Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad

Tomato Cucumber Salad – Light and super refreshing, this tomato cucumber salad is perfect for a casual dinner or for feeding a crowd at a potluck party. Quartered tomatoes, cucumber, and sliced red onion are marinated in a simple vinaigrette consisting of olive oil, red vinegar, fresh garlic, and spices.  This simple combination makes wonders when pairing with your favorite grilled meat or  fish. This tomato cucumber salad is so simple to make and packs a punch of fresh flavor. Enjoy!

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Ingredients list for the tomato-cucumber salad

For the salad:

• 5 large tomatoes (tomatoes on the vine are best), quartered
• 1 English cucumber, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 large red onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 pinch kosher salt + 1 pinch black pepper

For the vinaigrette  dressing:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt + 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
• 1 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon honey or brown sugar (optional for low-carb, Keto, or sugar-free diets)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

How to make the tomato cucumber salad

You’ll find all the ingredients at your favorite grocery store, or, better yet, in season at your local farmer’s market.

This salad recipe is super easy:

• Combine all the vegetables, herbs, salt, and pepper in a salad bowl.
• Combine all the dressing ingredients.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
• Refrigerate and serve.

We like to use dried oregano in the vinaigrette dressing, but feel free to add your own twist: dried dill, basil, or tarragon.

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Tomato cucumber salad dressing

The salad dressing is a classic vinaigrette with olive oil and red vinegar. We add fresh minced garlic for its urgent flavor, which cuts through the sweetness of tomato. Oregano brings Mediterranean flavor to the combo, and honey helps round up the flavor profile with a touch of sweetness. Keep an eye on honey because it can easily overpower the rest of the ingredients in the vinaigrette.

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Directions

How to make the tomato-cucumber salad:

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients for the salad: tomato, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and cilantro. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to combine.

2. To prepare the dressing, throw all of the dressing ingredients (olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, honey) into a small bowl or a mason jar and whisk together vigorously until well blended.

3. Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss gently. Cover the bowl with plastic and let sit at room temperature until ready to serve, for 1 to 3 hours. This will allow the flavors to meld together. Serve the tomato-cucumber salad when you’re ready, enjoy! 

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Tips for the tomato cucumber salad recipe

This tomato cucumber salad is a refreshing dish that packs a punch of fresh flavor. 

• Use lime juice or apple cider vinegar instead of red for a milder vinaigrette.
• Use shallot or white onion instead if you don’t have red onion.
• We add a pinch of salt and pepper to the veggies at step 1 to get some of their juice out. The juice will combine with the vinaigrette dressing for maximum flavor!

Add-in ideas for the tomato cucumber salad

You can add anything you like to make this cucumber-tomato salad your own! For example, sprinkle feta cheese crumbles or fresh mozzarella cubes, avocado, almonds, dried cranberries, olives, etc.

How to make this tomato cucumber salad ahead?

This tomato cucumber salad is freshest when made a couple of hours before serving, but you can prep it ahead of time if necessary. Cut the vegetables and store them separately in the refrigerator. Toss with the dressing 30 minutes before ready to serve, so the flavor have time to combine.

How long to keep the tomato-cucumber salad leftovers?

You can keep the leftover tomato cucumber salad in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

More salad recipes you might like

• Chickpea Quinoa Salad Meal Prep
• Cilantro Lime Watermelon Feta Salad
• Spicy Feta Cucumber Salad
• Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado, Tomato, and Basil

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com