some of the moisture out of the bread.
    • Fresh basil and fresh herbs taste the best with this type of salad, but you can use dried herbs if that is all you have.
    • Look for firm tomatoes without soft spots. Heirloom make the prettiest color in the bowl.
    • Prepare this Italian tomato salad recipe no more than a few hours before serving.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the chiffonade cut?

    Chiffonade is a French cooking technique used to finely cut herbs or leafy green vegetables (including basil, sage, mint, spinach, lettuce) into long, thin strips. Chiffonades can be used as garnishes in pasta, pizza, salads, and more.

    What is a panzanella salad?

    Panzanella is a fresh salad dish that goes back to the peasant habit of soaking Tuscan stale bread and mixing it with garden vegetables, oil, and vinegar. The term Panzanella comes from the combination of two words “pane” (bread) and “zanella” (soup bowl).

    Food Safety

    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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    📖 Recipe

    Italian tomato salad dressed with balsamic vinegar.
    Print Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 1 vote

    Italian Tomato Salad

    This simple yet vibrant Italian tomato salad brings together an array of fresh ingredients - plump heirloom tomatoes, herb toasted Italian bread, and fresh basil chiffonade. This rustic panzanella style Italian bread salad recipe is drenched with summer sunshine and flavor!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time0 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Salads
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 343kcal
    Author: Kelly Bloom

    Ingredients

    • ½ loaf Italian bread or 2 crusty baguettes
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper fresh cracked
    • 1 teaspoon thyme leaves fresh
    • 6 large tomatoes heirloom variety, cut into eighths
    • 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese or Asiago, shredded
    • ½ cup basil fresh leaves, chiffonade cut
    • ½ cup balsamic vinegar thick, aged balsamic vinegar
    • ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Cut the Italian bread up in large squares or chunks. Day old bread is better as it is not as soft and takes longer to soak up the salad dressing. You can also use crusty sourdough bread.
      ½ loaf Italian bread
    • Place the bread chunks in a large mixing bowl or salad bowl. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme. You can also use some dried Italian seasoning mix if you don't have fresh herbs.
      ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
    • Cut each heirloom tomato in half, then quarter. Then cut each quarter in half. Add to medium mixing bowl.
      6 large tomatoes
    • Season with ground pepper, salt, grated cheese, and chiffonade cut fresh basil leaves.
      ½ cup basil, 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
    • Toss tomatoes in their bowl and then transfer them to the salad bowl of seasoned bread cubes.
    • Mix equal parts of a thick balsamic vinegar with a good extra virgin olive oil.
      ½ cup balsamic vinegar, ¼ cup olive oil
    • Pour on top of the tomatoes and toss with the bread. Adjust salt, pepper, and additional fresh basil. Serve immediately and enjoy.

    Notes

    • If all you have is fresh bread, cut the cubes and set on a baking tray in a 200 F oven for about 30 minutes. It will dry some of the moisture out of the bread.
    • Fresh basil and fresh herbs taste the best with this type of salad, but you can use dried herbs if that is all you have.
    • Look for firm tomatoes without soft spots. Heirloom make the prettiest color in the bowl.
    • Prepare this Italian tomato salad recipe no more than a few hours before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 343kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 348mg | Potassium: 548mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 1638IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg
    Keyword : italian bread salad, italian tomato salad, italian tomato salad recipe, panzanella salad

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    Hi, I'm Kelly! and I have a love affair with herbs & spices! Here at Smells Like Delish, I'm all about creating food that has three aspects: flavor, aroma, and texture - to create satisfying fare!

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