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Cucumber Tomato Salad is healthy, refreshing and oh so delicious. Full of crisp cucumbers, onions and juicy tomatoes in a simple dressing, it’s perfect for summer side dishes, BBQ parties and picnics.
You will love this simple cucumber and tomato salad recipe. It combines all the good things into a refreshing bowl. This cucumber & salad dish is quick and easy to make, fresh, flavorful and full of textures. Oh, and it’s healthy, keto friendly, and low calorie, perfect for weight loss diets. Together with our cucumber salad without tomatoes, this recipe is must-try this summer.
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
This old fashion cucumber and tomato salad is so easy. You’ll need cucumber and onion and tomato, plus a simple dressing made of olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Feel free to toss in a tablespoon of fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro or basil. Here are all details about ingredients and substitutes.
- English cucumbers. English cucumbers are the best for salad. They are larger in size, with a thin outer skin, a sweeter flavor and almost no seeds. You may also find them under the name of seedless or European cucumbers. Other types of cucumber can also be used, but you’ll probably need to remove seeds and skin.
- Tomatoes. This salad recipe mixes cucumber with fresh dices of cherry tomatoes. They’re sweet and sour, with a fruity aromatic flavor. As an alternative you can chop some grape tomatoes or Roma tomatoes.
- Red onion. I like using red onion because it gives this dish the best taste, texture and colors. Some people prefer a Southern cucumber and tomato salad made from white onion.
- Olive oil. I recommend Italian extra virgin olive oil, it is flavorsome and perfect for our Mediterranean cucumber and tomato salad dressing. Avocado oil is another alternative, but I wouldn’t use low quality seed oil.
- Apple cider vinegar. This is my personal choice, I love how sweet and sour it tastes. It is fruity and delicate, perfect for this refreshing salad vinaigrette. You can substitute ACV with white vine vinegar, red white vinegar, or Italian balsamic vinegar.
- Salt and pepper. I find that cucumber tomato onion salad has plenty of flavor already by itself, but a hint of sea salt and ground black pepper will give that extra kick.
How to make cucumber tomato salad
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl or mason jar, stir olive oil together with apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper. Add as much salt and pepper as you feel necessary, you can always fix the taste later on.
- Prepare the vegetables. Wash all fresh ingredients very well, transfer them over a clean surface, and then get a large mixing bowl. Dice both cherry tomatoes and cucumber, then place them in the bowl. Thinly slice the red onion, and add it to your bowl. If you are making tomato onion salad with English cucumber, there is no need to peel and deseed cucumbers.
- Toss salad with dressing. Toss cucumber and tomato onion salad with vinegar dressing, then place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 20 minutes.
- Adjust flavors and serve. After it has chilled, taste the salad and season with more salt if it is necessary. Serve as a fresh side dish for your meals.
Watch our step-by-step video recipe
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, this simple cuke tomato salad can be prepared ahead of time. You can place leftovers into an airtight container, seal with lid, then refrigerate overnight. If properly stored, cucumber tomato onion salad will stay fresh for a maximum of two days. However, I strongly recommend eating it within the first day. It tends to lose its crisp texture and fresh flavors quite quickly. Before serving, give it a gentle stir to rejuvenate the salad with vinaigrette marinade.
Variations
- The fresh summer taste of this cucumber and tomato dish lends itself to cheese pairings, such as feta cheese, mozzarella bites, Parmesan, or blue cheese.
- For a more filling dish, include a source of protein, such as fresh chickpea, air fryer chickpeas, tofu, or even tuna fish.
- Make it a meal by mixing it with couscous, orzo, farro, quinoa, corn, or pasta for a satisfying cucumber and tomato pasta salad.
- Try cucumber tomato avocado salad, it tastes so delicious mixed with diced avocado and garbanzo beans.
- I like marinating cucumber and tomato salad with apple cider vinegar dressing, but feel free to marinate it with another salad dressing such as Italian dressing or balsamic vinegar.
- Add flavor and color to your cuke tomato onion salad with the addition of fresh herbs, such as cilantro, parsley, dill or basil for an Italian touch.
What can I serve with cucumber tomato salad?
- Air fryer tofu
- Salmon patties
- Air fryer hard boiled eggs
- Potato fritters
- Air fryer corn on the cob
- Fish cakes
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber, also known as seedless cucumbers, diced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, diced
- ⅓ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, or red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley or cilantro, optional
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- To make the dressing, stir olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Dice tomatoes and cucumber, thinly slice onions if you haven't already.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine diced tomatoes with cucumber, sliced red onion and optionally chopped parsley or cilantro. Toss cucumber tomato salad with the dressing, then place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 20 minutes.
- After it has chilled, taste the salad and season with more salt if it is necessary. Serve as a fresh side dish for your meals.
This is now my favorite summer salad. I highly recommend fresh mint to make this even more refreshing!
Hey dear Jan,
thank you very much for the feedback! I am happy to hear that you like this cucumber tomato salad recipe. It’s refreshing and so easy to make, perfect for Summer ๐
I will definitely try it out with mint, it must be so delicious. And if you like mint, then I recommend trying our watermelon feta salad recipe. It is SO SO good!
Have a great day,
Matteo
Excellent and refreshing.
Hey Carole,
I hope you are doing great. I completely agree with you. This cucumber onion salad with tomatoes is so refreshing, my favorite vegetable dish for hot summer days. We love it for dinners and refreshing lunches at the park, as a picnic.
All the best,
Matteo
Wonderful recipe from a promising new young chef. Good luck and thanks for sharing!
Hey my dear Jolene,
thank you so so so much for your kind comment! Your words just made my day, I am eternally grateful.
I promise, you will love this cucumber tomato onion salad, the perfect Summer side dish ๐
Have a great weekend,
Matteo
Love this easy go to salad.
Hey dear Tracy,
thanks a lot for your kind feedback. Oh yes, I completely agree with you. Tomato cucumber salad is so fresh and delicious, we love it here at home with anything!! I highly recommend trying cucumber tomato salad with chickpeas ๐ So good!
Have a great Sunday,
Matteo
Lovely recipe!
Hey dear Ivana,
thanks a lot for your feedback! I am so glad that you liked this simple cucumber salad recipe ๐
Have a great day,
Matteo
Cucumber tomato salad I like to mix with fetta cheese! Is delicious ?
Hey dear Liza,
thank you so so much!! Oh yes indeed, mixing this easy cucumber and tomato salad with feta is such a great idea. With olive oil and onion, it tastes like a Greek salad!
Have a great day,
Matteo