Refreshing Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad Recipe for Summer

Cool summer days call for a refreshing cucumber, onion, and tomato salad that bursts with garden-fresh flavors.

Crisp vegetables mingle together in a light, zesty dance of colors and textures.

Each bite offers a delightful crunch that awakens the palate with bright, clean notes.

The simple combination of ingredients creates a vibrant dish that feels both classic and exciting.

Chopped vegetables gleam with a tangy dressing that adds depth and brightness.

This salad stands as a perfect side for grilled meats or a standalone light meal.

You’ll savor every refreshing spoonful of this simple yet extraordinary salad.

Fresh and Crunchy Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad

• Devour Gourmet Comfort: Transform a simple French bread into a restaurant-quality meal with layers of savory steak, melted cheeses, and rich garlic spread that elevates home cooking.
• Master Quick Impressive Cooking: Requires minimal culinary skills while delivering maximum flavor, perfect for cooks wanting to create a wow-factor dish without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Feast: Adaptable recipe allows switching cheeses, adding extra spices, or adjusting steak doneness to match personal taste preferences and ingredient availability.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Starter: Ideal for game day gatherings, casual dinner parties, or weekend family meals where everyone craves something hearty and delicious that sparks conversation.

Ingredients for Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad

• Cucumber: A crisp and cool vegetable that adds refreshing texture to the salad.
• Onion: A sharp and pungent ingredient that provides a zesty flavor.
• Tomato: A juicy and sweet vegetable that brings bright color and freshness to the dish.

• Vinegar, Water: Acidic liquids that help balance and enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Sugar, Salt: Seasonings that create a perfect sweet and savory balance in the dressing.
• Cracked Pepper: A spicy seasoning that adds a subtle heat and depth to the salad.
• Olive Oil: A smooth and rich oil that helps bind the dressing and adds a luxurious mouthfeel.

• Large Bowl: A container used for mixing and combining the salad ingredients.

How to Make Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad

Step 1: Slice and Dice the Veggies

Grab your cutting board and sharp knife. Thinly slice the crisp cucumbers and onions into delicate half-moons.

Chop the juicy tomatoes into bite-sized cubes. Toss all the vibrant vegetables into a spacious mixing bowl, creating a colorful medley of fresh ingredients.

Step 2: Craft the Flavor-Packed Dressing

• White vinegar
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• Granulated sugar
• Kosher salt
• Cool water
• Extra virgin olive oil

Whisk these components together with enthusiasm until the sugar and salt completely dissolve, creating a tangy liquid that will transform your salad.

Step 3: Marry the Vegetables and Dressing

Pour the aromatic dressing over the chopped vegetables.

Use a large spoon or salad tongs to gently toss and coat every single piece, ensuring each veggie gets a delicious splash of flavor.

Step 4: Let the Magic Happen

Cover the bowl with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap.

Slide the salad into the refrigerator and let it chill for a full day. This resting time allows the flavors to mingle and intensify, creating a truly remarkable taste experience.

Step 5: Serve and Devour

After 24 hours, give the salad one final gentle toss. Serve it cold as a refreshing side dish that bursts with summer freshness.

Your taste buds are in for a treat!

Tips for the Best Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad

• Use a sharp knife or mandoline to create uniform, thin slices for a consistent texture and better dressing absorption.
• Letting the salad marinate overnight helps intensify the tangy taste and allows vegetables to soak up the dressing completely.
• Adjust salt according to personal preference or dietary needs, keeping in mind the vinegar already adds a sharp flavor.
• Replace white vinegar with apple cider vinegar for a slightly sweeter profile or use red onions for added color and mild bite.
• Store in an airtight container and consume within 2-3 days for the best taste and crispness of vegetables.

Variations to Try with Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad

• Mediterranean Herb Salad: Replace water with lemon juice, add fresh chopped basil, oregano, and mint for a zesty Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Keto Version: Swap sugar with stevia or erythritol, use apple cider vinegar for extra tang, and include crumbled feta cheese on top.
• Spicy Southwest Cucumber Salad: Add diced jalapeños, replace olive oil with cilantro-infused oil, and sprinkle chili powder for a kick of heat.
• Asian-Inspired Cucumber Remix: Substitute vinegar with rice wine vinegar, include sesame oil, minced ginger, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds for an Eastern touch.

What to Serve with Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad

• Pair with Fresh Herbal White Wine: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the salad's tangy and light flavor profile, enhancing the vegetable freshness.
• Match with Grilled Protein Companions: Serve alongside simple grilled chicken breast, flaky white fish like tilapia, or tender lamb chops to create a balanced and satisfying meal.
• Complement with Crusty Bread: Add a rustic sourdough or ciabatta slice to soak up the zesty dressing, providing a delightful textural contrast and extra flavor dimension to the salad experience.
• Boost with Mediterranean Mezze Platter: Include hummus, olives, feta cheese, and warm pita bread to transform this cucumber salad into a complete Mediterranean-inspired light lunch or appetizer spread.

Storing Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad Properly

• Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the salad cold to maintain its crisp texture and fresh flavor.
• Before serving leftovers, use a slotted spoon to remove the vegetables, leaving behind the watery dressing to prevent sogginess.
• Do not freeze this salad, as the cucumber and tomatoes will lose their texture and become mushy when thawed.
• If the salad seems slightly wilted, add a few fresh cucumber or tomato slices before serving to revive its crunch and appearance.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of vinegar in the dressing?

Yes, you can experiment with apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or rice vinegar for slightly different flavor profiles.

• How fine should I slice the vegetables?

Aim for thin, uniform slices about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick to ensure even marinating and a pleasant texture.

• Is this salad healthy?

Absolutely! This salad is low in calories, high in nutrients, and packed with fresh vegetables that provide vitamins and minerals.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, it’s perfect for meal prep. The salad actually tastes better after 24 hours of chilling as the flavors meld together.

Cucumber, Onion, And Tomato Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean cucumber, onion, and tomato salad delivers crisp, refreshing flavors straight from coastal kitchens. Olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs mingle to create a light, zesty dish you’ll crave all summer long.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 3 tomatoes, diced
• 3 cucumbers, sliced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced

Dressing Base:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
• 2 tablespoons sugar

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Instructions

1. Carefully slice cucumbers and onions into thin, uniform pieces, then dice tomatoes into bite-sized cubes, placing all vegetables in a spacious mixing bowl.
2. Create a zesty dressing by whisking vinegar, cracked pepper, sugar, salt, water, and olive oil in a separate container until sugar and salt completely dissolve.
3. Gently cascade the prepared dressing over the vegetable medley, using a spatula to thoroughly coat each piece, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
4. Seal the bowl with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap, then refrigerate for 24 hours, allowing the ingredients to marinate and intensify their collective taste profile.
5. Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss to redistribute the dressing, then present the vibrant, tangy cucumber, onion, and tomato salad as a refreshing side dish.

Notes

• Choosing crisp, firm cucumbers ensures the best texture and prevents watery salad.
• Use sweet onions like Vidalia for a milder flavor that won’t overpower other ingredients.
• Consider adding fresh herbs like dill or parsley to enhance the salad’s brightness and complexity.
• For a low-carb version, replace sugar with stevia or omit sweetener completely to keep the dressing zesty.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 185 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 1160 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg