These Marinated Tomatoes are juicy, zesty, and full of bold, simple flavor. Just layer, shake, and chill — the kind of no-cook magic that you will love. Perfect for quick lunches, laid-back dinners, or whenever you want something fresh and full of flavor.
Whether you're prepping for a sunny dinner outdoors or making something quick for lunch, this simple dish brings together ripe tomatoes, crisp red onion, and a garlic-herb dressing that gets even better as it sits. It’s refreshing, satisfying, and incredibly easy to love.
▶️ Video Tutorial
💚 Why You’ll Love These Marinated Tomatoes
These marinated tomatoes are all about bright flavors, simplicity, and make-ahead ease:
- 🍅 Juicy and vibrant – Tomatoes soak up the bold, savory marinade.
- 🧄 Full of flavor – A mix of soy sauce, garlic, and herbs brings depth.
- ⏱️ Quick prep – Just slice, mix, and chill.
- 🌿 Fresh and herby – Parsley adds a clean, green lift.
- 🧊 Great for leftovers – Even better after a little rest in the fridge.
🧺 Ingredients You’ll Need
- 🍅 Tomatoes – 1 lb (500 g), sliced into rounds
- 🧅 Red onion – 1 medium (100 g), thinly sliced into rings
- 🌿 Fresh parsley – 2 tbsp (10 g), finely chopped
- 🧄 Garlic – 2 cloves (6 g), minced
- 🫒 Olive oil – 3 tbsp (45 ml)
- 🥄 Soy sauce – 1 tbsp (15 ml)
- 🍁 Maple syrup – 1 tsp (5 ml)
- 🧂 Salt – 1 tsp (6 g)
- 🌶️ Paprika – 1 tsp (2 g)
- 🍎 Apple cider vinegar – 1 tbsp (15 ml)
- ⚫ Black pepper – ⅛ tsp (0.3 g)
📋 How to Make Marinated Tomatoes
1. Slice the tomatoes. Cut the tomatoes into medium-thick rounds.
2. Layer the ingredients. In a container with a lid, add a layer of sliced tomatoes. Top with some red onion and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. Repeat the layers until everything is used.
3. Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, salt, paprika, vinegar, minced garlic, and black pepper.
4. Marinate. Pour the dressing over the tomatoes. Cover the container with a lid, shake gently to coat, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
👩🍳 Cooking Tips
- 🔪 Choose firm, ripe tomatoes – They hold their shape and absorb flavor well.
- 🧅 Slice onions thin – This keeps the texture gentle and balanced.
- 🧄 Use fresh garlic – It gives the marinade its signature kick.
- 🌿 Go with fresh parsley – Dried herbs won’t bring the same brightness.
- 🧊 Don’t skip the chill – A short rest in the fridge makes a big difference.
🧠 Tomatoes are more than just a summertime favorite — they’re packed with vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants like lycopene. They help support immunity, heart health, and overall wellness.
Read more about the health benefits of tomatoes.
🔀 Recipe Variations
- 🍋 Try lemon juice – For a slightly different tang.
- 🌶️ Add a little heat – A pinch of chili flakes if you like spice.
- 🍃 Swap the herbs – Fresh dill or basil also work beautifully.
- 🧅 Use shallots – A milder, sweeter alternative to red onion.
- 🧄 Garlic powder – A backup option if you’re out of fresh cloves.
🫙 Storage & Make-Ahead
🧊 Storage:
Keep in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 2 days. The flavors deepen as they rest.
⏳ Make-ahead tip:
This salad can be made the night before — just give it a gentle shake before serving.
🍽️ What to Serve With Marinated Tomatoes
🥔 Potatoes – Try them alongside Potatoes and Green Beans, Roasted Potatoes and Zucchini, or Perfect Baked Potatoes for a cozy and satisfying combo.
🥗 Salads and Cabbage – Serve with Vegan Potato Salad or add some crunch with Roasted Cabbage Steaks, Quick Vegan Cabbage, or Balsamic Roasted Cabbage Steaks.
🍚 Rice dishes – These tomatoes pair beautifully with Mushroom Rice, Spinach Rice, Vegan Rice and Beans, or Rice and Beans in the Oven.
💡Tip: Make a little extra — this salad disappears fast and keeps beautifully for leftovers.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Basil, dill, or chives are all great options.
It balances the acidity, but you can skip it or use a pinch of sugar instead.
You can use plain white vinegar or rice vinegar in its place.
Absolutely — it gets even better after a few hours or overnight in the fridge.
📝 Final Thoughts on Marinated Tomatoes
These marinated tomatoes are one of those effortless dishes that bring brightness to any table. They’re bold, juicy, and full of flavor — perfect for everyday meals, easy lunches, or summer gatherings.
Tried them? I’d love to know how it went — and if you added a twist of your own, feel free to share in the comments!
📄 Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and step-by-step instructions.
🍅 More tomato recipes:
Marinated Tomatoes
Video Tutorial
Ingredients
- 1 lb tomatoes sliced into rounds
- 1 medium red onion thinly sliced into rings
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- 2 medium garlic cloves minced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1⁄8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cut the tomatoes into medium-thick rounds.1 lb tomatoes
- In a container with a lid, add a layer of sliced tomatoes. Top with some red onion and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. Repeat the layers until everything is used.1 medium red onion, 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, salt, paprika, vinegar, minced garlic, and black pepper.2 medium garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp maple syrup, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1⁄8 tsp black pepper
- Pour the dressing over the tomatoes. Cover the container with a lid, shake gently to coat, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
🔀 Recipe Variations
- 🍋 Try lemon juice – For a slightly different tang.
- 🌶️ Add a little heat – A pinch of chili flakes if you like spice.
- 🍃 Swap the herbs – Fresh dill or basil also work beautifully.
- 🧅 Use shallots – A milder, sweeter alternative to red onion.
- 🧄 Garlic powder – A backup option if you’re out of fresh cloves.
Served this salad recipe to a few parties niw and it is a hit each time!
Thank you so much, Riz — this truly makes me so happy! 🥰 I’m so glad it was a hit at your parties. It means a lot that you enjoyed the recipe!
Delicious
Thank you, Elaine! 🌿 I’m so glad you enjoyed the tomatoes — that makes me really happy. 💛
Could I add mozzarella?
That sounds like a tasty idea, Dianne! If you’d like to keep it plant-based, you could also try it with a dairy-free mozzarella.