Side Recipes

Czech Tomato Salad with Onion

4 servings

This traditional Czech and Slovak side salad is very refreshing, and it is especially perfect as a side to heavier meals. Although the combination of tomatoes, powdered sugar, and finely chopped onion may sound strange to you, after you try my Tomato Salad with Onion, you will enjoy it! It is a beautifully simple Cold Cuisine dish that uses fresh ingredients alongside a quick dressing made with distilled white vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Read More

☆☆☆☆☆0x(write a review)👁312x
Tom the ChefPublished: 7.6.2026
Side Recipes
VegetarianVeganGluten-freeDairy-free
10 min.
10 min.
1/5
95 calories Per Serving (of 4) Read More

Before You Start

Let’s talk about important parts of the recipe before you start…

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Welcome to My Tomato Salad with Onion Recipe

I am so thrilled to share my traditional Czech and Slovak side salad with you today. This Tomato Salad with Onion is very refreshing and is especially perfect as a side to heavier meals. When I first introduce this Cold Cuisine to people, the combination of tomatoes, powdered sugar, and finely chopped onion might sound strange, but I promise that after you try it, you will enjoy it immensely. The unique dressing comes together quickly in a small mixing bowl using distilled white vinegar, cold water, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil, while the fresh baby tomatoes or diced tomatoes are tossed in a medium mixing bowl. Let’s make this delightful side dish together, finishing it off with a touch of fresh parsley!

1. Preparing the Sweet and Tangy Dressing

The secret to my Tomato Salad with Onion lies in the unique sweet and tangy dressing. To begin preparing this Cold Cuisine favorite, you will need a small mixing bowl. Place one quarter cup of cold water, one tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar, one tablespoon of powdered sugar, half a teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of freshly ground pepper into the small mixing bowl. Use a French whisk to thoroughly stir until fully combined. The powdered sugar might sound unusual for a traditional Czech and Slovak side salad, but it perfectly balances the acidity of the distilled white vinegar and the richness of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

2. Preparing the Tomatoes for the Salad

Tomatoes are the absolute star of this Tomato Salad with Onion, so preparing them correctly is essential. You will need two pounds of tomatoes for this recipe. You can use standard tomatoes and make sure they are diced using your cutting board and chef’s knife, or if you prefer, you can use baby tomatoes cut in half. Both options work wonderfully for this refreshing Cold Cuisine. Placing these diced or halved baby tomatoes into your medium mixing bowl sets the foundation for our traditional Czech and Slovak side salad, getting them ready to soak up the beautiful dressing made from distilled white vinegar, powdered sugar, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

3. Chopping the Onion for the Perfect Crunch

To complement the juicy tomatoes in my Tomato Salad with Onion, we must prepare the onion. The recipe calls for one white onion, though you can use another kind if you prefer. It is vital that the onion is peeled and finely chopped. A finely chopped onion distributes its sharp, crisp flavor evenly throughout the traditional Czech and Slovak side salad without overpowering the delicate balance of the powdered sugar, distilled white vinegar, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Once it is finely chopped, add it right into the medium mixing bowl with your diced tomatoes or baby tomatoes.

4. Assembling the Salad in the Medium Mixing Bowl

Once your vegetables are prepped and your dressing is whisked in the small mixing bowl, it is time for the salad assembly. In your medium mixing bowl, you should already have your two pounds of diced tomatoes or baby tomatoes and your finely chopped onion. Now, pour the dressing prepared in step one over the vegetables. Using a silicone spatula, thoroughly stir until fully combined. Mixing everything gently in the medium mixing bowl ensures that every single bite of this Tomato Salad with Onion is perfectly coated in the delicious blend of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, distilled white vinegar, and powdered sugar, making it the ultimate Cold Cuisine side dish.

5. Tasting and Adjusting the Final Flavors

After assembling the Tomato Salad with Onion, the next crucial step is tasting and adjusting the seasoning. Every batch of tomatoes can vary in sweetness and acidity, so I always recommend tasting the mixed salad. If needed, you can add more Extra Virgin Olive Oil, distilled white vinegar, salt, and/or ground pepper to achieve the perfect flavor profile. This flexibility ensures your traditional Czech and Slovak side salad turns out exactly as refreshing as you like it. Just remember to stir it well in your medium mixing bowl after any adjustments to maintain the perfect Cold Cuisine experience.

6. Adding the Final Touch with Fresh Parsley

The final step to completing this beautiful Tomato Salad with Onion is adding a pop of color and herbaceous flavor. Once you have tasted and adjusted the distilled white vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil to your liking in the medium mixing bowl, you will decorate the dish with fresh parsley. The fresh parsley adds a wonderful, vibrant green contrast against the red tomatoes or baby tomatoes and the white finely chopped onion. While you could optionally add a modification like fresh dill or basil, please note that is a modification that is not part of the recipe. Sticking strictly to the fresh parsley keeps it completely authentic to my traditional Czech and Slovak side salad roots.

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Czech Tomato Salad with Onion

4 servingsTom the ChefPublished: 7.6.2026 ☆☆☆☆☆0x(write a review)👁312x
10 min.
10 min.
1/5
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Ingredients:

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Salad:
¼ cup of water - cold
1 TBSP of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (adjust if needed)
1 TBSP of distilled white vinegar (adjust if needed)
1 TBSP of powdered sugar (adjust if needed)
½ TSP of salt (adjust if needed)
½ TSP of ground pepper - ideally freshly ground
2 LB of tomatoes - diced (or baby tomatoes cut in half)
1 white onion - peeled and finely chopped (or other kind)
Final touch:
fresh parsley

Tools:

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1x Measuring Cups
1x Measuring Spoons
1x Chef’s knife
1x Cutting Board
1x Small Mixing Bowl (about 1 QT)
1x French Whisk
1x Medium Mixing Bowl (3 – 4 QT)
1x Silicone Spatula

Nutrition per 1 Serving:(recipe split into 4 servings)

Estimated
Calories 95 Protein 2.4 g Fat 3.9 g Saturated fat 0.6 g Carbohydrate 14.8 g Sugars 10.1 g Fiber 3.3 g Sodium 212 mg Cholesterol 0 mg
VegetarianVeganGluten-freeDairy-free
Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients above using the United States Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central reference data. An estimate, not a measurement — brands, sizes and how much of a marinade actually ends up on the plate all move it.
Directions:

1.Dressing Preparation:

1.1.
Place into a small mixing bowl:
¼ cup of cold water
1 TBSP of Extra Virgin Olive Oil – adjust if needed
1 TBSP of white vinegar – adjust if needed
1 TBSP of powdered sugar
½ TSP of salt
½ TSP of ground pepper – ideally freshly ground

Thoroughly stir until fully combined using a whisk.

2.Salad Assembly:

2.1.
Place into a medium mixing bowl:
2 LB of tomatoes – diced
1 onion – finely chopped
Dressing prepared in step 1

Thoroughly stir with a spatula until fully combined.

2.2.

Taste and add Extra Virgin Olive Oil, white vinegar, salt, and/or pepper if needed. Decorate with fresh parsley.

Glass bowl of Czech Tomato Salad with Onion, garnished with parsley, on a yellow plate
Glass bowl of Czech Tomato Salad with Onion, garnished with parsley, on a yellow plateGlass bowl of Czech Tomato Salad with Onion, diced tomatoes and herb garnish, on a yellow plate.Glass bowl of Czech Tomato Salad with Onion, diced tomatoes and onion, parsley garnish, yellow plate.Czech Tomato Salad with Onion in a glass bowl, garnished with parsley, on a yellow plate.Glass bowl of diced tomato and onion Czech Tomato Salad with Onion, topped with cilantro, on a yellow plateSmall glass bowl of diced Czech Tomato Salad topped with parsley, served on a yellow plate.Glass bowl of Czech Tomato Salad with Onion, diced tomato and onion topped with parsley, on a yellow plate.Glass bowl of Czech Tomato Salad with Onion, diced tomato and onion topped with parsley, on a yellow plateGlass bowl of Czech Tomato Salad with Onion, diced tomatoes and onion topped with parsley, on a yellow plate.Glass bowl of Czech Tomato Salad with Onion, garnished with a sprig of herb, on a yellow plate.Glass bowl of Czech Tomato Salad with Onion, diced tomato and onion topped with parsley, on a yellow plate.

Popular questions

Can I use different types of tomatoes for this Tomato Salad with Onion?

Yes, you absolutely can! For my Tomato Salad with Onion, the recipe specifically calls for two pounds of diced tomatoes, but it also notes in the ingredients that you can use baby tomatoes cut in half instead. Using baby tomatoes works wonderfully for this traditional Czech and Slovak side salad and mixes beautifully in the medium mixing bowl with the finely chopped onion. The dressing, made from distilled white vinegar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and powdered sugar in a small mixing bowl, will coat any variety of tomato perfectly for this refreshing Cold Cuisine dish. If you wanted to add a modification like sliced cucumbers for extra crunch, you could certainly do so, but please note that is a modification that is not part of the recipe.