Fresh Keto Tomato and Feta Salad 

A Burst of Mediterranean Flavors in a Healthy and Low-Carb Delight!

Fresh and Flavorful Keto Tomato and Feta Salad—This low-carb and healthy salad is not only delicious but also perfect for those following a ketogenic lifestyle. When you get a savory craving, this salad is a fantastic choice.

It comes together in minutes and is also ideal for using up a large number of tomatoes too.

Did you know that feta cheese, one of the stars of this dish, has a fascinating history?

It’s true! Feta cheese holds the title of being the oldest cheese in recorded history. Isn’t that amazing?🤓

Why do I love this Fresh Keto Tomato and Feta Salad?

Not only does it satisfy your cravings🤤, but it also meets all the keto requirements. It’s absolutely crave-worthy and can be enjoyed multiple times throughout the week.

When serving tomato salad for a gathering or party, it’s a great idea to keep the dressing separate. I recommend serving the dressing on the side and dressing the salad just before you’re ready to serve it.

This salad is not only perfect for a weeknight dinner or lunch, but it also comes together quickly without the need for any fancy tools.

It brings back memories of when I used to work in the office with my sister. I can vividly imagine her bringing fresh tomatoes to the office and using a plastic knife to cut them, as we didn’t have many sharp knives available.

This salad is so simple a kid can prepare it, especially if you’re concerned about them using sharp knives. They can easily cut the tomatoes with a plastic knife or a regular one, whichever you prefer.

My sister used to assemble it in no time, adding the dressing, salt, pepper, and feta. It was always a hit in the office, and everyone loved it.

To take it to the next level, I highly recommend adding fresh basil. It truly elevates the flavors of the salad.

Ingredient Check List 📃

• vine-ripened tomatoes (Sweetness and Acidity)
• basil (layer of freshness and liveliness)
• feta (creaminess and a tang)
• green onions (crunch and texture)

Dressing Ingredients

• olive oil (compliments the tomatoes)
• red or white wine vinegar (gives a tangy and acidic flavor to the salad)
• oregano (aroma)
• salt and black pepper ( to taste)

👩‍🍳How do you make Fresh Keto Tomato and Feta Salad?

Follow these simple steps.

• Start by cleaning your tomatoes and giving them a quick dice. They don’t have to be perfectly cut, just chop them up quickly.

• Next, drizzle some high-quality olive oil over the tomatoes and sprinkle them with your favorite spices. I personally recommend trying a black pepper olive oil from Madagascar, it’s amazing. It adds a remarkable touch and enhances the fresh keto salad to a whole new level. It’s truly incredible. 

• Now, don’t forget to add fresh basil—either chiffonade the basil leaves or tear them, depending on how fast you want to whip this salad up.

• There are two options for the feta cheese, either sprinkle it on top or toss it with the dressing and olive oil.

• If you prefer a slightly sweeter keto tomato salad—you can add a little bit of balsamic vinegar to the dressing. Just make sure it’s not a balsamic glaze because it’s not suitable for a keto diet.

You can also sweeten the dressing with a keto-friendly sweetener when mixing it with regular balsamic vinegar. I often do this, and the result is amazingly delicious!

• Lastly, you want to mix everything together with the olive oil and dressing, then top it off with the feta cheese. Your delicious tomato salad is now ready to be enjoyed! 🥗

What kind of tomatoes do I need for the Fresh Keto Tomato and Feta Salad?

In the summertime, when tomatoes are everywhere, look for fresh, locally grown tomatoes at your nearby produce stand or supermarket. Opt for tomatoes that are grown in your state for the best flavor. 😊

If it’s wintertime, I recommend visiting upscale markets like Wegmans or Whole Foods, where you can find exceptional heirloom tomatoes. The difference in taste between these flavorful heirlooms and what I call “plastic tomatoes” is truly remarkable.

In the winter season, when fresh tomatoes may be harder to find, consider purchasing hydroponic tomatoes, which are typically available year-round.

To complement the tomatoes, you can either purchase hydroponic basil or buy a small basil plant and keep it on your windowsill. This way, you’ll have fresh basil available throughout the year.

Regardless of the season, using high-quality tomatoes and fresh basil will elevate the taste of your fresh keto tomato and feta salad. 👩‍🍳💋

Before drizzling the olive oil, season the salad with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors. Feel free to add oregano too and, if you desire a bit of heat, a sprinkle of hot pepper. Give it a gentle toss to ensure the ingredients are well combined.

Top the salad with the feta cheese and savor the delightful flavors that come together in each bite. Enjoy the dance of flavors that Salt-N-Pepa would surely approve of!

FAQs About Fresh Keto Tomato and Feta Salad

What kind of tomatoes work best for this? I recommend opting for heirloom tomatoes or fresh tomatoes during the summer season. They bring exceptional flavor and variety to the dish.

If access to specialty markets like Whole Foods or Wegmans is limited, or if you prefer a different option, grape tomatoes or Roma tomatoes are great alternatives. Just be sure you avoid tomatoes that appear unnaturally shiny or plastic-like, as they often lack the desired taste and texture.

While some may refer to them as “ugly tomatoes,” I find them to be truly beautiful😍. These unique-looking tomatoes possess a distinct flavor that sets them apart.

Avoid tomatoes that look overly artificial—as if they belong in a child’s plastic fruit or vegetable bowl. Instead, choose grape tomatoes, which are fantastic when you’re in a hurry, or consider the convenience of small tomatoes on the vine.

Ultimately, my personal favorites remain the heirloom tomatoes and fresh seasonal tomatoes, particularly those grown in your own garden. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of using homegrown produce in your culinary creations.

So, if you have the opportunity, I highly recommend harvesting your own tomatoes for the freshest and most rewarding experience.

Substitutions

Can I use dried basil for this? Of course, you can use dried basil for this. However, if that’s all you have, I would definitely get in the habit of having fresh basil on hand. Just because it just is night and day between the flavor.

You can take a bite of fresh basil and then take a taste of dried basil and you’ll see they taste 100% different. It’s the one herb that I recommend always having fresh on hand when you’re making spaghetti sauce or you’re making this type of salad.

Can I use vegetable oil for this or avocado oil?🥑Yes, you can use those as alternatives, but just keep in mind that it’s not gonna give you the flavor that would make this salad taste its best, and plus olive oil is really healthy for you. Avocado oil‘s really healthy too it just doesn’t have that beautiful flavor that olive oil has.

Can I add other ingredients to the keto tomato and feta salad? Absolutely! There are plenty of great options to explore beyond tomatoes, basil, and feta.

You can personalize your salad by incorporating ingredients like cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, olives, or even grilled vegetables.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with flavors and textures to suit your preferences.

My sister uses Wesson oil for some of her salads, and if that works well for her, it may be a suitable choice for you too. Ultimately, the goal is to create a salad that you enjoy and that suits your taste preferences.

Colorful tomatoes—look great and you can add some avocado to the salad for a more delicious flavor and you can add toasted pinenuts which will really help take it up a notch as well as toast.

I like to crush up some keto Melba toast and then put it on top for another level of added crunch. YUM😋

Get creative in the kitchen and make your own signature tomato salad masterpiece. Whether it’s a classic Caprese or a refreshing Mediterranean twist, the possibilities are endless. Let your taste buds guide you and start experimenting today!