Let me tell you about the first time I had cucumber tomato salad.
I was at a family picnic, and someone brought a bowl of fresh, colorful salad. It looked simple. It looked refreshing. I took a bite, and I was hooked. The cucumbers were crisp, the tomatoes were juicy, and the dressing was light and tangy.
I asked for the recipe, and I’ve been making it ever since.
Why This Cucumber Tomato Salad Is So Good
Fresh ingredients. The vegetables are crisp and fresh.
Simple dressing. The dressing is light and tangy.
Quick to make. Ready in under 10 minutes.
Versatile. It can be served as a side or a main.
Refreshing. It’s perfect for a hot summer day.
A crowd-pleaser. Everyone loves it.
Ingredients
For the salad:
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2 medium cucumbers, sliced
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3 medium tomatoes, sliced
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½ red onion, thinly sliced
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¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the dressing:
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¼ cup olive oil
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2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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Salt and pepper to taste
Substitution notes:
No red wine vinegar? Use white wine vinegar. No fresh parsley? Use fresh basil.
Let’s Make Cucumber Tomato Salad (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Slice the cucumbers, slice the tomatoes, and thinly slice the red onion.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Combine
In a large bowl, combine the cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and parsley.
Step 4: Dress the Salad
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
Step 5: Serve
Serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Cucumber Tomato Salad
Use fresh ingredients. The fresher the vegetables, the better the salad.
Don’t overdress. Add just enough dressing to coat the vegetables.
Let it sit for a few minutes. The flavors will meld together.
Customize it. Add your favorite herbs.
Make it a meal. Add grilled chicken or chickpeas.
Experiment with dressings. Try a lemon vinaigrette.
Variations to Make It Your Own
With Feta: Add crumbled feta cheese.
With Olives: Add Kalamata olives.
With Chickpeas: Add chickpeas.
With Avocado: Add avocado.
With Bell Peppers: Add bell peppers.
With Fresh Herbs: Use fresh basil or dill.
With Different Dressing: Try a balsamic vinaigrette.
What to Serve With Cucumber Tomato Salad
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Grilled chicken
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Fish
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Steak
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Pasta
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A bowl of soup
How to Store and Reheat
Storage: Store in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Not recommended.