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When heirloom tomato salad comes to mind, you probably picture it with mozzarella and basil. Lately, I’ve been giving mine an umami-forward twist using tahini, tamari, toasted sesame oil, and mirin. The tahini adds a creamy depth, while hemp seeds and sesame seeds bring texture and richness.

A white plate with sliced red and yellow heirloom tomatoes topped with chopped basil, sesame seeds, and a light dressing; a fork and extra sesame seeds are beside this vibrant heirloom tomato salad.Pin
Sprinkling hemp seeds over the top looks pretty — and adds a boost of protein! Image: Kate Feinberg

Why You’ll Love This

Any time I need a quick snack, I eat a bowl of tomatoes with salt, pepper, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar — and I’ve been doing this for as long as I can remember. But when you eat tomatoes as much as I do, why not change it up every once in a while?

My pantry is stocked with tahini, so after drizzling a plate of tomatoes with the umami-rich sesame seed paste, I reached for a handful of other ingredients that I thought would pair well. The result? A surprisingly delicious way to enjoy tomatoes. And for someone who swears by tomatoes and balsamic, I make this tomato salad version just as much, if not more.

Ingredients

  • Heirloom tomatoes: If you can, opt for organic heirloom tomatoes — the flavor is so much sweeter.
  • Dressing: Tahini, tamari, mirin, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil.
  • Hemp seeds and sesame seeds: Add a little extra texture.
  • Basil: Regular basil is easier to find, but if you have it, use Thai basil.
A plate with yellow and red heirloom tomatoes, two small bowls of seeds, and bottles of tahini, sesame oil, rice vinegar, mirin, and tamari arranged on a table for an Heirloom Tomato Salad.Pin
If you can, use organic heirloom tomatoes for optimal flavor and texture. Image: Kate Feinberg

How to Make Heirloom Tomato Salad

  1. Slice the tomatoes. And arrange them on a serving plate.
  2. Add the dressing. Drizzle each dressing ingredient separately over the top of the tomatoes.
  3. Garnish. Scatter with basil, hemp seeds, and sesame seeds.
Sliced red and yellow tomatoes topped with chopped basil, grated cheese, and a drizzle of dressing on a white plate.Pin
When you drizzle the dressing ingredients separately over top, each bite offers a delightfully different flavor. Image: Kate Feinberg

Tips

  • Add ingredients one at a time rather than combining them into a single dressing. This helps control the balance of flavors and prevents the tomatoes from getting overly soggy.
  • Slice the tomatoes thick and avoid chopping too much — keeping the structure intact preserves their juices and delivers better flavor with less liquid on the plate.
  • Start small and build up. Strong flavors like tamari and sesame oil can easily overpower, so begin with light drizzles and adjust to taste.

Hope you enjoy this easy heirloom tomato salad recipe!

Sliced red and yellow tomatoes topped with chopped basil, grated cheese, and a drizzle of dressing on a white plate.Pin

Heirloom Tomato Salad

Juicy heirloom tomatoes get an umami-rich upgrade with tahini, tamari, toasted sesame oil, mirin, and a sprinkle of hemp and sesame seeds.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer, Salad
Servings 6 servings
Calories 60 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 heirloom tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tahini
  • 1/2 tbsp tamari
  • 2 tsp mirin
  • 2 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tsp hemp seeds
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds
  • Basil or Thai basil

Instructions
 

  • Slice the heirloom tomatoes and arrange on a serving plate.
  • Drizzle with tahini, tamari, mirin, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil. Sprinkle hemp seeds and sesame seeds over top and scatter with fresh, chopped basil.

Nutrition

Calories: 60kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 104mgPotassium: 309mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1035IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
Keyword heirloom tomatoes, tahini dressing
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Kate Feinberg
About the Author
Kate Feinberg

Kate Feinberg is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor & Sponsored Content Specialist, based in Nashville. She has more than 14 years of freelance writing experience covering travel, wellness, and lifestyle. A certified meditation teacher, RYT-200 yoga instructor, and integrative nutrition health coach, she brings a strong wellness perspective to her work. Kate is also a marathon runner and the creator of a plant-based food blog, Chef Kate F, where she shares nourishing recipes and mindful living tips. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her on the golf course, exploring new destinations, or combining both with golf-focused travel. She enjoys lake life on Percy Priest Lake.