This cucumber tomato salad is crisp, juicy, and loaded with Mediterranean flavors. Perfect for summer, it’s made with simple ingredients like red onion, fresh herbs, and a light olive oil and vinegar dressing. Serve it as a side, light lunch, or healthy snack.
There's something undeniably refreshing about a cucumber tomato salad, especially during the warm summer months. This simple yet flavorful dish combines the crispness of cucumbers with the juicy sweetness of tomatoes, all brought together with a tangy dressing.
Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or looking for a light lunch option, this cucumber tomato salad fits the bill. It's quick to prepare, requires minimal ingredients, and can be customized to suit your taste preferences.
I grew up eating this salad all summer long. Some of my favorite meals were made by my grandmother Elisabeta and they were super simple: French fries made from scratch with cucumber tomato salad and feta, fried eggs with a side of this salad, or plates of grilled meats sausages or the Romanian mititei paired with it. Sometimes we added roasted eggplant dip too. For me, this salad still means hot days and really good food.
Jump to:
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Salad
- Naturally fits a Mediterranean diet and low-calorie lifestyle.
- Uses fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and pantry staples.
- Quick and easy: done in 15 minutes.
- Delicious with grilled meats, pita chips, or on its own.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
- Tomatoes: Roma, grape, cherry, or organic tomatoes work best
- Cucumbers: English, Persian, or seedless cucumbers for fewer seeds and more crunch
- Red onion: or sweet onion or green onions
- Bell peppers: any color, optional for extra crunch
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Red wine vinegar: You can use apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or lime juice
- Kosher salt, black pepper
- Optional: Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or mint
- Optional: Feta cheese, Kalamata olives
🥣 How To Make It
- Slice tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and peppers. Add to a large bowl.
- Whisk olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl
- Pour dressing over salad and toss
- Optional: Top with feta and olives if using
- Serve at room temperature with crusty bread, pita bread or pita chips.
Pro Tip: Let the salad sit for 5–10 minutes so the juices mix into the dressing, that’s the best part.
🧊 Storage Tips
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1–2 days, but make sure you drain the juices before. It is best consumed on the same day, if possible.
- Do not freeze.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Serve as a side salad with grilled chicken or fish
- Children love this salad next to French Fries made from scratch. Or next to a fried egg.
- Spoon it over lettuce for a quick vegetable salad.
- Add chickpeas or cooked beans for protein.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Yes, but add the dressing just before serving to avoid sogginess.
Yes, especially without cheese. It’s packed with vitamin C and fits a healthy side for any calorie diet.
🔗 Try These Next
- Best Cucumber Salad
- Classic Caprese Salad
- Spicy Chickpeas Salad
- Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
- Easy Chickpeas Salad with Feta and Mint
📖 Recipe
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes sliced into thin wedges
- 1 medium sweet bell peppers any color, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium red or white onion thinly sliced (or 3–4 green onions, chopped)
- 2 small cucumbers or 1 large English cucumber peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or vinegar of choice
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste
- Optional: 1–2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
- Optional: A few Kalamata olives
- Optional: Fresh baguette slices for serving
Instructions
- Wash and slice all vegetables, then place them in a large bowl.
- Add olive oil, vinegar, and salt. Toss gently to combine.
- Top with feta and olives if using. Serve with fresh bread.
Notes
- For added freshness, consider incorporating chopped fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or mint.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1–2 days.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of vinegar, such as apple cider or balsamic, to suit your taste preferences.
Comments
No Comments