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Warm Cherry Tomato and Basil Salad is delicious and flavorful, easy side salad dish. The flavor of sweet cherry tomatoes are enhanced when they are sautéed with garlic and basil. A white wine vinaigrette is made in the pan that coats all the tomatoes perfectly.

A closeup of red and yellow cherry tomatoes with small fresh basil leaves

Cherry tomatoes never fail to deliver in sweet flavor. Whether raw in salads, or warm like in this recipe. With summer over, we’re starting to transition into warmer, more comforting dishes and this recipe fits the bill perfectly because a warm salad is so much more satisfying when it’s cold outside.

Cherry tomato and basil salad from overhead

Another warm salad I love is Warm Buffalo Chicken Salad is a complete meal in itself.

A quick and easy side dish that will complement any entrée. Sweet cherry tomatoes, sautéed in olive oil, garlic, white wine and basil.

Slightly garlic-y, the tomatoes still have a bite to them. You want to make sure you just warm the tomatoes through without softening them, because once the skin pops, the tomatoes start to break down and get mushy.

A white serving dish with fresh arugula topped with warm cherry tomato and basil salad using red and yellow tomatoes

On the day I made this salad, I served it for dinner as a side salad to Traditional Welsh Rarebit, the BEST open-faced grilled cheese made with a beer cheese sauce. So good!

Serve over fresh salad greens, my choice is baby arugula, this Warm Cherry Tomato Salad makes its own dressing in the pan. Perfect as a side dish or a main salad (just add rotisserie chicken or shrimp). You can also toss with pasta.

Tomato salad dressing

I like to use light flavored olive oil for the dressing because the flavor of darker olive oil is too over powering. Along with a little garlic flavor, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper.

I grow my own basil (there’s nothing better) and instead of chopping or tearing large leaves, I used the smallest of the leaves and left them whole.

Yield: 4

Warm Cherry Tomato and Basil Salad

Red and yellow cherry tomatoes served warm on a plate with greens and basil

This warm cherry tomato salad is delicious and flavorful salad side dish. The flavor of sweet cherry tomatoes are enhanced when they are sautéed with garlic, white wine and fresh basil.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons light olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, grated or finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) red and yellow cherry tomatoes
  • 1 1/4 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup (20 grams) fresh basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Heat a large, 12-inch skillet over low heat, add the olive oil.
  2. Add the garlic to the pan and cook for 2 minutes stirring, do not allow to burn, you just want to lightly cook the garlic and flavor the oil.
  3. Add the tomatoes and toss until well coated with oil, cook for 3 minutes until warmed through, don't allow them to soften.
  4. Add the vinegar, salt and pepper, cook for 1 more minute, stirring the tomatoes. Add the basil leaves and toss, serve warm.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 57Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 0mgSodium 269mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 1g

This nutrition calculation is provided by Nutronix that is only a guideline and not intended for any particular diet.

© Janette
Cuisine: American / Category: Side dishes