I’ve Made This “Unbelievable” Tomato Salad So Many Times I’ve Totally Lost Count

It’s getting to be that time of year when it’s so hot I can barely stand it, but at least all the produce is gorgeous and refreshing. That’s where my tomato plum salad comes into play. I make this salad multiple times a summer, every summer, but it’s never exactly the same. The mix of peak season plums, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions hit every note — it’s juicy, crunchy, tart, savory, and sweet all at once. It’s the perfect side to anything grilled and keeps well for transport, so it’s ideal for picnics. Plus, the light sumac-lemon vinaigrette gives the salad a real goes-with-anything vibe you’ll want with every cookout. 

The number one rule of this salad is no mediocre produce! I’m being very serious about this. There are times where I’ll say, “It’s fine, grab whatever is at the store,” but this is simply not that time. This recipe is a celebration of summer, so it’s much better to make a big substitution than to go for something lackluster. It also means not being beholden to specific varieties of fruits or vegetables.

You can use any variety of plum, tomato, or cucumber that looks good, even if it isn’t listed specifically in the recipe. You can even swap out the plums for other fruits. My favorite and most frequent substitution is honeydew for the cucumbers — the sweet-savory combo will turn honeydew haters into believers. The only important thing is that the salad is juicy, refreshing, and full of flavor.

• A big bowl of summer. This bright, crunchy, juicy salad is filled with peak-season tomatoes, plums, and cucumbers that beg to be eaten outside.
• Grilled meat found a new best friend. The tangy sweet and savory flavor makes it the perfect companion to anything you’re throwing on the grill.

• Plums: You’ll want plums that are ripe but still a little firm so they don’t fall apart when slicing.
• Tomatoes: Grab the best small or medium tomatoes you can find. You can even use bigger varieties like heirloom tomatoes if they’re calling your name.
• Cucumbers: While they aren’t the star of the show, cucumbers add a snappy crunch and cool, refreshing flavor.

• Swap the cucumbers for slices of honeydew melon.
• Add fresh red or white currants if you have access to them for bursts of tangy flavor.
• Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of pomegranate molasses to the dressing.
• Use other fresh herbs like chives, tarragon, dill, or fennel fronds.
• Substitute the lemon juice with white wine vinegar or rice vinegar.
• If the plums look terrible, use other stone fruits like pitted cherries, sliced peaches or nectarines, or even quartered strawberries instead.