If you’re craving a fresh, vibrant, and incredibly easy dish to whip up in minutes, this Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe is exactly what you need. Crisp cucumber slices paired with juicy, sweet tomatoes and a tangy, slightly sweet dressing come together to create a salad that sings with simple, fresh flavors. It’s light, refreshing, perfect for any season, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brightens up any meal or gathering with its beautiful colors and crisp texture.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this salad lies in its simplicity—the ingredients are easy to find but each one plays a crucial role in delivering that perfect balance of crunch, juiciness, tang, and a touch of sweetness. Every bite bursts with fresh flavor and a satisfying contrast of textures that keeps you coming back for more.
- English cucumber: Unpeeled for extra crunch and vibrant green color, sliced into half rounds to soak up the dressing beautifully.
- Grape or cherry tomatoes: Halved to release their juicy sweetness, they add a pop of red and freshness that makes the salad irresistible.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced to bring a mild, zesty bite without overpowering the other flavors.
- Olive oil: A fruity, smooth base for the dressing that helps everything meld together.
- Red wine vinegar: Gives the salad its bright acidity, balancing the sweetness of the tomatoes and honey.
- Honey: Just a teaspoon to add a subtle touch of natural sweetness and round out the tartness.
- Kosher salt or fine sea salt: Essential for amplifying the natural flavors of the vegetables and dressing.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground for a gentle kick and extra depth.
- Fresh parsley, dill, and/or basil (optional): Chopped herbs add aromatic notes and a lovely green contrast, elevating the salad’s freshness.
How to Make Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Vegetables
Start by trimming the ends off your English cucumber. Cut it lengthwise, then slice into roughly ¼-inch thick half-moons. This thickness lets the cucumber hold a satisfying crunch while being tender enough to absorb the flavors to come. Next, halve your tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion. Preparing your veggies this way ensures every bite is evenly flavored and visually appealing.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, gently combine the cucumber slices, halved tomatoes, and red onion. Mixing them while they’re fresh keeps the ingredients bright and prevents any one flavor from dominating.
Step 3: Make Dressing
Whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. This simple but perfectly balanced dressing is the star of the salad, adding a subtle richness with a zesty, slightly sweet tang that pulls all the fresh elements together in harmony.
Step 4: Toss Salad
Pour your dressing over the veggie mixture and gently toss until every slice is lightly coated. The goal is a delicate embrace, not a drowning—this way the salad stays crisp and fresh, with every component shining through.
Step 5: Add Herbs
This step is where you can get creative! Stir in your choice of fresh chopped parsley, dill, or basil if you have them on hand. These herbs add an extra layer of flavor complexity and fragrance, making your Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe wonderfully herbaceous and garden-fresh.
Step 6: Serve
Enjoy your salad right away for the crispiest texture, or cover and chill in the refrigerator for about an hour to let the flavors meld beautifully. This salad is equally delightful fresh or slightly chilled, perfect anytime you want a light and refreshing bite.
How to Serve Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese or a handful of toasted pine nuts can take this salad to the next level with creamy or nutty accents that complement the fresh veggies beautifully. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over the top just before serving also enhances that fresh, rich flavor profile effortlessly.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs amazingly well with grilled meats like chicken, lamb, or fish, but it’s also perfect alongside a hearty grain bowl or a creamy pasta dish. The bright acidity helps cut through richer sides providing a refreshing counterbalance that lifts the whole meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, hollow out a cucumber and serve the salad nestled inside for a stunning presentation at parties. You can also layer this salad in clear glass jars to showcase the vibrant colors when packing lunches or taking it along for a picnic. Either way, it’s a guaranteed showstopper.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind, the cucumbers will release some liquid over time, so give the salad a gentle toss before serving again to redistribute the dressing evenly.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh or chilled and is not well-suited for freezing. Both cucumbers and tomatoes become mushy when frozen and thawed, so freezing will alter the texture and taste significantly.
Reheating
Since this is a fresh salad, reheating isn’t necessary or recommended. The crisp texture and bright flavors are what make this Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe so delightful, and warming it up would diminish those qualities.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cucumbers?
Absolutely! English cucumbers are ideal because they have fewer seeds and thinner skin, but you can use regular cucumbers if that’s what you have. Just peel them if desired and remove large seeds for the best texture.
How long does this salad stay fresh?
It’s best eaten within 1-2 days. The fresh veggies hold up well in the fridge but will gradually lose their crunch and release water after that.
Can I make this salad vegan?
Yes! This salad is naturally vegan and gluten-free, especially if you skip any optional toppings like cheese or choose plant-based alternatives.
What herbs work best in this salad?
Parsley, dill, and basil are fantastic choices that complement the fresh vegetables perfectly. Feel free to mix and match based on your preference or what you have available.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
It is, keeping in mind the cucumbers and tomatoes release moisture over time. If you want to make it ahead, prepare the dressing separately and toss just before serving for the freshest texture.
Final Thoughts
This Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe is a true celebration of simplicity done right. With minimal ingredients and maximum flavor, it’s a refreshing side that brings joy to any table. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or sharing with friends, I highly encourage you to make this salad and savor the bright, crisp freshness that only a dish like this can deliver.
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Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and simple Cucumber Tomato Salad featuring crisp cucumbers, juicy grape tomatoes, and a tangy homemade dressing with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and a hint of honey. Perfect for a quick side dish or a light, healthy snack.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 English cucumber, unpeeled
- 10 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt or fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, dill, and/or basil
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Trim the ends of the cucumber, halve it lengthwise, then slice into ¼-inch thick half rounds to create bite-sized pieces. Halve the grape or cherry tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, gently mix together the cucumber slices, halved tomatoes, and sliced red onion, ensuring even distribution.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the dressing is smooth.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and gently toss to coat all the ingredients evenly without bruising them.
- Add Herbs: If desired, gently stir in the chopped fresh parsley, dill, and/or basil to add a fresh herbal flavor to the salad.
- Serve: Enjoy the salad immediately for the freshest taste or chill it in the refrigerator for about an hour to let the flavors meld before serving.
Notes
- Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or basil enhance the flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Chilling the salad for an hour improves the flavor as the dressing permeates the vegetables.
- This salad is best served fresh and does not keep well for long periods due to the high water content in cucumbers.
- For a sweeter dressing, adjust the honey based on preference.
- Use Kosher or fine sea salt for best seasoning results.
