Tomato and Carrot Salad

Tomato and Carrot Salad is a delicious lunch meal or side dish to serve with dinner.  With the kick of the red chili and feta cheese this is a lovely combination that everyone will love.

In this blog post, you will learn how to make a delicious Tomato and Carrot Salad.

What is Tomato and Carrot Salad?

A tomato and carrot salad is a refreshing and colourful dish that combines the sweet, juicy flavours of ripe tomatoes with the crunchy, slightly sweet taste of fresh carrots.  Furthermore, this simple yet vibrant salad is often seasoned with a light dressing and can include various herbs and additional ingredients to enhance its flavour and texture.

Best Tomatoes to Use in This Salad

Choosing the right tomatoes can significantly enhance the flavor and texture of your tomato and carrot salad.  Here are some of the best varieties to consider:

1. Cherry Tomatoes:  small, round, and usually very sweet.  They are available in red, yellow, and even orange, adding vibrant colors to your salad.
2. Grape Tomatoes:  slightly smaller and more oblong than cherry tomatoes.  They are firm and crunchy, holding up well in salads.
3. Heirloom Tomatoes:
4. Large, often irregularly shaped, and come in a variety of colors including red, green, yellow, purple, and striped.  They are rich, complex, and sometimes slightly tangy, with a unique taste that varies by variety.
5. Roma Tomatoes:  also known as plum tomatoes, they are oval-shaped and meatie.   They are less watery, with a balanced sweet and acidic flavour with a firm flesh that holds up well in salads.
6. Campari Tomatoes:  medium-sized, round, and known for their high sugar content and exceptionally sweet with low acidity.

When selecting tomatoes for your tomato and carrot salad, consider using cherry, grape, heirloom, Roma, or Campari tomatoes.  Each of these varieties offers unique flavors, textures, and colors that can enhance the overall taste and presentation of your salad. Combining different types can also add a variety of flavors and visual appeal, making your salad even more enjoyable.

Can I Eat This for Lunch or as a Side Dish for Dinner?

You can eat this as your lunch or as a side for your dinner whichever you prefer.

If eating this as your lunch, try adding some chickpeas or some grilled chicken for protein.  If you are eating this as a side for your dinner, see below for some options to eat with your tomato and carrot salad.

What to Serve with Tomato and Carrot Salad?

Tomato and carrot salad can be served as an appetizer, side dish, a light meal, or taken to a potluck.  Besides that, it can be served with salmon, beef, or a roasted chicken for a nice dinner.  If you are looking for a lighter meal, try adding some protein to it in the form of grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas or pairing your tomato and carrot salad with some bread to make it more filling.

Want some ideas of what to pair your salad with.  Try these options below:

Try serving it with this gorgeous Basil and Thyme Whole Roasted Chicken.

Or try serving it with these Homemade Meatballs.

If you are looking for a lighter meal, try eating your tomato and carrot salad with this Easy Sandwich Bread Recipe.

Serving a tomato and carrot salad is about highlighting its fresh, vibrant ingredients and ensuring it complements the meal. Whether as a side dish, appetizer, light meal, or part of a buffet, this salad is versatile and easy to pair with a variety of main courses and accompaniments.

What is in a Vinaigrette Dressing?

A vinaigrette is a simple, versatile salad dressing made by combining oil and vinegar with various seasonings and flavourings.  Moreover, it is known for its balanced acidity and rich, smooth texture, enhancing the flavours of fresh vegetables, greens, and other salad components.

Basic Ingredients

Oil:  extra virgin olive oil is the most common choice, but other oils such as canola, sunflower, or walnut oil can also be used.

Vinegar:  the most common types include balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and rice vinegar.

Additional Ingredients

Mustard:  dijon mustard is often used.

Honey or Sugar:  honey, maple syrup, or granulated sugar.

Garlic:  fresh minced garlic or garlic powder.

Shallots:  finely minced shallots.

Herbs:  fresh or dried herbs like parsley, thyme, oregano, or basil.

Salt and Pepper:  kosher salt or sea salt, freshly ground black pepper.

How to Make Tomato and Carrot Salad

To make the tomato and carrot salad, you need to halve the small tomatoes and cut the large tomatoes into quarters.  Once the tomatoes are cut up, place them into a large bowl.  Then grate the carrots and add them to the bowl.  Add the sliced spring onion and finely chopped red chilis to the mixture.  Toss together.  Pour the vinaigrette dressing over top of the salad and toss together.  Lastly, garnish the top of the salad with the crumbled feta cheese.  Leave in the fridge until time to eat.

How to Make the Vinaigrette Dressing

To make the vinaigrette, you need to pour the extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar into a small bowl then whisk together.  You can add extra ingredients here if you prefer a different style of vinaigrette dressing.  Pour over the salad.

Ingredients

Tomatoes:  ripe, juicy tomatoes are the star of this salad.  Varieties such as cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or larger heirloom tomatoes can be used.

Carrots:  fresh carrots add a bright colour and crisp texture to the salad.  Fresh carrots, peeled and either thinly sliced, julienned, or shredded.

Spring Onion:  spring onion adds a mild onion flavour and a bit of crunch.

Red Chili:  the red chili provides a spicy kick and a slight crunch, enhancing the overall flavour profile of the salad.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil:  a high-quality olive oil that serves as the base of the dressing.

Balsamic Vinegar:  balsamic vinegar is sweet, tangy, and slightly syrupy which adds depth and a balanced acidity to the salad, complementing the sweetness of the tomatoes and carrots.

Feta Cheese:  feta cheese adds a creamy, salty element to the salad.

Tips

• When selecting tomatoes for your tomato and carrot salad, consider using cherry, grape, heirloom, Roma, or Campari tomatoes.
• Make sure to deseed your red chili before putting it into the salad.
• Try switching out the crumbled feta for a mozzarella ball or shaved Parmesan onto the top of the salad.

Tomato and Carrot Salad

A tomato and carrot salad is a simple, nutritious, and versatile dish that can be easily customized to suit your taste. The combination of sweet, juicy tomatoes and crunchy carrots, enhanced by a light dressing and optional add-ins, makes it a perfect side dish for various meals. Its fresh flavours and vibrant colours make it a visually appealing and delicious addition to any table.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb. 8 oz. of mixed ripe tomatoes red and yellow cherry, plum, and medium vine tomatoes
• 3 med. Carrots peeled and finely grated
• Spring onions trimmed and finely sliced
• 1 red chili deseeded and finely chopped
• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 c. feta cheese crumbled

Instructions

 

• Chop the larger tomatoes and halve the cherry tomatoes and tip into a large serving bowl.
• Add the grated carrot, spring onions, and deseeded chili and toss together.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper.
• Pour the dressing over top of the tomato salad and toss.
• Crumble the feta cheese over top of the salad and serve.

Notes

Nutritional Information                                                                               Servings 8

Calories 385                           Carbs 15g                   Protein 3g                  Fat 37g

Nutritional Information is automatically calculated and should only be used as a guide.

Keyword Carrot Salad, Salad, Tomato and Carrot Salad, Tomato Salad

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