The main ingredient in this easy tomato vinaigrette is one fresh tomato. Make sure you choose a good quality tomato. This dressing tastes super fresh and has a beautiful vibrant color that looks great.
Garlic dominates the flavor, but the fresh tomatoes and bright vinegar complement the vinaigrette perfectly. Make a large batch at once and eat immediately, or store in frozen cubes for a flavorful dressing whenever you need it.
Learn how to make a tomato vinaigrette, another great way to enjoy summer tomato season.
Ingredients for Tomato Vinaigrette
This tomato vinaigrette recipe requires just a few ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand. As long as you have good quality tomatoes, it will be ready in just a few minutes. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive oil: Use the best quality olive oil here as the flavours really shine through and it’s a great time to use a finer quality oil.
- White wine vinegar: The slightly less hot flavor of the white wine vinegar balances it out nicely. If you use distilled vinegar, you may need to add more syrup to balance the vinaigrette.
- Pure maple syrup: This sweetener dissolves better in a vinaigrette than granulated sugar and won’t freeze like honey.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: For seasoning.
- Red Tomato: Choose the freshest, most flavorful produce possible, whether that means buying from your backyard, a farmers market, or a roadside stand.
- Garlic cloves: One garlic clove adds plenty of flavour, so if you love garlic, double the amount, or halve the garlic if you want something a little less.
Stacey Allen, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
How to Make Tomato Vinaigrette
Grab your blender or food processor and make a tomato vinaigrette in just two easy steps and five minutes of prep time.
- Step 1. Add ingredients to a blender. First, combine the olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, salt, pepper, tomatoes, and garlic in a food processor or blender.
- Step 2. Blend until smooth. Then blend over high heat until smooth. Adjust salt to taste. Use the dressing immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
What are the best tomatoes for a tomato vinaigrette?
Feel free to use any color or flavor variety of tomato for this recipe, such as Heirloom, Sungold, or any other variety you like.
But because this Tomato Vinaigrette recipe relies on fresh tomatoes for its flavor, it’s important to choose good quality tomatoes. The tomatoes don’t necessarily have to be in season (although ideally they would be); if they’re not, look for beautiful bright red tomatoes that are on the vine, which are available year-round at most grocery stores.
How long does tomato vinaigrette last?
The tomato vinaigrette can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Blend a batch at a time and freeze in silicone cubes, then thaw and use as needed.
Top Tips for Tomato Vinaigrette
of Southern Living With these tips from the Test Kitchen, your first tomato vinaigrette is sure to be delicious.
- Appliance changes: If you don’t have a blender or food processor, or don’t want to drag them out, this recipe is perfect for a hand blender.
- all: Core the tomatoes, scoop out any seeds and tomato pulp that fell out when you chopped them, and toss all of this into a blender.
How to eat tomato vinaigrette
This creamy tomato-flavored vinaigrette is especially delicious when paired with a BLT salad, a take on the classic sandwich made with bacon, lettuce, blue cheese, tomatoes, and tomato vinaigrette. When tomatoes are tasty, try it in place of your regular dressing for a refreshing summer upgrade.
Stacey Allen, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Salad Dressing Recipes
If you need a little more salad dressing or vinaigrette for dinner, try these favorite dressings:
Editorial Support Alessandra Dubin.
