This Cucumber Tomato Salad has crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes and red onion, all tossed in a tangy dressing. It’s the ultimate refreshing summer salad recipe!
Looking to liven up your salad routine? This refreshing cucumber tomato salad is sure to become a fast favorite! This is the salad that I’ve been making all summer long. I serve it every chance I get, and it’s become my go-to side salad to serve when we’re having dinner guests over for a summer BBQ.
It’s often the simplest combinations of fresh ingredients that turn out to be the best, and that is definitely the case with this cucumber tomato salad. Juicy, sweet tomatoes and crisp cucumber are a delightful pair. Add in sweet-spicy red onions and a tangy vinegar-based dressing and you have a swoon-worthy salad. A sprinkle of fresh herbs is the perfect finishing touch!
CUCUMBER TOMATO SALAD RECIPE INGREDIENTS
This fresh cucumber tomato salad is a variation on this classic Cucumber Salad, taken up a few notches! Beyond the cucumber and tomatoes, you’ll need just a few ingredients for this scrumptious salad. The vinegar-based dressing is light and tangy and the perfect complement to the crisp, fresh flavors in the salad. I always finish this salad with some fresh herbs to bring another dimension of flavor. It’s what keeps everyone going back for more!
- English Cucumber: Sweeter and less bitter than regular cucumbers, English cucumbers are the type typically sold wrapped in plastic wrap at the grocery store.
- Grape or Cherry Tomatoes: Cut them in half before adding them to the salad. You can also use whole ripe tomatoes (such as Roma tomatoes) and coarsely chop them.
- Red Onion: Slice it thinly so that its flavor doesn’t overpower the other ingredients.
- Salad Dressing: The salad dressing is a variation on my Greek Salad Dressing, and it’s a simple mixture of olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, salt and pepper.
- Fresh Herbs: Finally, a sprinkle of chopped fresh dill, parsley, and/or basil elevates the flavors in the salad and adds a pretty pop of color.
ENGLISH CUCUMBER VS. REGULAR CUCUMBERS
While you can use a regular cucumber in this recipe, I much prefer the flavor and texture of English cucumbers in this salad. Here’s a look at how they differ:
- English Cucumber: Longer and thinner than regular cucumbers, English cucumbers come wrapped in plastic wrap at the grocery store. Their thin skin does not require peeling. English cucumbers also have smaller seeds than regular cucumbers and a sweeter, less bitter flavor.
- Regular Cucumber: This is the type of cucumber that we always added to our Green Salads growing up. The skin is thicker, the seeds are larger, and regular slicing cucumbers are generally more watery in the center. Their flavor is less sweet and more bitter. If using this type of cucumber, I recommend peeling off the skin before slicing.
HOW TO MAKE CUCUMBER TOMATO SALAD
This zippy salad couldn’t be easier to make! Here’s an overview of the recipe steps.
- Chop the cucumber by first trimming off the ends and slicing it in half lengthwise. Then, cut it into 1/4-inch thick half rounds.
- Combine the cucumber, tomatoes and onion in a medium salad bowl.
- Whisk together the dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to mix.
- Gently stir in the fresh herbs. You can either serve the salad right away, or let it marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour to let the flavors meld together.
RECIPE VARIATIONS
Honestly, I think this salad is pretty perfect as is. If you want to doctor it up, though, try one of these simple recipe variations: