Tomato Onion Blue Cheese Salad is simple, full of seasonal summer flavors, and is as delicious as it is beautiful.
Hopefully you’re very hungry for a new recipe!
This recipe just so happens to be a lovely appetizer to serve at your July 4th barbecue. And with this Tomato Onion Blue Cheese Salad, you’ll be a hit for sure!
Recently I was in Hawaii with my husband and boys for a much needed week of pure relaxation and fun!
And really delicious food!
Inspiration for Tomato Onion Blue Cheese Salad
I have a few restaurants I can’t wait to tell you about in the next couple of weeks! First though, I thought I’d share this super quick and easy appetizer that we had one night a the Kona Inn.
This time of year I’m always super happy to be served almost any variation of a summer tomato salad, and this is definitely my new favorite.
A Simple and Easy Salad
Other than the sweet Maui onions, this recipe isn’t Hawaiian, but I loved the simplicity and beauty of it. It may resemble the Italian Caprese, but the flavor profile is quite different.
What’s in Tomato Onion Blue Cheese Salad?
It’s almost all in the title. Well, plus basil, balsamic vinegar and pepper. That’s it!
Can you make it ahead?
You can arrange the ingredients up to a couple hours ahead of time. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. (The balsamic glaze should not be added until the moment you serve.)
Also inspired from Hawaii:
And now a few important thank yous in case they’re reading this . . .
To my friend Aimée, for encouraging me to make our Hawaiian vacation happen!
To my aunt Roberta, without your help, I would not have left town. Simple as that.
To my brother John, for taking Annabelle to the dog park every day, and brightening Dad’s days by bringing him with you.
To my cousin Beth, for cooking so much delicious food for my parents. (Not just while I was away, but for the last several weeks!)
To my in laws, for taking such good care of our house and dogs!
And to my husband for always being my rock. And for answering me with “whatever you want” every time I asked about something I wanted to do while in Hawaii. 😉

Tomato Onion Blue Cheese Salad
Ingredients
- 2 tomatoes (about the size of plums) washed, dried, sliced into thin rounds
- 1 Maui onion, peeled and sliced very thinly
- 10 large basil leaves, washed and dried
- 2 teaspoons blue cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Alternating between the tomato and onion slices, arrange them on a round plate. Add a basil leaf after each onion slice, and then sprinkle the blue cheese over the top.
- Add the balsamic vinegar to a very small sauté pan and place it over medium-high heat. Cook until it thickens and reduces by about half.
- Drizzle the reduced balsamic and grind a bit of pepper over the tomatoes and onions and serve.
Roberta Stone says
I’m reading. Printing some recipes. And, thanking you back for your thank you. Can’t wait to see more food from The Island.
valentina says
Awwww. Love you! XOXO
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says
What a colourful and summery salad and love the addition of blue cheese
valentina says
Thank you! 😀
Krystallia Giamouridou says
Positively speeking, it looks like a salad ratatouille to me! 😀
valentina says
I love it! 🙂
Renee says
I love how simple it is, blue cheese is soo good in salads!
valentina says
Thank you. That was my son’s favorite part.
Ellen says
Such a lovely and delicious salad. Glad you got away to Hawaii.
valentina says
Thanks so much, Ellen! 🙂
Shashi at Savory Spin says
Sounds like you have a wonderful support system – hoping your dad continues to recover and your mom’s health issues subside as best they can – and, glad you and your fam got to take a break in Hawaii with some delicious food! Speaking of delicious – this salad sounds wonderful!
valentina says
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I so appreciate it! And I hope you try the salad. 🙂 xo
Denise says
This salad looks so good, I can’t wait to give it a try. Thank you for sharing it with us ?
valentina says
Thank YOU!
Mimi Swaby says
This salad sounds perfect for a hot summer’s day!
http://www.mimazine.co.uk/
valentina says
Many thanks, Mimi. Yes, perfect for the warmer weather! 🙂
David says
Such gorgeous colors! I wish I could eat raw onions but (is it my age?) my stomach won’t have anything to do with them. Not even scallions any more… ☹️ However, nothing will stop me from the tomatoes, basil, and blue cheese!! And I don’t know about you all on California, Valentina, but we are having an awesome tomato year in Tucson!
valentina says
Yes, it’s a fantastic tomato year here, too. I can’t get enough!!! And they’re just so pretty!
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
Now I know why you had to think when I asked how your boys are doing! It’s your parents I should have also enquired about! Hope your dad is doing better after his surgery, Valentina! You are quite amazing to keep your site up with so much going on!
I would love this tomato and onion salad, and the addition of the cheese is stellar! The photos aren’t half bad either! 🙂 So lovely seeing you today!
valentina says
It was lovely to see you!!! Thank you so much for the sweet comment. 🙂 XOXO
sippitysup says
I’m sure Hawaii was as delicious as this salad. I’m happy to hear you made time for that. I too have a little tropical getaway planned for later this month (Tahiti & Moorea!). GREG
valentina says
TAHITI!!! The best! I’m sure that will be so amazingly beautiful and relaxing. ENJOY EVERY MOMENT!! XOXO