Refreshing Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe for Summer Bliss

Cool summer days call for a refreshing cucumber tomato salad that brings crisp textures and vibrant colors to your plate.

Mediterranean kitchens have long celebrated this simple combination of fresh ingredients.

Juicy ripe tomatoes dance alongside crisp cucumber slices, creating a delightful contrast in every bite.

Herbs like parsley and dill add an aromatic touch that lifts the entire dish.

Light and zesty dressing ties everything together with a tangy punch.

Colorful and nutritious, this salad works perfectly as a side or standalone light meal.

Dive into this easy recipe and let your taste buds celebrate the season’s best produce.

Cucumber Tomato Salad Overview

• Quickly Craft a Fresh Delight: This cucumber tomato salad requires minimal cooking skills, making it perfect for beginners or busy home cooks who want a nutritious meal without complex techniques.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: The recipe offers incredible flexibility, allowing you to swap ingredients, adjust seasoning, or add personal touches that match your taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Nutritious Summer Companion: Packed with crisp vegetables and light dressing, this salad provides a refreshing, healthy option for picnics, potlucks, or as a quick side dish that keeps you feeling light and energized.
• No-Fuss Meal Prep Champion: With straightforward ingredients and simple assembly steps, this salad can be prepared in minutes, making it an ideal solution for last-minute meal planning or unexpected guests.

Ingredients for Cucumber Tomato Salad

• Cucumber: A crisp and cool vegetable that adds refreshing texture to the salad.
• Tomatoes: Juicy and vibrant red fruits that provide a sweet and tangy flavor.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the salad.
• Fresh Dill or Parsley: Aromatic herbs that bring a bright and fresh note to the dish.

• Olive Oil, Vinegar or Lemon Juice: A classic combination that creates a light and zesty dressing base to complement the fresh vegetables.

How to Prepare Cucumber Tomato Salad

Step 1: Chop Fresh Vegetables

Wash the cucumber and tomatoes thoroughly. Slice the cucumber into thin, half-moon shapes.

Dice the tomatoes into bite-sized chunks. Finely mince the red onion to add a sharp, zesty kick to the salad.

Step 2: Mix Vegetables in Bowl

Toss the chopped cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion together in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle fresh parsley or basil leaves over the vegetables for an extra burst of herbal freshness.

Step 3: Whip Up Tangy Dressing

In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the dressing becomes smooth and well-blended, creating a light and zesty coating for the vegetables.

Step 4: Dress and Toss Salad

Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetable mixture. Gently fold the ingredients together, ensuring every piece gets coated with the flavorful dressing.

Use a soft spatula or salad servers to mix without crushing the delicate vegetables.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.

This resting time helps the vegetables absorb the dressing’s tangy notes. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light lunch option.

Tips for Cucumber Tomato Salad

• Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even distribution and consistent texture throughout the salad.
• Let salad rest for 10-15 minutes after mixing to allow flavors to meld and enhance overall taste experience.
• For a lighter version, replace olive oil with Greek yogurt or reduce dressing quantity to cut calories.
• Add fresh herbs like dill or parsley to boost nutritional value and introduce vibrant, fresh flavor notes.
• Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum two days to maintain crisp vegetable quality.

Variations of Cucumber Tomato Salad

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace cucumber with chopped zucchini and add fresh oregano, crumbled feta cheese, and kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Swap tomatoes with roasted corn, add diced jalapeños, black beans, and cilantro for a zesty Tex-Mex style salad.
• Low-Carb Keto Version: Use radishes instead of cucumber, increase olive oil, add avocado chunks, and eliminate tomatoes to create a low-carbohydrate friendly option.
• Protein Power Boost: Incorporate grilled chicken strips or canned tuna to transform the salad into a more substantial meal with added protein content.

Pairings to Enjoy with Cucumber Tomato Salad

• Light, zesty white wine complements the fresh cucumber and tomato flavors, cutting through the tangy dressing with bright citrus notes.
• Serve alongside herb-marinated chicken or grilled fish to create a balanced meal that enhances the salad's vibrant, refreshing character.
• Rustic sourdough or ciabatta provides a perfect textural contrast, helping to soak up the delicious dressing and add a satisfying crunch.
• Salty, creamy feta adds depth and richness, transforming the simple salad into a more substantial and flavorful dish.

Storage Instructions for Cucumber Tomato Salad

• Refrigerate: Store cucumber tomato salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep crisp by placing a paper towel inside to absorb excess moisture and prevent soggy vegetables.
• Drain Liquid: Before storing, drain any accumulated liquid to maintain salad's fresh texture and prevent ingredients from becoming watery and mushy.
• Separate Dressing: Recommend keeping dressing separate from salad components until ready to serve. Pour dressing just before eating to preserve vegetables' crunchiness and prevent premature wilting.
• Quick Refresh: When ready to eat leftovers, gently stir salad and add a splash of fresh dressing to revive flavors and restore original taste and texture.

FAQs

• What are the key health benefits of this cucumber tomato salad?

This salad is packed with nutrients like vitamins A and C from fresh vegetables, low in calories, high in hydration, and supports weight management with its light, fresh ingredients.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

While best served fresh, you can prepare the components separately and combine just before serving to maintain crisp texture and prevent vegetables from becoming soggy.

• Is this salad suitable for different dietary needs?

Yes, this salad is naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and can be easily modified to be vegan by adjusting the dressing ingredients.

• How can I enhance the protein content of this salad?

Consider adding chickpeas, grilled chicken, feta cheese, or hard-boiled eggs to increase protein and make the salad more filling.

Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

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• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad celebrates fresh ingredients with crisp vegetables and zesty herbs. Mediterranean flavors blend seamlessly, offering you a refreshing and light summer side dish perfect for gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (226 g) feta cheese (cubed)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 English cucumber (quartered lengthwise and sliced)
• 1 red onion (halved and thinly sliced)
• 2 tbsps freshly chopped cilantro
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Slice cucumbers and tomatoes into uniform, thin pieces to ensure balanced flavor and texture in every bite.
2. Finely chop fresh herbs like dill or parsley to enhance the salad’s aromatic profile and add a vibrant green color.
3. Create the dressing by whisking olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings until they form a smooth, emulsified mixture at room temperature.
4. Gently combine the sliced vegetables in a large mixing bowl, taking care not to crush the delicate ingredients.
5. Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetables, using a light folding motion to coat each piece evenly without breaking the components.
6. Allow the salad to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify.
7. Optionally, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese or sliced red onions on top for additional depth and complexity of flavor.
8. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish, ideally within 2 hours of preparation to maintain optimal texture and taste.

Notes

• Slice cucumbers and tomatoes uniformly for consistent texture and even dressing absorption.
• Use fresh, ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers to enhance the salad’s natural flavors and crunchiness.
• Skip salt if using feta cheese, as it already provides a salty element to the dish.
• Transform this recipe into a low-carb option by replacing sugar with stevia or omitting sweetener entirely.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 191 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 510 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg