This Lebanese Tomato Salad comes together in about 20 minutes and is a no-cook delight that your family will love! You can switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of those leftover veggies hanging out in your crisper drawer. It’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners or as a refreshing side for those lazy summer lunches. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making this scrumptious salad on repeat!
Ingredients Breakdown for Lebanese Tomato Salad
- Tomatoes (2 lb, Campari)
- Red Bell Pepper (1 large)
- Garlic (4 cloves, peeled)
- Smoked Paprika (1 tablespoon)
- Sumac (1 teaspoon)
- Olive Oil (4 tablespoons)
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- Parsley (1/4 cup, chopped)
Let’s Get Cooking!
Now that we have all our fresh and vibrant ingredients at the ready, it’s time to assemble this delicious Lebanese Tomato Salad. Just follow these simple steps:
Cut the Tomatoes: Begin by cutting your tomatoes into quarters and placing them in a large mixing bowl. Set them aside for now. The color is just so bright and cheerful, this salad is already looking good!
Process the Bell Pepper and Garlic: Next, cut the bell pepper into four parts; discard the stem and seeds. Place the cut pepper and garlic cloves in your food processor and process until they form a paste. Oh man, the aroma from the garlic! Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
Add the Flavors: Now, it’s time to spice things up! Add the smoked paprika, sumac, salt, pepper, and olive oil to the bell pepper mixture. Mix well until everything is combined. Wait, just wait, this is where the magic happens!
Dress the Tomatoes: Pour that glorious dressing over your cut tomatoes and mix gently to cover them on all sides. It’s going to get messy, and I’ll promise you, it’s going to be worth it!
Add the Parsley: Mix in the chopped parsley and give it a good stir. This step is crucial, don’t skip it! Let the salad chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes to allow all those flavors to meld together beautifully.
Serve: Once it’s had a chance to sit, transfer the salad into a serving dish, and get ready to enjoy! This beautiful salad is perfect as a side to grilled meats, or you can just enjoy it on its own as a refreshing light meal.
Why This Lebanese Tomato Salad Is My Go-To Recipe
This Lebanese Tomato Salad is truly my go-to recipe when I need something light, fresh, and totally satisfying. It’s comfort food that doesn’t feel heavy, and the best part is how versatile it is! You can literally use whatever veggies or fresh herbs you have on hand, don’t be afraid to experiment. I’m a real sucker for adapting recipes based on what’s in my fridge, so you can trust that this one is easy to customize based on your family’s preferences.
If you loved this Lebanese Tomato Salad, be sure to check out my Tabbouleh Salad, my Lebanese Stuffed Pita Arayes, or my Fattoush Salad!
Why This Recipe Works
Crowd-Pleaser
This Lebanese Tomato Salad is a total showstopper! The combination of juicy tomatoes, crunchy peppers, and zesty dressing makes it a favorite among family and friends. It’s also a conversation starter, everyone always wants to know your secret ingredient!
Customizable
Feel like changing things up? This salad is incredibly adaptable! You can swap out the tomatoes for cucumbers or add in some feta cheese for a twist. Really, all you need is a vibrant base and a killer dressing.
Make-Ahead Friendly
This salad can be prepped ahead of time and keeps well in the fridge. It’s perfect for meal prep since the flavors will only get better as they sit. Just give it a quick toss before serving!
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Salad
This Lebanese Tomato Salad is best served chilled and is a fantastic side dish to grilled meats or seafood. It also shines alone with warm pita bread or as part of a mezze spread!
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay fresh for 2-3 days. Just remember that as it sits, the tomatoes may release some moisture, but you can simply mix it up before serving again.
Reheating
No reheating needed here! This salad is best enjoyed cold, so just pull it out when you’re ready to munch.
Freezer Friendly
This salad is not freezer friendly due to the high water content in tomatoes; they won’t hold up well after being frozen. Stick to fresh ingredients for the best quality!
So, there you have it! A quick and easy Lebanese Tomato Salad that will have your family coming back for seconds, if not thirds! The vibrant flavors and colorful ingredients are just as delightful as the flexibility it offers for a clean-out-the-fridge meal. With minimal prep time and stellar taste, I can confidently say this will become your family’s new favorite go-to recipe on busy weeknights.
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Lebanese Tomato Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Cut the tomatoes into quarters and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Cut the bell pepper into four parts, discard stem and seeds. Process the bell pepper and garlic cloves in a food processor until they form a paste.
- Transfer the bell pepper and garlic mixture to a bowl, and add smoked paprika, sumac, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Mix well.
- Pour the dressing over the cut tomatoes and mix gently to coat.
- Add the chopped parsley and stir well. Let the salad chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- Transfer the salad to a serving dish and enjoy!