Barefoot Contessa’s Zesty Garden Tomato Feta Salad Recipe: Fresh & Flavorful

When summer’s bounty calls, this vibrant Barefoot Contessa tomato feta salad recipe bursts with Mediterranean flavors that dance on your plate.

Fresh cherry tomatoes mingle with creamy feta, creating a symphony of colors and textures.

Herbs like basil and oregano add a fragrant punch to every bite.

The salad comes together in minutes, making it perfect for lazy afternoons or impromptu gatherings.

Each forkful delivers a bright, tangy experience that captures the essence of sun-drenched cuisine.

Crisp ingredients and simple seasonings turn this dish into a refreshing celebration of seasonal produce.

Dive into this irresistible salad and let your taste buds embark on a delicious Mediterranean journey.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 245 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Barefoot Contessa Tomato Feta Salad

• Cherry Tomatoes: Bursting with sweet summer flavor, choose ripe, deeply colored tomatoes that feel heavy and firm.
• Red Onion: Provides sharp, crisp texture and vibrant color, select firm onions with tight, glossy skin.

• Red Wine Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and helps balance the salad's richness, opt for high-quality, aged vinegar.
• Olive Oil: Creates smooth, silky base for dressing, select extra virgin for best flavor and health benefits.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and brings out natural flavors of ingredients, use sea salt or kosher salt for depth.
• Black Pepper: Introduces subtle heat and complexity, freshly ground provides most robust flavor.

• Fresh Basil, Fresh Parsley: Bring fresh, aromatic dimensions, choose bright green leaves without wilting or browning.
• Feta Cheese: Delivers creamy, salty punch, select Greek-style feta for authentic tangy profile and smooth texture.

Tools You’ll Need for Barefoot Contessa Tomato Feta Salad

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining salad ingredients.
• Small bowl: Perfect for whisking dressing ingredients.
• Whisk: Needed to blend dressing smoothly.
• Sharp knife: Required for cutting tomatoes, onions, and herbs.
• Cutting board: Provides surface for chopping ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Helps measure salt and seasonings accurately.

How to Assemble Barefoot Contessa Tomato Feta Salad

Tomato Symphony

• Fresh Foundations Garden tomatoes burst with color, halved and nestled in a spacious bowl alongside crisp red onion pieces that add sharp, zesty undertones.
• Flavor Awakening A delicate dance of vinegar and olive oil whispers together, creating a light dressing seasoned with gentle salt and pepper traces.
• Herbal Harmony Fragrant basil and parsley cascade into the mixture, their green essence weaving through the vibrant vegetables, transforming the salad with natural aromatics.
• Creamy Accent Smooth feta chunks drift gently across the surface, their rich, tangy profile providing a luxurious contrast to the bright, fresh ingredients.
• Sensory Pause Allow the salad a peaceful moment to let flavors mingle and soften, inviting a perfect balance of textures and tastes before serving at a relaxed temperature.

Flavor Boosting Tips for Barefoot Contessa Tomato Feta Salad

• Swap out cherry tomatoes for heirloom varieties to add vibrant colors and unique flavor profiles.
• Toss in grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie meat, or chickpeas to transform this side dish into a hearty main course.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like dill, mint, or oregano to create different aromatic dimensions and personalize the salad's taste.
• Sprinkle toasted pine nuts, sliced almonds, or sunflower seeds for added texture and nutty undertones that complement the creamy feta.

Serving Options for Barefoot Contessa Tomato Feta Salad

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Slice a rustic baguette or sourdough and serve alongside the salad for soaking up the delicious dressing and adding a satisfying crunch.
• Create a Mediterranean Platter: Arrange the tomato feta salad with hummus, olives, grilled vegetables, and pita chips for a vibrant and colorful spread perfect for summer gatherings.
• Elevate Protein Dishes: Spoon the salad over grilled chicken, fish, or lamb to add a bright, tangy flavor and fresh texture that complements the main course beautifully.
• Use as a Refreshing Side: Serve chilled or at room temperature as a light accompaniment to barbecue meals, picnics, or weekend lunches for a delightful burst of Mediterranean-inspired freshness.

Storage Instructions for Barefoot Contessa Tomato Feta Salad

• Maximize Freshness: Store this vibrant salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep feta and herbs crisp by placing a paper towel inside to absorb excess moisture.
• Quick Meal Prep: Chop vegetables and prepare dressing separately, storing components in individual containers. Combine ingredients just before serving to maintain the salad's bright texture and prevent sogginess.
• Smart Serving Strategies: Enjoy the salad within 4 hours of preparation for optimal flavor and crunch. Allow the salad to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance the taste of herbs and tomatoes.
• Portion and Protect: Divide salad into single-serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Keep dressing on the side to prevent wilting and maintain the ingredients' fresh, vibrant qualities.

Vibrant Barefoot Contessa Tomato Feta Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired tomato feta salad delivers summer freshness with crisp ingredients and tangy herbs. Homemade dressing and quality produce elevate this simple yet elegant dish you’ll want to savor repeatedly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 450 g (1 lb) cherry tomatoes, red or mixed colours
• 340 g (¾ lb) feta cheese, cut into cubes
• 1 small red onion, finely diced
• 2 tbsps white wine vinegar or Champagne vinegar
• 3 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tbsps fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 1½ tsps kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Slice cherry tomatoes into halves and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Finely dice red onions and add to the tomatoes.
2. Dressing Creation: Whisk extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper in a small bowl until completely blended.
3. Flavor Infusion: Pour the dressing over the tomato-onion mixture, ensuring thorough coating. Finely chop fresh basil and parsley, then sprinkle evenly throughout the salad.
4. Cheese Integration: Cube feta cheese into uniform pieces, gently folding into the salad to maintain texture and distribute evenly.
5. Final Arrangement: Let the salad rest for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve at room temperature as a vibrant Mediterranean-style side dish, showcasing the bright, fresh ingredients.

Notes

• Slice with Precision: Halve cherry tomatoes carefully to maintain their delicate structure and showcase their vibrant color.
• Balance Dressing Technique: Whisk olive oil and vinegar thoroughly to create a smooth, well-integrated emulsion that coats ingredients evenly.
• Herb Chopping Tip: Finely chop fresh basil and parsley to release maximum flavor and distribute herbs uniformly throughout the salad.
• Cheese Handling Hack: Cube feta gently to prevent crumbling, ensuring each piece remains intact while blending seamlessly with other ingredients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 245
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 630 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg