There’s nothing like the first fresh strawberries of the year. Thanks to supermarkets we get to enjoy these tasty fruits all year long, but they’re absolutely the best in early summer.

To make good use of these highly perishable fruits this strawberry tomato salad mixes a bit of sweet with a bit of savory. It might sound strange at first, but the result is cool, refreshing, and so tasty- perfect for summer get togethers (or anytime). This salad has minimal allergens (with no dairy, soy, or nuts) so it’s great for group gatherings where you may have a lot of different dietary needs among the party-goers.

For this recipe the tomatoes are just as important as the strawberries. For these photos I chose a mix of different color hothouse and heirloom tomatoes so that it would be more colorful. The heirloom varieties I find have a lot more flavor than “regular” tomatoes.

Your salad will be even tastier if you use homegrown tomatoes! But, if for some reason you don’t love the idea of strawberries and tomatoes together here’s a very simple substitute- just use yellow peaches instead. You’ll still get a ton of flavor and color, but with a sweeter flavor.

Tomatoes are technically fruit, but many folks they think of them as a savory vegetable. To each their own! No matter which fruits you use for this salad the things that make it such a refreshing experience are the fresh basil and mint leaves in it.

There’s something about strawberry and mint that’s so magical. It’s a winning combination that really feels quite summery and bright.

The next time you’re deciding on a salad, consider making this one since it’s a little sweet, a little savory, and a lot fresh!