This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons.

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This salad evokes memories of a tomato salad that my mom used to make in the summertime using fresh homegrown tomatoes and a simple light dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano and a sprinkling of sugar, which would always be adjusted depending on the sweetness of the tomatoes that year.

It was such a simple salad, but so delicious at the same time. And, my favorite part was using a loaf of Italian bread to mop up the leftover juices from the tomatoes after the salad was gone.

Recently, as I was browsing through Yottam Ottolenghi’s latest cookbook, Plenty More, I came across his recipe for a Tomato & Roasted Lemon Salad and was immediately brought back to those summers in New York, although his version of this cherry tomato salad is very different from my mom’s.

His recipe incorporates sage, allspice, pomegranate seeds and pomegranate molasses. It’s a much more exotic spin…

I made his recipe, and I do have to say that it was delicious. Sweet and savory, with unexpected spices. I would have never thought to combine sage with allspice. But, my favorite part of his take on the cherry tomato salad was the roasted lemons that he incorporated into it.

Although I did love his twist on the traditional cherry tomato salad, I was longing for the flavors from my past. I wanted a bit more tang and the flavor of oregano that I love so much.

So I put my Italian twist on his salad.

Overhead shot of cherry tomato salad in grey bowl.

This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is a mashup.

It’s basically my mom’s Italian recipe with the addition of those lovely roasted lemons that Yottam shared in his book.

Those lemons. They are just so good!

Thinly sliced and roasted with the skin on, they become slightly caramelized and mellow out in flavor as they roast in the oven. They perfectly compliment the sweetness of the tomatoes and lend one more layer to my mom’s already amazing cherry tomato salad.

This salad is my new twist on an old favorite.

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What can I do with lots of cherry tomatoes?

Make this cherry tomato salad!!! It’s a great way to use up any extra cherry tomatoes that you may have on hand if you’re a gardener. I know that they can get kind of out of hand during the end of the growing season.

You can also make sun dried tomatoes so that you can preserve them to use throughout the year in dishes like this sun dried tomato pesto.

Cherry tomatoes sandwiched between two deli lids for slicing

How to easily cut cherry tomatoes

Use two deli container lids and sandwich the tomatoes between them. Press down gently on the top lid while you slice through horizontally with a knife. Total game changer!

What’s the difference between cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes?

Basically, their shape. Grape tomatoes tend to grow more in an oval shape (like a grape) whereas cherry tomatoes, grow to be more round. You can use either in this recipe.

Note: As you can see, technically the salad photographed here should be called a grape tomato salad. But they really do work interchangeably.

Recipe variations

With Mozzarella: Throw some cubed mozzarella or pearl mozzarella balls into this salad for a delicious twist. Or, add in these marinated mozzarella balls.
With Cucumber: Some diced cucumber would add a yummy, refreshing crunch to this salad.
With Feta: Add some cubed feta to this salad for a salty, creamy kick.
With Balsamic. Swap out the red wine vinegar for balsamic.

Overhead shot of cherry tomato salad ready to be served.

What to serve with it

Wine pairings

Try a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc with this salad – Their bright flavors mirror those in the salad and compliment it nicely.

SIDE VIEW OF CHERRY TOMATO SALAD IN GREY BOWL WITH SERVING SPOONS.

More cherry tomato recipes

Did you try this cherry tomato salad?

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