Fresh & Flavorful: Your Guide to the Best Cucumber Tomato Salad

Experience the vibrant taste of summer with this incredibly easy Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe! Featuring crisp sliced cucumbers, juicy ripe tomatoes, fragrant fresh dill, thinly sliced red onions, and crumbled feta cheese, all beautifully tossed in a homemade tangy dressing, this salad is the quintessential way to savor the bounty of fresh, in-season produce. Whether you’re seeking a quick and effortless side dish for your next meal or a light, refreshing lunch, this delightful salad promises a burst of flavor and a truly invigorating experience.

A Celebration of Garden Freshness: The Perfect Summer Salad

Just a few weekends ago, during our cherished weekly family dinner, conversations naturally drifted to our gardens and the delightful vegetables they yield. When the question of my favorite vegetable arose, my answer was instant and unwavering: the humble cucumber! There’s something undeniably refreshing about its cool, crisp bite. My second favorite, of course, is the luscious tomato – though technically a fruit, it holds a special place in my heart and my culinary creations.

Even if green thumbs aren’t your forte, you don’t have to miss out on the incredible freshness this salad offers. You can effortlessly prepare this simple yet elegant dish using the finest, freshest vegetables and aromatic herbs sourced from your local grocery store or a bustling farmer’s market. Not only is this recipe incredibly straightforward to assemble, but its presentation is also absolutely stunning, making it a feast for both the eyes and the palate. It’s a testament to how simple, high-quality ingredients can create something truly spectacular.

The Ultimate Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad

There is truly nothing quite like the taste of seasonal fresh produce, and this recipe for a vibrant tomato and cucumber salad is the perfect way to highlight these garden gems. Each spoonful offers slices of wonderfully crispy cucumbers alongside succulent, juicy tomatoes, generously mingled with sharp red onions, aromatic fresh dill, and salty feta cheese. A simple, zesty dressing is drizzled over the top, bringing all these incredible flavors together for the ultimate summer salad experience. This dish is not just a side; it’s a refreshing statement, ideal for any gathering or a quiet meal at home.

Cucumber Tomato Salad with Feta: A Mediterranean Twist

You’ll be truly amazed at how easily a few simple ingredients can combine to create such a profoundly flavorful and refreshing salad. It’s the kind of dish you’ll crave and want to enjoy throughout the entire summer season. There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from a salad featuring the cool crunch of fresh cucumbers paired with the sweet burst of juicy tomatoes. This combination delivers a sensory delight that is crispy, crunchy, juicy, and utterly delicious – a perfect harmony of textures and tastes.

If you find yourself enchanted by this cucumber tomato salad with feta, we’re confident you’ll also adore these other refreshing variations:

Cucumber Ranch Salad
Caprese Salad
Greek-style Cucumber Salad

Effortless Elegance: Preparing Your Cucumber and Onion Salad

I often prefer to begin our meals with a light and refreshing salad, and this cucumber tomato salad recipe is an exceptionally easy choice, especially when you have a multitude of other dishes to prepare. It comes together in just a matter of minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings. Both the salad components and the dressing can be prepared in advance, offering a wonderful advantage for those looking to streamline their kitchen tasks and tick a few items off their culinary to-do list. When it’s time to serve, all that’s required is to simply dress the salad, give it a gentle toss, and present it to your eager guests.

Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Cucumber Tomato Salad

Crafting this vibrant salad requires just a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients. For the precise measurements and step-by-step instructions, please scroll to the bottom of this post for the comprehensive printable recipe card. Here’s what you’ll need to create this refreshing dish:

For the Salad:

Tomatoes: Select ripe, firm tomatoes that burst with natural sweetness and vibrant color. Slicing them allows their juicy flesh to be fully appreciated. You can use any variety of ripe tomatoes you prefer, from robust Roma tomatoes to classic field tomatoes. For a different aesthetic and texture, sweet cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes can also be halved or quartered.
Cucumber: The star of the show, delivering a cool, crisp crunch. Any type of cucumber works beautifully; simply slice them to your desired thickness. English cucumbers are known for their thin skin and minimal seeds, often requiring no peeling. Regular garden cucumbers might benefit from peeling if their skin is thick, and Persian cucumbers offer a delicate flavor and tender texture.
Red Onions: Thin slivers of red onion introduce a delicate bite and a beautiful pop of color, adding depth and a subtle sharpness that complements the other ingredients. Soaking them briefly in cold water can mellow their intensity if you prefer.
Dill: Freshly chopped dill is indispensable for its bright, anisy, and garden-fresh flavor that truly elevates this salad. Its herbaceous notes are key to the salad’s signature taste.
Feta Cheese: Cubed feta cheese brings a wonderful creamy texture and a natural, tangy saltiness that perfectly balances the sweetness of the tomatoes and the freshness of the cucumbers.

To Make the Tangy Cucumber Tomato Salad Dressing:

A simple, yet flavorful dressing ties all these incredible ingredients together. This homemade dressing is quick to whisk up and makes all the difference:

Red Wine Vinegar: Provides a delightful sweet acidity that brightens the entire salad, cutting through the richness of the feta and the olive oil.
Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is highly recommended for its robust flavor and health benefits, but any good quality olive oil will work to create a smooth, emulsified dressing.
Dijon Mustard: More than just a flavor enhancer, Dijon mustard acts as a natural emulsifier, helping the oil and vinegar combine beautifully into a cohesive dressing rather than separating.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to heighten and balance all the flavors in the dressing and the salad. Add them to taste, adjusting until perfectly seasoned.

Be sure to keep reading to discover invaluable tips and tricks, creative substitutions, and answers to common questions you might have about preparing and enjoying this exquisite cucumber tomato salad.

How to Easily Make This Refreshing Cucumber Tomato Salad

Preparing this vibrant tomato-cucumber salad is wonderfully straightforward, involving just a few quick and simple steps. You’ll be enjoying this delightful dish in no time!

Step 1: Prepare the Dressing. Begin by combining all the dressing ingredients – red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper – in a small jar with a lid or a mixing bowl. If using a jar, simply shake vigorously until well combined. If using a bowl, whisk thoroughly until the ingredients are fully emulsified and smooth. Set aside.

Step 2: Combine the Main Vegetables. In a large mixing bowl, gently add your sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and thinly sliced red onions. Toss these ingredients together carefully to ensure an even distribution without bruising the delicate vegetables.

Step 3: Add Herbs and Feta, Then Dress. Sprinkle the fresh dill and cubed feta cheese over the vegetables in the bowl. Give it a light, gentle toss to incorporate. Finally, drizzle the homemade dressing generously over the salad. You can either mix everything thoroughly to coat every piece or serve it lightly dressed, allowing guests to mix more at the table if they prefer.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy. Serve your fresh cucumber tomato salad immediately, optionally garnishing with a little extra fresh dill for an added touch of freshness and visual appeal.

Any leftover tomato and cucumber salad will maintain its deliciousness and freshness when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for approximately 2-3 days. To prevent sogginess, it’s best to store the dressing separately and combine just before serving. Freezing this salad is not recommended, as the fresh vegetables will lose their crisp texture upon thawing.

Love It? Pin It!

If you’re absolutely loving this delightful cucumber and tomato salad recipe, make sure you keep it handy for future culinary adventures! Don’t forget to pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you navigate away. It’s the perfect way to save this fresh, vibrant dish for later!

Creative Substitutions for Your Cucumber Tomato Salad

Remember, cooking is all about creativity and personal taste! When it comes to making substitutions in recipes, never be afraid to experiment and use ingredients that perfectly align with your dietary preferences and what you have on hand. Make this salad truly your own!

For the dressing, if red wine vinegar isn’t available or preferred, consider using apple cider vinegar for a slightly sweeter tang, balsamic vinegar for a richer, deeper flavor, or white wine vinegar for a milder acidity. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is also an excellent substitute, offering a bright, citrusy zing.
If fresh dill is hard to come by, you can use dried dill, though you’ll need less (about 1/3 the amount of fresh). Alternatively, explore other fresh herbs like fresh parsley for a clean, peppery note, aromatic fresh basil leaves for a touch of sweetness, or any other fresh herbs you might have in your garden or fridge to customize this tomato cucumber salad recipe.
Feel free to use a combination of different tomato varieties. Mixing large sliced tomatoes with smaller cherry or grape tomatoes adds visual interest and varying textures. Whatever you have on hand will work beautifully!
To transform this healthy side dish into a more substantial, protein-enriched meal, consider adding some perfectly grilled steak strips, succulent grilled chicken breast, or even some canned chickpeas for a vegetarian protein boost.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad

Should you eat cucumbers and tomatoes in a salad together? Absolutely! Cucumbers and tomatoes are a match made in culinary heaven. Their complementary flavors and textures create a perfectly balanced and incredibly refreshing combination that is enjoyed in countless cuisines worldwide.
How do you keep cucumber salad from getting soggy? To prevent your cucumber salad from becoming overly soggy, the best practice is to store the dressing separately and only toss the salad with the dressing just before serving. An excellent tip to keep cucumbers extra crisp is to soak their slices in generously salted cold water in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours prior to assembling your salad. This draws out excess moisture, leaving them firmer.
What will tomato and cucumber protect me from? Both tomatoes and cucumbers are powerhouses of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients are vital in supporting a healthy immune system, which in turn can help your body protect itself against various diseases and maintain overall well-being. They contribute to hydration, skin health, and provide essential dietary fiber.
How to cut a tomato for cucumber salad? The way you cut your tomatoes is entirely up to your personal preference and the aesthetic you desire. Diced for smaller, bite-sized pieces, cubed for more substantial chunks, or classic slices – any method is perfectly fine and will contribute to the salad’s deliciousness.

Expert Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Cucumber Tomato Salad

Elevate your cucumber tomato salad from great to absolutely extraordinary with these simple yet effective tips:

Crispier Cucumbers: For cucumbers that truly pop with crunch, immerse your sliced cucumbers in cold, generously salted water and refrigerate them for at least a couple of hours. This process helps draw out excess moisture from the cucumbers, resulting in a much crisper, crunchier texture in your final salad. Remember to drain and pat them dry thoroughly before adding to the salad.
Less Watery Salad: If you’re using larger varieties of tomatoes, such as beefsteak tomatoes, consider removing their seeds before slicing or dicing. The watery seed cavities contribute a significant amount of moisture, and removing them will help keep your salad from becoming too watery.
Milder Red Onions: Red onions can sometimes have a pungent, strong flavor. To mellow their intensity and make them more palatable, thinly slice them and then soak them in a bowl of cold water for about 10-15 minutes. Drain them well before adding them to your salad.
Peel Thicker Skins: For cucumbers with thicker, tougher skins (like some varieties of field cucumbers), it’s often best to peel them. This ensures a more pleasant eating experience and prevents any bitterness from the skin. English and Persian cucumbers typically have thinner skins that can be left on.
Seed Removal for Large Cucumbers: Similar to tomatoes, larger cucumbers can contain a lot of seeds and watery pulp. For a firmer salad, you might want to scoop out the seeds from these larger varieties before slicing.

More Recipes to Love from Our Kitchen

If you have a penchant for unique and non-traditional salads, you might absolutely delight in exploring Aunt Sue’s Dorito Taco Salad, a fun and flavorful twist on a classic, or this incredibly fresh and vibrant Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad (pictured above), perfect for summer BBQs. For those who prefer the classic crispness of lettuce-based salads, this trendy TikTok Sauerkraut Arugula Salad might pique your interest, as would this refreshing and distinct Mediterranean Celery Salad With Olives. And if a satisfying pasta salad is what you crave, then this bright and herbaceous Lemon Basil Pasta Salad is an absolute must-try.

Despite its simple preparation, this cucumber tomato salad tastes anything but basic. It’s a symphony of fresh, juicy, and crunchy textures, loaded with incredible flavors that make it a perfect addition to any meal, no matter the time of year. Enjoy the simplicity and the deliciousness!

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Cucumber Tomato Salad in a large serving bowl

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Print Recipe

Cucumber Tomato Salad

This easy Cucumber Tomato Salad features sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, dill, red onions, and feta and is the perfect way to take advantage of fresh, in-season produce. Perfect for a quick and easy side dish or light lunch, this salad is super refreshing.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Course: Salads |
Cuisine: American |
Keyword: cucumber salad, cucumber tomato salad, Fresh tomato, salad dressing, tomatoes, ways to use cucumbers

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 117 kcal

Equipment

3 Piece Wooden Salad Set
Salad Spinner – Green Salad Spinner Large
12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener

Ingredients

For the Salad:

1 pound tomatoes, sliced
1/2 large English cucumber, sliced
2 small red onions, thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons fresh dill
2 rounds feta cheese, cubed

For the dressing:

2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
4 Tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Add all the ingredients for the dressing to a jar or small bowl. Whisk to combine.
Add the tomatoes, cucumber, and red onions to a large bowl and toss.
Add the dill and feta and lightly toss before drizzling the dressing on top. Mix to combine.
Serve with extra dill.

Notes

To keep cucumbers crisp in the salad, soak them in salted water in the fridge for at least 2 hours before preparing the salad.

Nutrition