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If you love vibrant, zesty flavors that brighten up any meal, you are going to fall head over heels for this Garlicky Marinated Tomato Salad Recipe. Imagine juicy roma tomatoes soaked in a lively blend of garlic, herbs, and just the right balance of tangy vinegar and gentle sweetness. It’s comfort and freshness in every bite, an irresistible side dish that’s perfect for summer gatherings or anytime you want to turn simple ingredients into something truly spectacular.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This salad sings because of its straightforward but thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each component plays its role: the tomatoes bring juicy sweetness, the garlic adds a bold punch, and the herbs infuse a fresh, aromatic lift. The balance between vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and salt ties everything together, creating a harmony of tastes that make this dish unforgettable.
- 4 1/2 lbs medium roma tomatoes: Choose ripe but firm ones for perfect texture and sweetness.
- 2 bell peppers (any color): Seeded and chopped into large pieces to add crunch and vibrant color.
- 2 jalapeños (or 5 tiny hot peppers): Include seeds if you like spice or remove them for mild heat.
- 1 large garlic head (or 2 medium heads): About 16-20 cloves, peeled for that signature garlicky kick.
- 1 bunch dill (1/2 cup chopped): Fresh or frozen, dill brings a subtle, crisp freshness.
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley: Adds earthiness and a lovely green brightness.
- 1/2 cup olive oil: Provides richness and helps distribute flavors evenly.
- 1/2 cup white vinegar: Gives the salad its tangy soul and acts as a natural preservative.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Balances the acidity with a gentle sweetness.
- 2 1/2 Tbsp salt (sea salt, not iodized): Enhances all the natural flavors without overpowering them.
How to Make Garlicky Marinated Tomato Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Herb and Pepper Marinade
The very first step sets the tone for the entire dish. Toss your chopped bell peppers, jalapeños, whole peeled garlic cloves, fresh dill, and parsley into a food processor or blender. Pulse until everything is finely chopped but still retains some texture, so you get an even distribution of bold, garlicky herb flavor in each bite.
Step 2: Bring the Marinade Together
Transfer your fragrant pepper and herb mixture into a medium bowl. Add vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and sea salt, then stir everything together carefully. This perfect mix of flavors—tart from the vinegar, smooth from the oil, sweet from the sugar, and salty to balance—creates the marinade that will soak into the tomatoes and transform their natural sweetness into something extraordinary.
Step 3: Prepare the Tomatoes
Next up, cut your roma tomatoes in halves or quarters depending on their size, trimming off the fibrous stem tops. This step ensures the tomatoes can absorb the marinade fully. Layer these tomato pieces with the marinade inside a large one-gallon jar. Alternate tomatoes and marinade carefully until the jar is full. This layering helps the flavors infuse throughout every piece of tomato.
Step 4: Marinate and Refrigerate
Seal the jar tightly with its lid, then carefully turn it upside down. Place it over a plate to catch any drips. Refrigerate the jar in this inverted position for 12 hours. This allows the marinade to penetrate deeply, soaking the tomatoes with that fantastic garlicky punch. After the 12 hours, flip the jar right side up and the salad is ready to enjoy. Keep the jar refrigerated right side up to save any leftovers.
How to Serve Garlicky Marinated Tomato Salad Recipe
Garnishes
When serving this salad, a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or dill on top really amps up the fresh herbal notes. If you want an extra punch, add thinly sliced red onions or a few cracked black peppercorns. A drizzle of good-quality olive oil right before serving also enhances its luscious texture and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
This Garlicky Marinated Tomato Salad Recipe pairs beautifully with grilled meats, crusty bread, and creamy cheeses like feta or mozzarella. Think barbecue, picnics, or even a simple weeknight dinner where this salad can shine alongside roasted chicken, fish, or a refreshing grain bowl.
Creative Ways to Present
For a show-stopping presentation, serve the salad in clear glass bowls to showcase the vibrant red tomatoes and colorful peppers nestled in the glossy marinade. Alternatively, create individual portions in mason jars layered with fresh greens or on a bed of mixed salad leaves for a casual but elegant touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This salad actually gets better with time, as the tomatoes continue to soak up those incredible garlicky, herby flavors. Store leftovers in a tightly sealed jar or container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 5 to 7 days for best freshness and flavor.
Freezing
Because of the fresh tomato texture, freezing is not recommended for the Garlicky Marinated Tomato Salad Recipe. The tomatoes will turn mushy upon thawing and lose that delightful firmness that makes this salad so delicious.
Reheating
This recipe is best served chilled or at room temperature. Reheating is not necessary and may diminish the fresh flavors and crisp texture, so simply enjoy it cold as it’s designed.
FAQs
Can I use other types of tomatoes?
Yes! While roma tomatoes are ideal for their firm texture and sweetness, you can use cherry or heirloom tomatoes. Just cut them into appropriate sizes so they soak up the marinade well without falling apart.
How spicy will the salad be with jalapeños?
The heat level depends on how many peppers you use and whether you keep the seeds. For a milder dish, remove the seeds or reduce the number of jalapeños. Keeping the seeds gives it a nice garlicky heat kick without overwhelming the acidity or sweetness.
Can I make this salad vegan?
Absolutely! This Garlicky Marinated Tomato Salad Recipe is naturally vegan since it’s based on fresh veggies, herbs, and a simple marinade of olive oil and vinegar—perfect for plant-based eating.
How long should I marinate the tomatoes?
A minimum of 12 hours in the refrigerator upside down is key to letting the flavors soak in completely. Overnight is ideal, but if you’re short on time, at least 6 hours will still yield a tasty salad.
Is this recipe suitable for canning?
This salad is designed as a fresh refrigerator pickle-style dish, so it’s not intended for traditional canning. The raw garlic and fresh herbs do not handle heat processing well, and it’s best enjoyed fresh for safety and flavor.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a dish that bursts with flavor and makes the most of simple ingredients, you must give this Garlicky Marinated Tomato Salad Recipe a try. It’s the kind of recipe that turns heads at the table and keeps everyone coming back for more. Fresh, tangy, sweet, and bursting with garlicky goodness, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser you’ll want in your regular rotation.
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Garlicky Marinated Tomato Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 720 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 720 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Garlicky Marinated Tomato Salad is a vibrant and flavorful side dish featuring roma tomatoes marinated in a garlicky, herb-infused mixture of bell peppers, jalapeños, fresh dill, parsley, olive oil, white vinegar, sugar, and sea salt. The salad requires no cooking and is best served chilled after marinating, offering a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors ideal for summer gatherings or as a zesty accompaniment to any meal.
Ingredients
Vegetables & Herbs
- 4 1/2 lbs medium roma tomatoes, rinsed
- 2 bell peppers, any color, seeded and chopped into large pieces
- 2 jalapeños (or 5 tiny hot peppers with seeds)
- 1 large garlic head (16–20 cloves) or 2 medium heads, cloves peeled
- 1 bunch fresh dill (about 1/2 cup chopped) or frozen
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
Marinade
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 Tbsp sea salt (about 50 grams, not iodized)
Instructions
- Prepare the Herb and Pepper Mixture: Combine chopped bell peppers, jalapeños, whole peeled garlic cloves, fresh dill, and parsley into a large food processor or blender. Pulse several times until the mixture is finely chopped but not pureed, creating a flavorful herb and pepper base for the salad.
- Make the Marinade: Transfer the finely chopped mixture into a medium mixing bowl. Add white vinegar, olive oil, granulated sugar, and sea salt. Stir thoroughly until the sugar and salt dissolve, and the marinade ingredients are well combined.
- Prepare the Tomatoes: Cut the roma tomatoes in halves or quarters, trimming off the fibrous stem tops to ensure clean pieces that absorb the marinade effectively.
- Layer Tomatoes and Marinade in Jar: Take a large 1-gallon jar and alternate layers of cut tomatoes with layers of the prepared marinade, filling the jar fully. This layering ensures every tomato piece is evenly coated and marinated.
- Marinate and Refrigerate: Secure the jar with its lid and tighten it well. Turn the jar upside-down and place it over a plate to catch any possible leaks. Refrigerate the jar in this inverted position for 12 hours to allow the flavors to meld deeply.
- Serve: After 12 hours, flip the jar right side-up. The garlicky marinated tomato salad is now ready to serve. Enjoy it directly from the jar or transfer to a serving bowl. Keep any leftovers refrigerated upright.
Notes
- Turning the jar upside-down while marinating helps evenly distribute the marinade over the tomatoes.
- Use sea salt instead of iodized salt to avoid any unwanted metallic taste and ensure authentic flavor.
- The marinating time of 12 hours is crucial for the flavors to develop fully; however, it can be refrigerated longer for a more intense taste.
- This salad contains raw garlic and jalapeños, so adjust the quantity of peppers to control spice level as desired.
- Use a glass jar for marinating to prevent any metallic interaction with acidic ingredients.
