Tomato Cucumber Salad is a refreshing side dish that packs a punch of fresh flavor. Brimming with the fresh tastes of ripe tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers tossed in a zesty herb dressing, this vibrant salad tastes like summer in every bite!
5 Star Reader Comment
This is my favorite cucumber salad and I have tried plenty! I went exactly by the recipe 2 times and my husband, grandson, and I love it! Thank you!
Ruth
I’ve been making this salad for years, especially in the summertime when the tomatoes are juicy and the cucumbers are crisp and cool. It’s the kind of dish that reminds me of how my grandmother used to cook—nothing fancy, just fresh ingredients, a light touch, and a whole lot of flavor.
- It couldn’t be easier – Just slice, mix, and drizzle with a quick homemade dressing. It’s ready in no time, which makes it great for busy days or last-minute suppers.
- Fresh from the garden – When everything’s in season, you don’t need much to make it taste good. The tomatoes and cucumbers do all the work here, with a little help from herbs and a splash of vinegar.
Can This Salad Be Made Ahead Of Time?
Yes, it sure can. Chop the tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions, then pour over about ¼ to ½ of the dressing and toss everything together. Store in an airtight container. When ready to serve, toss and add more dressing as needed.
What Ingredients Are Needed For Tomato Cucumber Salad?
- Grape Tomatoes – Roma or cherry tomatoes are also great to use.
- English Cucumber – you can also use Kirby cucumbers.
- Red Onion – Vidalia onions or yellow onions can also be used.
- The Dressing – Olive Oil, balsamic vinegar (red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar can be substituted,) lemon juice (apple cider vinegar can also be used,) dried Italian seasoning, sugar, Kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper.
How To Make Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Slice the tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions and place them in a large bowl.
- Add all the salad dressing ingredients in a small bowl or mason jar. Using a whisk, blend until well mixed or shake.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss.
Delicious Additions And Variations
This tomato cucumber salad recipe lends to all kinds of yummy ingredient additions.
- Vegetables – avocado, red or green bell pepper, celery, grilled corn, or green beans.
- Cheese – Feta cheese, mozzarella balls, or shredded Parmesan cheese.
- Dried or Fresh Herbs – fresh dill, parsley, fresh basil leaves, or dried oregano and thyme are all great choices.
- Proteins – grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon are all delicious in this salad.
Donya’s Success Tips
- The key to making this salad is picking out the best tomatoes and cucumbers at the grocery store. Grape tomatoes have a sweet flavor and a meatier texture, making them excellent in salads.
- Use fresh herbs – they make all the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions With Answers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I do think the dressing makes this dish extra special, but if you are in a pinch, you can use store-bought vinaigrette dressing or my creamy vinaigrette.
What To Serve With Cucumber Tomato Salad
This versatile salad goes with so many lunch or dinner menus. I love serving it for lunch with Southern Ham Salad or classic Egg Salad.
It’s so good for dinner with Roasted Pork Tenderloin, London Broil or Sheet Pan Hamburger Steaks.
This cucumber tomato salad recipe is excellent with Roast Beef and Cheese Sandwiches or Jam Ham Sandwiches for picnics, and anytime you’re dining outdoors.
This easy-to-make perfect side dish pairs well with Crock Pot Chicken Thighs and Air Fryer Baked Potatoes for a delicious family meal.
More Salad Recipes You Don’t Want To Miss
If you tried this Tomato Cucumber Salad Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ingredients
- 1 pint grape tomatoes – sliced in half
- 1 English cucumber – sliced
- ½ medium red onion – thinly sliced
Dressing
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked pepper
Instructions
- Place tomatoes, cucumbers and onions in a large bowl, set aside.
- In a mixing cup or small bowl, add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper. Using a whisk, blend until well mixed. Pour dressing over tomatoes, cucumbers and onions. Toss salad.
Video
Notes
- Chop the tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions, then pour over about ¼ to ½ of the dressing and toss everything together. Store in an airtight container. When ready to serve, toss and add more dressing as needed.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Extra veggies: Try adding avocado, bell peppers, celery, grilled corn, or even blanched green beans.
- Cheese, please: Crumbled feta, mini mozzarella balls, or a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan are all delicious.
- Fresh herbs: Swap or add in dill, parsley, basil leaves, or a pinch of dried oregano or thyme.
- Add some protein: Top it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon to make it a little more filling.
Nutrition
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Made it exactly as written! Great recipe!
Thank you, Alexandra!
I love this recipe, especially in summer which fresh cucumbers and tomatoes from our garden.
Even in winter, I had some nice ripe Campari tomatoes, a seedless cucumber and red onion and made this super fresh delicious salad. I like a little more sweetness to the dressing, so I added about a teaspoon or so of honey.
Yummo!
My family and I LOVE this sald. I added a bit more lemon juice for my personal taste but will be making it over and over
I love the vinaigrette.
Did you really use balsamic in this recipe? The picture does not look like you used balsamic. I followed the recipe exactly, & my cukes are practically black. Did you use white balsamic, perhaps? I was hoping for something lighter & brighter in flavor,
Hey there Jan!
I am so happy to hear you’re giving this recipe another try, I think you’re really going to like it once you find the right vinegar for you. I always say, the most important part of cooking is fine-tuning recipes to fit your own tastes and needs. I like to use balsamic vinegar in my dressing, either white balsamic or regular, it doesn’t normally leave color on my cucumbers. But, if you’re not a fan of the regular balsamic, you can try substituting white balsamic or red wine vinegar. If you’re going for ‘lighter and brighter’ flavors then I would recommend giving the red wine vinegar a try next time you make this recipe. Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe and your support, I hope this is helpful!
~Donya
This recipe has all my husbands favorite vegetables! Can’t wait to hear his raves!
Hey there Suzi!
Thank you for your interest in this recipe! I completely agree with your husband, tomatoes and cucumbers make the PERFECT salad, I’m sure that he will love this salad! If you like this recipe, you should try my Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad, it’s similar to this recipe but it has a different dressing, I think y’all would really like it. Thank you for your support, if you ever have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
~Donya
This is so delicious. The dressing is the best part- I will be using it on all my salads. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Hey there Dean!
Wow, thank you so very much for you kind words and this incredible rating! I am smiling right now reading this, so glad to hear you enjoy this salad, and I agree that the dressing is definitely the best part! Thank you so much for your support, if you ever have any questions about a recipe please feel free to ask!
Best,
~Donya
Fantastic recipe! Simple recipe using always on hand ingredients made this a winner! Tasted fresh and light and the salad dressing is a keeper to use with any fresh vegetables- thanks for a great recipe I will use again and again.
Hey there Bridget!
My goodness you’re too kind! Thank you so much for your sweet words and your terrific rating! I am thrilled to hear you enjoyed this recipe, it’s one of those quick and easy recipes that are just dependable. Let me know if you ever have any questions about other recipes, thank you so much for your support! Have a great rest of your day!
~Donya
I made this today and since I don’t use oil I subbed it with veggie broth and I added some parsley. It’s wonderful ❤️.
Hey there Estee!
Thank you so much for your phenomenal rating and your sweet comment! It sounds like you made some delicious changes, it’s always best to make it exactly how’d you want to eat it. I really appreciate your support, thank you!
~Donya