This Cucumber Tomato Salad is the perfect easy summer side dish. It comes together with simple ingredients and a light dressing. This is delicious enough for entertaining but easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
One of my major wins as a mom is my kids’ love of fresh fruits and vegetables. We actually can’t keep up with them. Most meals have sliced peppers, cucumbers, or carrots on the side. And snack time is usually grapes and strawberries. I feel great about it.
But sliced raw veggies aren’t the most exciting for me. I’m always looking for ways to incorporate that freshness into a side dish that I want to eat with my meal too. This cucumber and tomato salad recipe is the perfect answer, and it turns out that my kids love it too!
Your a life saver. I woke up thinking about making a cucumber/tomato salad and here one is. I made it for lunch and it’s Great. Thanks.
Tomato Cucumber Salad Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients that make this refreshing salad. For the full recipe including all measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Cucumbers: I love the texture that the peel adds, but if you prefer a smoother texture, you can peel the cucumbers. See more on what kind of cucumbers to use below.
- Tomato: Choose ripe, firm tomatoes to ensure they hold up well when mixed with the other ingredients. Cherry or grape tomatoes can also be used for a bite-sized variation.
- Red onion: Thinly slice the onion to ensure it blends well without overpowering the salad.
- Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning is a blend of herbs such as oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. It adds a savory, aromatic flavor that enhances the freshness of the vegetables. Read more on making your own Italian seasoning below.
- Olive oil: Acts as the base for the salad dressing, providing a rich, smooth texture. It helps to coat the vegetables evenly, ensuring each bite is flavorful. Use extra virgin olive oil for the best quality and taste.
- Red wine vinegar: Adds a tangy, slightly acidic flavor that balances the sweetness of the tomatoes and the richness of the olive oil. It brightens up the salad and helps to marry the flavors of all the ingredients.
- Salt and black pepper: Enhance the other ingredients, be sure to taste the dressing and add more salt and pepper as needed.
How to Make Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Here is a brief overview of how this cucumber tomato onion salad comes together. For the full recipe, scroll to the recipe card below.
- Prepare the veggies. Combine the sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions in a large bowl.
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Taste the dressing and add more salt and pepper to taste.
- Put it all together. Toss the dressing with the vegetables and enjoy right away.
Cucumbers For Salad
I love using English cucumbers because they don’t have as many seeds and are so crisp. They also tend to add less liquid to recipes. You can make this salad with any type of cucumber and don’t need to peel them first. Just give them a good scrub to remove any dirt and slice them thinly.
Homemade Italian Seasoning
It is no secret that I love making my own seasoning blends. They are so easy to throw together, last for six months in my pantry, and I know they are fresh and have the perfect flavor. This Italian seasoning is one I always have on hand! I use it in so many recipes, including this tomato cucumber salad. If you have fresh herbs growing your garden it would be great to dry them to use in this seasoning mix.
Italian Seasoning
Making Ahead and Storing Salad
Store this tomato and cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Please know that the longer the salad sits, the more watery it will get. Since cucumbers and tomatoes are made up of so much water, it is impossible to prevent them from getting soggy and their juices making the salad watery after so much time. To best avoid this, eat the salad while it is fresh. Always use your best judgment with leftovers.
Other Summer Salads
If you try this cucumber tomato salad recipe or any of my other recipes, leave a comment and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- 3 vine ripened tomatoes cut into wedges and then thirds
- 1 English cucumber cut into 1/4 inch half moons
- 1/4 red onion sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions in a large bowl.3 vine ripened tomatoes, 1 English cucumber, 1/4 red onion
- In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Taste the dressing and add more salt and pepper to taste.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Toss the dressing with the vegetables and enjoy right away. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to four days.
KalynsKitchen says
I think fresh salads like this are one of the best things about summer, yum! And thanks for the shout-out for my asparagus salad.
Jocelyn @Inside BruCrew Life says
We make a very similar side dish to eat with all our grilled foods! I love adding a package of the small mozzarella pearls for a hit of cheesy goodness in it. Gotta love an easy and healthy recipe like this!
GrandTina says
Your a life saver. I woke up thinking about making a cucumber/tomato salad and here one is. I made it for lunch and it’s Great. Thanks.
France Lapointe says
Can you omit the wine?
Well, it doesn’t really call for wine, it calls for Red Wine Vinegar. If you leave that out, you won’t have the right balance of flavors. In this recipe, I would suggest replacing it with balsamic vinegar if you must leave it out.
Deb says
I love all the flavors! The red wine vinegar is the final touch! You can put anything with it, I actually added an avocado chopped up and made a complete meal out of it, so easy and refreshing, I can’t believe I never made it before!
I am so happy you like it Deb! It is a favorite of mine as well!
Debbie says
So good and so Easy! Love it
Thanks so much Debbie, I’m so glad you liked it and so grateful you came back to tell me.
LauraA says
I only have white wine vinegar. Will that still work?
Yes! Should be delicious!
MAGGIE says
HI LISA,
EAT THIS ALMOST DAILY DURING THE SUMMER.
WE USE BALSAMIC VINEGAR /OLIVE OIL , AND OFTEN ADD
SMALL CHUNKS OF MOZZARELLA CHEESE.
TRY SLICING A ROUND SLICE OF WATERMELON THEN CUT LIKE A PIZZA.
CUT THE SALAD INGREDIENTS SMALLER AND PUT THE SALAD DIRECTLY
ON THE WATERMELON SLICE. IT’S GOOD AND A NICE SURPRISE THAT’S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
MAGGIE
Thanks Maggie!
Kimberly Jo says
Made this today. Didn’t have red onion so I substituted yellow. Delicious. Thank you!
I’m so glad you liked it, Kimberly!
Carolyn says
Deserves a 10 star rating!
So glad to hear that you enjoyed it!