Cucumber Tomato Salad

Make this light Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe as a refreshing side dish or garnish for your summer meals. The cool, crisp cucumbers combined with juicy tomatoes are just the beginning. Add in the crunch of the onions, the saltiness of the feta, and the tangy vinaigrette, and you have one heck of a salad!

I love to stroll the stands of my local farmer’s market for fresh ingredients. Dishes like this Tomato Cucumber Salad just taste better with locally grown veggies. 

If you grow your own, more power to you! This easy salad is the perfect way to use them up! And of course, you can always make it easy and pick up the ingredients at the grocery store.

Customize Your Salad

This salad is one of those salads you can customize. If you’re not a huge fan of red onions, I understand! It took me a while to grow to love them. I have a tip that may help:

Soak your onions in a bowl of cold water for at least 15 minutes. This helps to remove that sharp bite of onion flavor by removing the enzymes that cause it. This will give them a milder flavor.

But if you still don’t like them, omit them. And if you want more tomatoes or feta cheese? Add more!

Ingredients for Tomato Cucumber Salad

Simple ingredients are soaked in a light vinaigrette before serving. Here are the main ingredients you need to make this easy recipe:

• English cucumber, quartered
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Fresh parsley, chopped (or other fresh herbs)
• Feta cheese, crumbled
• Sweet onion, finely diced (I used red onion for this recipe as I like the taste and color, too!)

For the Vinaigrette

Make this simple dressing with the following ingredients:

• White wine vinegar
• Red Wine vinegar
• Olive oil
• Granulated white sugar
• Salt
• Dried Italian seasoning

Check the recipe card below for all the detailed amounts for each ingredient!

How to make Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad

This delicious salad recipe couldn’t be much easier!

1. Before starting, soak the red onion slices in a bowl of cold water for at least 15 minutes (or longer, if possible!). Drain and then add them to your salad bowl as part of step 2.
2. Chop and combine all the vegetables together in a large bowl.
3. Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients in a separate small bowl. Pour over the vegetables. Toss to combine.
4. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cucumber in this recipe?

You can use regular cucumbers in this dish, or even short Persian cucumbers. English cucumbers are more tender with a thinner skin, are sweeter, and are generally seedless so you don’t have to remove the seeds before eating. I prefer them, but use whatever fresh cucumbers you like!

Can I use grape tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes?

Yes, you can. Grape tomatoes have a thicker, chewier texture than cherry tomatoes. They are also a bit more savory than sweet cherry tomatoes. Bottom line: you could use either one, but just know the taste and texture will differ slightly.

How long will a simple Cucumber Tomato Salad last in the fridge?

This cucumber salad can last about 3-4 days if stored properly in an airtight container. Throw it out when it starts to get mushy.

What should I serve with this chopped Cucumber Salad?

• Incorporate this great side dish into your lunch or dinner with BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches or BBQ Chicken Slider Melts.
• Serve it with crackers, baguette slices, or pita chips for a great appetizer or snack.
• Spoon it over chicken or tilapia as a fresh garnish.
• Stir it into rice or quinoa and add some grilled chicken to it to make it a meal!

Simple Salad Recipes

If you like a nice refreshing salad full of fresh flavor, try one of these recipes next time:

Make this Avocado Chicken Salad and use lettuce wraps instead of bread for a light, healthy lunch!

What’s not to love in this Broccoli Salad? Bacon, cheese, nuts, and fruits/veggies coated in a tangy and creamy dressing? It’s the perfect summer side to bring to your next shindig!

Enjoy the summer harvest with this colorful Roasted Vegetable Salad with whipped herb goat cheese.

This Apple Chicken Salad is an easy recipe loaded with crunchy apples, pre-cooked chicken, and salad greens. Every bite is packed with flavor and texture, and this fresh, healthy salad is a delicious lunch

This post was originally published August 18, 2013. It has been updated in format and with pictures on June 20, 2024.