America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Grilled Onion and Tomato Salad

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 5, 2011

Time

55 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Grilled Onion and Tomato Salad

Ingredients

3 medium red onions (about 1 ¼ pounds), cut into rounds ½ inch thick, rounds left intact3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Salt and ground black pepper 3 small tomatoes (ripe, about 1 pound), cored and cut into wedges ¾ inch thick10 fresh basil leaves, chopped coarse2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Before You Begin

Use a high-quality, aged balsamic vinegar. This salad is especially good with grilled meat.

Instructions

  1. Insert 2 toothpicks into sides of each onion round to keep layers intact on grill. Lay onion rounds on large baking sheet and brush both sides with 2 tablespoons oil. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Grill onions over medium-hot heat (you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill surface for 3 to 4 seconds), turning once until lightly charred, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer onions to cutting board and cool slightly. Remove and discard toothpicks. Cut onion rounds in half and place in serving bowl; toss gently to separate layers. Add tomatoes, basil, and salt and pepper to taste; drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the vinegar. Toss gently and serve. (Can be covered and set aside for 1 hour.)
Grilled Onion and Tomato Salad

Grilled Onion and Tomato Salad

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
Save

Time

55 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 medium red onions (about 1 ¼ pounds), cut into rounds ½ inch thick, rounds left intact
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper
3 small tomatoes (ripe, about 1 pound), cored and cut into wedges ¾ inch thick
10 fresh basil leaves, chopped coarse
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Ingredients

3 medium red onions (about 1 ¼ pounds), cut into rounds ½ inch thick, rounds left intact
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper
3 small tomatoes (ripe, about 1 pound), cored and cut into wedges ¾ inch thick
10 fresh basil leaves, chopped coarse
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Ingredients

3 medium red onions (about 1 ¼ pounds), cut into rounds ½ inch thick, rounds left intact
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper
3 small tomatoes (ripe, about 1 pound), cored and cut into wedges ¾ inch thick
10 fresh basil leaves, chopped coarse
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Why This Recipe Works

We found that timing was everything when grilling flavorful vegetables for a salad to accompany chicken, meat, or fish. We cooked the vegetables first and then assembled the salad, which could sit around while we grilled the main course. Because the vegetables in our grilled vegetable salad recipes had to be oiled generously before grilling, we used oil sparingly in the dressing so the salads wouldn’t taste greasy.

Before You Begin

Use a high-quality, aged balsamic vinegar. This salad is especially good with grilled meat.

Instructions

  1. Insert 2 toothpicks into sides of each onion round to keep layers intact on grill. Lay onion rounds on large baking sheet and brush both sides with 2 tablespoons oil. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Grill onions over medium-hot heat (you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill surface for 3 to 4 seconds), turning once until lightly charred, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer onions to cutting board and cool slightly. Remove and discard toothpicks. Cut onion rounds in half and place in serving bowl; toss gently to separate layers. Add tomatoes, basil, and salt and pepper to taste; drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the vinegar. Toss gently and serve. (Can be covered and set aside for 1 hour.)

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.