Cucumber tomato salad is a refreshing classic, ideal for BBQs, potlucks or picnics. Made with crisp cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and onions in a sweet and sour vinegar dressing. This flavorful textured salad goes perfect well alongside any fish or meat dish.
If you’re looking for a delicious side salad recipe, check out my Creamy Cucumber Salad, Roasted Zucchini and Avocado Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing or Roasted Carrots with Mustard Miso Dressing.
Why you’ll love this cucumber tomato salad recipe
- It’s affordable and made with simple ingredients you probably already have.
- This salad is really refreshing and pairs well with any meal.
- You can prepare it in advance, making it super convenient.
- It’s so tasty and versatile, you could even have it as a light lunch with some crusty bread and butter.
Helpful tips
I’ve loved this salad since I was a kid, especially when my mom made it. She’d often tweak the recipe, and I have fond memories of enjoying it in different ways. One thing I always loved was sipping the leftover juice—it’s delicious!
You can customize this salad to your liking. Try using just cucumber and onions for a different version, or add some fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or mint to change it up and add extra flavor.
How to make cucumber tomato salad
Preparing this salad is quick and easy. Here’s how:
- First, mix together the ingredients for the vinegar dressing.
- Then, slice the cucumbers and the onion. Put everything in the bowl with the vinegar dressing and let it sit for about 10 minutes to soak up the flavors.
- While waiting, halve the tomatoes.
- After 10 minutes, combine the marinated cucumbers with the tomatoes, and you’re ready to enjoy your salad!
Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO.
Ingredients for cucumber tomato salad
- Cucumbers: Look for firm ones with smooth, unblemished skins. English or Persian cucumbers work well.
- Cherry tomatoes: Heirloom or Roma tomatoes also work.
- Onion: Choose your favorite type, whether it’s yellow, white, red, or shallots, to add different flavors.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This adds tanginess, however, you can swap for other vinegars like white wine vinegar, distilled white vinegar or rice vinegar.
- Vegetable Oil: Use neutral-flavored oils like sunflower, avocado, canola, or grapeseed oil.
- Flavorings: Salt, black pepper, and sugar to balance the flavors.
What to serve with cucumber tomato salad
This crisp-juicy salad is a perfect side dish for everything from meat, chicken, fish to fried foods, any BBQ dishes and picnic sandwiches. It provides a nice contrast to potatoes or creamy dishes, and will be a big hit on any potluck.
Make ahead
This salad is the perfect make-ahead side dish. You can prepare it for up to 4 hours beforehand. Combine everything together, cover and place in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
How to store cucumber tomato salad
Place the salad in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The cucumbers might lose a little crispness depending on how thick you’ve sliced them.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers - medium sized, peeled and thinly sliced
- 12 ounces cherry tomatoes - halved
- 1 yellow onion - thinly sliced
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt - more to taste
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine oil with apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar. Stir well and set aside.
- Peel and thinly slice the cucumbers. Cut the onions in thin slices.
- Add cucumbers and onions to the vinegar dressing, toss well to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- In the meantime, halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Combine the cucumber mixture with tomatoes. Toss well to coat with the vinegar dressing. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.
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