If you’re looking for a red-and-white salad, appetizer or side for Canada Day, this Tomato and Bocconcini Salad is ideal. Cherry tomatoes and bocconcini cheese balls create a striking contrast, while fresh basil adds a bright, delicious flavor to this simple dish.
This tomato and bocconcini salad is one of my go-to recipes for entertaining because it’s so quick and easy to prepare.
It really takes five minutes and just five main ingredients to assemble. It works perfectly as a salad or as an appetizer — you can even serve tomato-and-bocconcini skewers as a finger food side.
Just toss the ingredients together in a bowl and stir. It’s that simple.
Light, fresh and full of flavor, this salad fits perfectly into a red-and-white theme for celebrations like Canada Day, Valentine’s Day or Christmas.
If you grow tomatoes or find a summer abundance of grape or cherry tomatoes, this recipe is a great way to use them. I often reach for recipes like this when I have lots of small tomatoes on hand.
What is bocconcini cheese?
Bocconcini are small, round balls of mozzarella. They have a mild, milky flavor and a soft texture that pairs beautifully with tomatoes and fresh herbs. You can usually find them in the specialty cheese or deli section of grocery stores; they’re packed in water in a small tub.
Tomato and Bocconcini Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 20 bocconcini balls (small mozzarella balls)
- 20 cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- 40 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- sea salt, to taste
- optional: 2 tbsp chopped parsley and/or 1 tbsp chopped chives
To make this easy salad:
Slice the bocconcini balls in half. You can halve the tomatoes too if they’re large, but I usually leave cherry or grape tomatoes whole.
Place the tomatoes and bocconcini in a mixing bowl and drizzle with the olive oil.
Chop the basil and add it to the bowl. If you’re using parsley or chives, stir those in as well.
Finish with a generous sprinkling of sea salt and gently toss everything to coat the tomatoes and bocconcini in oil and seasoning.
Transfer the salad to a pretty serving bowl and chill briefly before serving for best flavor. If you’re serving it as an appetizer, provide toothpicks so guests can spear tomatoes and bocconcini for easy eating.
Enjoy — Bon appétit and Happy Canada Day!
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Tomatoes and Bocconcini Salad
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 20 bocconcini balls (small mozzarella balls)
- 20 cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- 40 small basil leaves
- sprinkling of sea salt
- optional: 1 tbsp chopped chives and/or 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
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Slice bocconcini and tomatoes in half if desired and place them in a bowl.
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Drizzle with olive oil.
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Add chopped basil (and optional herbs) to the bowl.
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Sprinkle with sea salt to taste.
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Toss gently to combine and transfer to a serving bowl.
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Chill briefly, then serve.
Nutrition
More patriotic ideas for you to enjoy:
Canada Day Wind Twirlers
Canada Day God’s Eye Craft
4th of July Twig Ornaments