Ensalada Chilena

Ensalada Chilena is a Chilean tomato and onion salad commonly served with grilled meat, fried fish and other substantial dishes. This profile follows Chilean cook Pilar Hernandez’s straightforward yellow-onion version.

Ripe tomatoes provide juicy sweetness and acidity, while thin yellow onion adds a softened savoury bite. Sunflower oil rounds the dressing, with wine vinegar, salt and black pepper keeping it bright and lightly sharp.

The salad is loose and glossy, with red tomato wedges and fine pale onion slices. The tomatoes remain juicy and the briefly soaked onion retains a gentle crispness.