3 Cheese Marinated Tomatoes Salad [+Video]

A marinated tomatoes salad like you’ve never had before! Garden picked juicy tomatoes marinated in a sweet tangy balsamic dressing full of fresh herbs, lots of garlic and of course, three cheeses.

Years and years ago a friend gave us a recipe for a 4 cheese margherita pizza that has been knocking socks off for years now. But this summer after visiting my mom and dad and their incredible garden, I told Cade that something traditionally on our pizza would be killer as a salad.

Our 3 Cheese Marinated Tomatoes Salad was born after testing a few ideas on a tomato salad. It is awesome along side our grilled BBQ chicken or perfectly smoked brisket!

Here’s the thing though, all the tomato salad recipes on pinterest are all pretty much the same; tomatoes with olive oil, vinegar, red onion and herbs. But I wanted more. I wanted depth of flavor!

Cue the balsamic vinegar, 3 different cheeses and of course, plenty of garlic.

But even then it wasn’t perfect.

Ahhhh, it needed time.

Roasted Tomato Salad

Roasting the tomatoes in the oven allow more flavor to come out, but a cold salad couldn’t be baked, so we needed time to really soak all of that flavor together.

Ta-da!! 3 Cheese Marinated Tomatoes Salad in all of its glory. And best of all, because it needs time that means you get to prep this recipe ahead of time!

How to Make 3 Cheese Marinated Tomatoes Salad

Let’s jump right into this recipe so that you can get started and let the marinating begin!

1. Prep the tomatoes: slice the tomatoes about 1/2 inch thick and arrange them in a dish.
2. Make the dressing: place all of the ingredients for the dressing (olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, honey, garlic, parmesan cheese, parsley, basil, salt and pepper) in a glass measuring cup and then whisk vigorously to emulsify the dressing.
3. Marinate: pour the dressing over the tomatoes, cover the dish, and allow it to marinate on the countertop for 2-3 hours. If you need more time, marinate the tomatoes in the refrigerator. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
4. Make it cheesy: add the mozzarella and feta cheeses and additional fresh chopped herbs. Add more salt and pepper if desired.

Whatever you do, don’t skimp on the marinating time! This is what makes it the bomb!

What Type of Tomatoes Should be Used?

The short answer is fresh garden tomatoes. Whatever is your favorite…use it! We like romas or heirloom tomatoes. Grape tomatoes also work great. Just make sure they are fresh from the garden or from a vegetable stand and not store bought! It will make all the difference!

Will Tomatoes Ripen After Picking?

Yes, tomatoes continue to ripen after they’ve been picked. Fruits, including tomatoes, produce ethylene gas which promotes ripening.

Will Tomatoes Keep Longer in the Refrigerator?

Ripe tomatoes should be kept on the counter, uncovered at room temperature if you are planning to eat them in the next day or two. If you don’t plan to eat them for a few days, then you will want to refrigerate them. Tomatoes do start to lose flavor in the refrigerator, so it’s better to use them before you need to refrigerate them.

Are Tomatoes High in Sugar?

Tomatoes are made up of simple naturally occurring sugars, but they are not high in sugar.

What are the Health Benefits of Tomatoes?

Tomatoes have numerous health benefits including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer and controlling blood pressure. They are also beneficial for skin health.

Tomatoes are a great source of fiber, vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.

What Cheese Can You Substitute for Feta?

The closest cheese in taste and texture to feta is ricotta though it won’t be quite as salty. Another good option is queso fresco or halloumi. If it’s the taste of feta that you are not a fan of, just double down on the mozzarella and skip the feta.

Will Tomatoes Cause Heartburn?

Tomatoes are highly acidic, so if you are prone to heartburn from acidic foods, then chances are tomatoes won’t agree with you. Sometimes foods are so good they are worth the risk of heartburn, but pop a Pepcid just in case and dig into this marinated tomatoes salad!

You know it’s summer time when the fresh garden tomatoes start coming in! Marinated tomatoes is a great way to taste that delicious tomato flavor in a side dish you won’t be able to resist! And let’s not forget the 3 cheeses! Everything is better with feta, mozzarella and parmesan!

What to Serve as a Main Dish

• Instant Pot Short Ribs
• Bottom of the Jar Chicken
• Garlic Parmesan Chicken

More SALAD RECIPES You’ll Love:

• Southern English Pea Salad
• Green Beans and Tomatoes
• Grilled Corn Avocado Tomato Salad
• Grilled Peach Avocado Caprese Salad
• Garden Balsamic Avocado Salad
• Easy Tomato Mozzarella Salad
• Farmer John Pesto Garden Salad
• Dill Pea and Cucumber Salad
• All our SALAD RECIPES!

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