Ina Garten’s Heirloom Tomato Salad Recipe for a Garden-Fresh Bite

Heirloom tomato salad bursts with vibrant colors and garden-fresh flavors that transform an ordinary meal into a culinary celebration.

Summer’s most beautiful produce takes center stage in this simple yet elegant dish.

Ripe, juicy tomatoes blend seamlessly with delicate herbs and creamy cheese for a sensational experience.

Each colorful slice promises intense, sun-ripened taste that dances across your palate.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients create a harmonious symphony of textures and aromas that feel both sophisticated and comforting.

Effortless preparation means you can craft a restaurant-quality appetizer without complicated techniques or expensive equipment.

Fresh ingredients elevate this classic salad from ordinary to extraordinary, making it perfect for impromptu gatherings or refined dinner parties: Get ready to impress.

Storing Tomato Salad Without Losing Juice

• Chill Strategically: Transfer salad to a shallow, wide container that minimizes crushing delicate tomatoes. Place a paper towel on top to absorb excess moisture before sealing, preventing soggy ingredients.
• Preserve Freshness: Consume within 6-8 hours for optimal flavor and texture. Avoid storing assembled salad overnight, as tomatoes release water and herbs will wilt, compromising the dish's vibrant character.
• Separate Components: Keep sliced tomatoes, herbs, and dressing in different containers if preparing ahead. Assemble just before serving to maintain crisp textures and prevent ingredient breakdown.

Delicious Twists to Change It Up

• Herb-Infused Ricotta Salad: Replace dill and chives with a blend of fresh rosemary, thyme, and parsley for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired variation.
• Spicy Mediterranean Tomato Salad: Add finely chopped red chili peppers and a sprinkle of smoked paprika to the tomato mixture for a zesty kick that elevates the classic recipe.
• Goat Cheese Mediterranean Option: Swap ricotta with creamy goat cheese and incorporate lemon zest to create a tangier, more robust flavor profile that complements the fresh tomatoes.
• Roasted Vegetable Tomato Medley: Grill or roast additional summer vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant to mix with the tomatoes, creating a more substantial and colorful salad.

Salad Summary: Heirloom Magic

Ina Garten’s heirloom tomato salad whispers summer’s delicate symphony through garden-fresh ingredients.

Mediterranean flavors dance across each carefully arranged plate, inviting sensory exploration.

Ricotta’s silky texture provides luxurious contrast against vibrant tomato segments.

Garden herbs weave intricate flavor narratives that elevate this simple salad into culinary poetry.

Summer’s essence radiates through carefully selected ingredients, transforming basic produce into an artistic experience.

Exceptional cooking celebrates seasonal abundance – share this masterpiece, comment with your flavor memories, and inspire fellow culinary adventurers to recreate Garten’s magnificent dish.

Why Heirloom Tomato Salad Is Always a Summer Hit

• Craft Fresh Homemade Ricotta: Creating your own ricotta cheese transforms this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary, allowing you to control texture and flavor while enjoying a satisfying culinary process that feels like a delightful kitchen adventure.
• Celebrate Summer's Bounty: Highlighting beautiful heirloom tomatoes in vibrant colors and unique shapes, this salad captures the essence of seasonal produce with a fresh, garden-inspired presentation that bursts with natural sweetness and juicy goodness.
• Elevate with Simple Elegance: Combining creamy homemade ricotta, fragrant herbs, and perfectly seasoned tomatoes, this recipe delivers a sophisticated yet effortless dish that looks impressive but requires minimal cooking skills and comes together in under 30 minutes.
• Experience Layered Flavor Harmony: Blending bright herb notes from dill, chives, and basil with rich olive oil and delicate ricotta creates a multi-dimensional taste experience that dances between creamy, tangy, and fresh elements in every single bite.

What You’ll Need for a Tomato Flavor Bomb

• Whole Milk, Heavy Cream: Fresh, high-quality dairy creates smooth and rich homemade ricotta with creamy texture.
• Ricotta Cheese: Soft, fresh cheese base providing creamy foundation for salad's base.

• Scallions, Dill, Chives, Basil: Fresh herbs add bright, aromatic flavors and enhance overall salad's freshness.

• Heirloom Tomatoes: Colorful, ripe vegetables with varied flavors and vibrant appearance for stunning visual presentation.
• Garlic: Fresh clove providing subtle pungent background note and depth to tomato mixture.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing and balancing overall dish flavors.
• Olive Oil: High-quality, extra virgin oil for dressing and adding rich, smooth texture.
• Fleur de Sel: Delicate, finishing salt that provides elegant crunch and pure salt flavor.
• White Vinegar: Ingredient used in ricotta-making process to help separate milk curds.

How to Plate Your Salad Like Ina

Step 1: Create Homemade Ricotta Cheese

• Milk
• Cream
• Salt

Heat to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add vinegar. Let sit for 1 minute until curdles form. Pour mixture into cheesecloth-lined sieve and drain for 20-25 minutes. Transfer ricotta to a bowl, discarding cheesecloth and excess liquid.

Step 2: Prepare Herb-Infused Ricotta Mixture

• Chopped scallions
• Dill
• Chives
• Salt
• Black pepper

Let the mixture rest for up to 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Step 3: Prepare Vibrant Tomato Medley

• Larger tomatoes: Cut into wedges
• Smaller tomatoes: Halve them

• Minced garlic
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 4: Beautifully Assemble The Salad

• Drizzling additional olive oil
• Sprinkling reserved basil
• Adding fleur de sel

Serve at room temperature for maximum flavor enjoyment.

Tips for Picking the Best Tomatoes

• Select Supreme Tomatoes: Choose vibrant, locally grown heirloom tomatoes at peak ripeness for maximum sweetness and juicy texture.
• Chill Creamy Ricotta: Refrigerate homemade ricotta beforehand to maintain a cool, smooth consistency that complements the warm tomatoes.
• Gentle Dressing Technique: Carefully transfer tomatoes with a slotted spoon to control moisture and prevent the salad from becoming watery.
• Herb Freshness Hack: Tear basil leaves just before serving to preserve their bright aroma and delicate flavor profile.
• Season with Confidence: Sample the salad moments before plating, adjusting salt and pepper to highlight the tomatoes' natural richness.

Ina Garten Heirloom Tomato Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Heirloom Tomato Salad celebrates summer’s bounty with garden-fresh ingredients and simple elegance. Juicy, colorful tomatoes mingle with fresh herbs, creating a light Mediterranean-inspired dish that delights palates with pure, unadorned flavor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (1 litre) whole milk
• 2 cups (475 ml) heavy cream
• 2 pints (1.2 litres) assorted heirloom tomatoes
• 2 cups (500 g) fresh ricotta

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) minced scallions
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) minced fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) minced fresh chives
• ½ cup (15 g) julienned fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) minced garlic
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Fleur de sel

Liquids and Oil:

• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) good white wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) good olive oil
• Additional olive oil for drizzling

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Instructions

1. Craft homemade ricotta by positioning a fine-mesh strainer over a deep container, lining it with double-layered dampened cheesecloth. Combine milk and cream in a stainless-steel or enameled pot, incorporating salt, and heat to a vigorous boil over medium flame, stirring intermittently.
2. Remove from heat, introduce vinegar, and allow the mixture to rest for 60 seconds until visible curdling occurs. Carefully transfer the mixture into the prepared cheesecloth-lined strainer, permitting drainage at ambient temperature for 20-25 minutes, adjusting based on desired ricotta texture.
3. Relocate the ricotta to a clean bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and residual liquid. Refrigerate or utilize immediately within 4-5 days.
4. In a medium mixing bowl, blend ricotta with finely chopped scallions, dill, chives, salt, and ground black pepper. Allow the mixture to meld for up to 30 minutes, enabling flavors to harmonize.
5. Prepare tomatoes by slicing larger varieties into wedges and halving smaller ones. Combine tomatoes in a separate bowl with minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and ground black pepper.
6. Moments before serving, gently incorporate fresh basil leaves into the tomato mixture. Artfully spread the herbed ricotta across a large (12-inch/30-centimeter) shallow serving dish.
7. Arrange tomatoes around the ricotta using a slotted spoon to minimize excess liquid. Enhance the presentation by drizzling additional olive oil, scattering reserved basil leaves, and sprinkling fleur de sel. Serve at room temperature to maximize flavor complexity.

Notes

• Grab vine-ripened tomatoes bursting with summer sweetness, ensuring each slice delivers maximum flavor and vibrant color.
• Refrigerate ricotta cheese for at least 30 minutes to create a cool, creamy texture that complements the warm tomatoes perfectly.
• Sprinkle fresh herbs like basil, dill, and chives just moments before serving to preserve their delicate aromatics and bright green appearance.
• Drain excess liquid carefully using a slotted spoon to maintain the salad’s crisp texture and prevent unwanted wateriness.
• Sample the dish and fine-tune seasoning with a pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to elevate the overall taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 435 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 270 mg
• Fat: 43 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg