Ina Garten’s Bright Garden Delight: Heirloom Tomato & Blue Cheese Salad Recipe
Summer’s bounty shines through this vibrant Ina Garten heirloom tomato & blue cheese salad that bursts with fresh, garden-picked flavors.
Ripe, juicy tomatoes mingle with creamy, tangy blue cheese for a delightful combination that captures seasonal elegance.
The color palette alone makes this dish a showstopper on any table.
Delicate herbs and a light vinaigrette enhance each colorful bite, creating a symphony of taste and texture.
Simple yet sophisticated, this salad transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.
The recipe celebrates fresh produce with minimal effort and maximum impact.
You’ll fall in love with this easy, refreshing dish that brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your plate.
Keep Ina Garten’s Salad Crisp & Fresh
Maximize Freshness: Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, understanding that tomatoes may release water and lose their crisp texture.
Prep Ahead Wisely: Slice tomatoes and keep ingredients separate until just before serving to maintain optimal crunch and prevent soggy results.
Quick Chill Technique: If serving chilled, remove tomatoes from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before eating to allow flavors to develop and reach perfect temperature.
Smart Ingredient Handling: Keep blue cheese and fresh basil in separate sealed containers to prevent moisture transfer and maintain their individual textures and flavors.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories: 150 kcal
Servings: 6
Salad Prep: Ina Garten’s Heirloom Tomatoes & Blue Cheese
For Tomatoes:
Heirloom Tomatoes: Vibrant, sun-kissed beauties bursting with intense, garden-fresh flavor; choose ripe, firm tomatoes with deep, rich colors and no blemishes.
Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet little flavor bombs that add delightful color and juicy brightness; select plump, glossy ones with a deep, rich hue.
For Cheese and Herbs:
Roquefort Cheese: Creamy, tangy blue cheese that provides a bold, luxurious punch; opt for a high-quality, authentic French variety with a smooth, crumbly texture.
Fresh Basil: Aromatic herb that brings a bright, peppery note; look for bright green leaves without any wilting or dark spots.
For Seasoning and Dressing:
Kosher Salt: Enhances the natural sweetness of tomatoes and balances the cheese's richness; use coarse grains for better texture and flavor distribution.
Red Wine Vinegar: Adds a zesty, sharp tang that cuts through the creamy cheese; choose a well-balanced, slightly fruity variety.
Olive Oil: Provides a silky, smooth finish and helps marry all the flavors; select a high-quality extra virgin olive oil with a robust, fruity profile.
Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth; freshly ground offers the most vibrant flavor.
Tools to Toss Ina Garten’s Bold Tomato Salad
Chef's Knife: Sharp, sturdy knife for precise tomato slicing.
Cutting Board: Large wooden or plastic board for safe and clean preparation.
Serving Platter: Wide, flat dish to beautifully display the colorful tomatoes.
Measuring Spoons: Small tools for accurate salt and vinegar measurements.
Small Bowl: Helpful for crumbling blue cheese and preparing ingredients.
Kitchen Towel: Clean cloth for wiping surfaces and hands during preparation.
Step-by-Step for Ina Garten’s Heirloom Tomato Dish
Summer Tomato Canvas: A colorful collection of ripe heirloom tomatoes sliced gracefully across a beautiful serving platter, showcasing vibrant reds, yellows, and deep purples.
Playful Cherry Tomato Dance: Halved cherry tomatoes scattered artfully among large tomato slices, creating a delightful visual and textural contrast.
Flavor Awakening: A sprinkle of kosher salt and splash of tangy red wine vinegar that coaxes out the tomatoes' natural sweetness, allowing them to rest and develop deeper flavors.
Creamy Blue Cheese Cloud: Crumbled Roquefort cheese gracefully draped over the tomatoes, adding a rich and bold Mediterranean touch that complements the fresh produce.
Herbal Green Whispers: Fresh basil leaves gently torn and sprinkled across the salad, bringing a fragrant and vibrant green accent that elevates the entire dish.
Liquid Gold Finale: A silky drizzle of high-quality olive oil that ties all the flavors together, creating a harmonious and elegant summer salad ready to be savored at room temperature.
Swap Ideas for Ina Garten’s Summer Salad
Mix different heirloom tomato varieties like yellow, purple, and red for a vibrant color palette that delights the eyes and taste buds.
Swap Roquefort with other bold blue cheeses like Gorgonzola or Stilton to add deeper, richer tangy notes to the salad.
Replace basil with fresh oregano, thyme, or chives to create unexpected flavor profiles that complement the tomatoes and cheese.
Sprinkle crispy pancetta bits, toasted pine nuts, or grilled chicken strips to transform this side dish into a satisfying main course salad.
Consume the salad immediately after preparing to maintain the tomatoes' fresh texture and prevent them from becoming watery or soggy.
Present This Tomato-Blue Cheese Beauty Like Ina
Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside warm, crusty artisan bread to soak up the delicious tomato juices and vinaigrette.
Create a Rustic Lunch: Transform this salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken or fresh mozzarella for extra protein and texture.
Wine Complement: Match with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light rosé to enhance the tomatoes' bright, fresh flavors.
Summer Gathering Centerpiece: Present the colorful salad on a large wooden board for a stunning appetizer that celebrates seasonal produce at outdoor dinner parties.
Ina Garten’s heirloom tomato & blue cheese salad showcases garden-fresh ingredients with elegant simplicity. Fresh tomatoes and creamy blue cheese create a Mediterranean-inspired dish perfect for summer dining.
Ingredients
Scale
8 oz (226 g) Roquefort cheese, such as Société
2 lbs (907 g) heirloom tomatoes, cores removed
1 pint (473 ml) heirloom cherry tomatoes
¼ cup red wine vinegar
¼ cup olive oil
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
fresh basil leaves, torn or julienned
Instructions
Tomato Preparation: Slice heirloom tomatoes into elegant rounds, arranging them artfully on a spacious serving platter, then halve cherry tomatoes and position them alongside the larger slices.
Seasoning Stage: Sprinkle kosher salt across the tomato canvas, then splash red wine vinegar over the surface, allowing the mixture to rest for 5 minutes to intensify the natural tomato flavors.
Cheese Elevation: Crumble Roquefort cheese generously over the tomatoes, creating pockets of creamy, tangy richness that complement the fresh produce.
Herbal Accent: Tear fresh basil leaves into delicate fragments, dispersing them across the salad to introduce a vibrant, aromatic dimension.
Final Flourish: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the entire composition, finishing with a subtle grind of black pepper to enhance the salad’s depth and complexity. Serve at room temperature to showcase the ingredients’ pure, unadulterated essence.
Notes
Optimize Tomato Selection: Choose ripe, vibrant heirloom tomatoes at peak season for maximum flavor and sweetness.
Maximize Flavor Infusion: Let salad rest for exactly 5 minutes after adding salt and vinegar to allow tomatoes to release natural juices and develop deeper taste profile.
Cheese Temperature Matters: Remove Roquefort cheese from refrigerator 30 minutes before preparation to ensure optimal creamy texture and enhanced flavor distribution.
Perfect Serving Technique: Serve at room temperature to highlight the delicate nuances of tomatoes and blue cheese, preventing muted flavors that occur when served too cold.
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.
Sophia Rivera
Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Education
Austin Community College
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.