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    Home » Recipes » Sauces and Spreads

    By Kaleigh McMordie - July 18, 2019, Updated July 18, 2020

    5 Minute Summer Tomato Vinaigrette

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    pinterest image for summer tomato vinaigrette.

    This easy, 5-minute summer tomato vinaigrette made with fresh summer tomatoes and 3 simple pantry ingredients is the perfect recipe for using up bruised or extra tomatoes!

    glass jar with tomato vinaigrette and a black spoon in it, surrounded by colorful mini tomatoes.

    Bought one too many tomatoes at the store? Or did you accidentally drop one, leaving it a little bruised? It's not trash! Use that ripe summer tomato in this deliciously simple summer tomato vinaigrette!

    While You'll Love This Tomato Vinaigrette Recipe

    If you've been around Lively Table a while, you know I try to avoid wasting food as much as possible, so I try to find ways to best use produce that may be past its prime. This dressing is the perfect use for tomatoes that may have a couple bruises or that got left in the back of your refrigerator a little too long (as long as it's not moldy!). All you need to make this simple vinaigrette are a few pantry staples and a food processor (I like this mini one). And it takes just 5 minutes to whip up!

    Ingredients You'll Need

    In a recipe this simple, quality ingredients are key, so get the best quality you can find and afford.

    • One big, ripe tomato (or about ¾ cup cherry tomatoes)
    • Fresh garlic
    • Red wine vinegar
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Salt (I like Himalayan sea salt)

    Ingredients for making tomato vinaigrette in the bowl of a food processor and surrounding the food processor.

    How To Make Tomato Vinaigrette

    1. Combine the tomato and garlic in a food processor and pulse until smooth.
    2. Add the oil and vinegar. Pulse to combine.
    3. Salt to taste. Boom. Done.

    How To Store Dressing

    I like this dressing best at room temperature, so just leave it out on the counter if you'll be using it within an hour or two. Otherwise, store this tomato vinaigrette in a jar or bottle with a lid in the refrigerator for up to a week. Fresh garlic will become more pungent the longer it sits, so be aware of that.

    Is This Dressing Healthy?

    Homemade dressings are almost always healthier than store-bought, and this one is no exception. This tomato vinaigrette is made of very few ingredients, all of which are healthy (or at least not unhealthy), like heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil and antioxidant-rich garlic and tomatoes. It contains no added sweetener and you get to control the salt!

    hand spooning tomato vinaigrette onto tomatoes and white beans in a bowl.

    What To Use This Dressing On

    • My Tomato Basil White Bean Salad
    • Spooned over chicken or fish
    • In place of balsamic on a caprese salad
    • A simple, fresh green salad with homemade croutons and a good quality cheese
    • Anything else your heart desires!

    More delicious recipes that are perfect for less-than-perfect summer tomatoes:

    • Pan Con Tomatoe (Catalan Tomato Toast)
    • The Best Grilled Salsa
    • Homemade Romesco Sauce
    • Easy Tomato Basil Soup
    • Garlic Herb Spaghetti Sauce
    Print

    5 Minute Summer Tomato Vinaigrette

    glass jar with tomato vinaigrette and a black spoon in it, surrounded by colorful mini tomatoes.
    Print Recipe

    This easy, 5-minute summer tomato vinaigrette made with fresh summer tomatoes and 3 simple pantry ingredients is the perfect recipe for using up bruised or extra tomatoes! (vegan, gluten-free)

    • Author: Kaleigh
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 0 minutes
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: about ½ cup 1x
    • Category: dressing
    • Method: food processor
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 large ripe tomato, quartered (or roughly ¾ cup cherry tomatoes)
    • 1 clove garlic
    • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
    • 3 tbsp olive oil
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions

    1. Combine the tomato and garlic in a food processor and pulse until smooth.
    2. Add the oil and vinegar. Pulse to combine.
    3. Salt to taste.

    Notes

    • If you'd like, add black pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
    • I like this dressing best at room temperature, so just leave it out on the counter if you'll be using it within an hour or two. Otherwise, store this tomato vinaigrette in a jar or bottle with a lid in the refrigerator for up to a week. Fresh garlic will become more pungent the longer it sits, so be aware of that.

    Keywords: tomato dressing, summer tomato vinaigrette, 5 minute tomato vinaigrette

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @livelytable on Instagram and hashtag it #livelytable

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    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission off of your purchase with no extra cost to you. Please read my affiliate disclosure for more information.

    About Kaleigh McMordie

    Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian in Abilene, Texas, as well as a member of the Baby Led Weaning Dietitians Network.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jan says

      July 18, 2020 at 6:07 pm

      I'm the same as you - I do my best not to waste, but inevitably, I end up with too much of something and need a way to use it up. This is going to be added to my list for ways to use up tomatoes. I am really excited to try it with tomatoes from my MIL's garden because there are always a few that need to be eaten RIGHT NOW. I might get crazy and try it on a pasta salad or a grain bowl. Thanks for sharing this one!!

      Reply
      • Kaleigh says

        July 19, 2020 at 5:34 pm

        So nice that you have garden fresh tomatoes! Enjoy!

        Reply

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