Cucumber Tomato Salad – Easy, Fresh 10-Minute Summer Salad

This Cucumber Tomato Salad is a simple, refreshing side dish made with crisp cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and fresh parsley. Everything is tossed in a light olive oil and vinegar dressing with a touch of oregano, black pepper, and optional garlic for extra flavor. With just 10 minutes of preparation, this easy cucumber tomato salad is perfect for summer lunches, family dinners, picnics, and potlucks. A short rest in the refrigerator allows the vegetables to absorb the tangy dressing, creating a colorful salad that tastes fresh and vibrant with minimal effort.

Quick Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Chilling Time: 10–15 minutes
• Total Active Prep: 10 minutes
• Servings: 6
• Course: Salad / Side Dish
• Cuisine: Fresh, Mediterranean-inspired

Why You’ll Love This Cucumber Tomato Salad

• Quick and easy: Prepare the vegetables and dressing in about 10 minutes.
• Fresh ingredients: Cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, red onion, and parsley create a colorful combination.
• Light, tangy dressing: Olive oil and red wine vinegar bring out the natural flavors of the vegetables.
• Easy to customize: Use lemon juice instead of vinegar, and add oregano or garlic if desired.
• Perfect for sharing: This recipe makes six servings, making it suitable for family meals and gatherings.

Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers, peeled and sliced
• 3 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano, optional
• 1 garlic clove, minced, optional

Choosing the Best Ingredients

Use ripe tomatoes that feel firm but yield slightly when pressed. They should be juicy and flavorful without being overly soft.

Choose cucumbers that feel firm and have smooth, unblemished skin. The recipe calls for peeling them, but you can leave some or all of the skin on if you prefer a little extra texture.

Fresh parsley adds a bright herbal flavor, while red onion provides a mild sharpness that balances the sweetness of the tomatoes.

For the dressing, extra-virgin olive oil gives the salad a smooth, fruity finish. Red wine vinegar adds tanginess, while lemon juice offers a fresh citrus alternative.

How to Make Cucumber Tomato Salad

1. Prepare the vegetables

Peel the cucumbers and slice them into even pieces. Dice the ripe tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion.

Place all three vegetables in a large mixing bowl. Cutting them into similar-sized pieces helps distribute the dressing evenly and makes the salad easy to serve.

2. Make the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar or lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano if using.

If you enjoy a little extra savory flavor, add the minced garlic. Whisk until the ingredients are well combined.

3. Add the parsley

Chop the fresh parsley and add it to the bowl with the prepared vegetables.

Fresh parsley brings a clean, herbal note that complements the juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers.

4. Toss everything together

Pour the dressing over the vegetables and parsley.

Gently toss until the cucumber slices, tomatoes, and red onion are evenly coated. Avoid mixing too vigorously, as ripe tomatoes can become soft and release too much juice.

Taste the salad and add more salt if needed.

5. Chill before serving

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for 10–15 minutes before serving.

This short chilling period allows the dressing to mingle with the vegetables and helps the flavors come together. Serve chilled or slightly cool.

Tips for the Best Cucumber Tomato Salad

• Choose ripe but firm tomatoes: They provide plenty of flavor while holding their shape when tossed.
• Slice the onion thinly: Thin slices distribute the onion flavor throughout the salad without overpowering the other ingredients.
• Whisk the dressing separately: Mixing the dressing first helps distribute the salt, pepper, and herbs more evenly.
• Toss gently: Stir carefully to keep the tomatoes from breaking apart.
• Chill briefly: Refrigerating the salad for 10–15 minutes gives the dressing time to flavor the vegetables.
• Adjust the seasoning: Taste before serving and add a little extra salt if needed.

Easy Variations

Cucumber Tomato Salad with Lemon

Replace the red wine vinegar with lemon juice, as allowed in the original recipe. The citrus adds a bright, fresh flavor that works especially well with parsley and olive oil.

Garlic Cucumber Tomato Salad

Add the optional minced garlic to the dressing for a more pronounced savory flavor. One clove is enough to give the salad extra character.

Herbed Tomato Cucumber Salad

Include the optional dried oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor. It pairs naturally with the olive oil dressing and fresh vegetables.

Adjust the Onion Flavor

If you prefer a milder onion taste, slice the red onion very thinly. This helps it blend into the salad rather than dominating each bite.

What to Serve with Cucumber Tomato Salad

This refreshing salad fits easily into everyday meals, especially during warmer weather.

Serve it alongside grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or your favorite main dish for a simple lunch or dinner. It also works well as part of a summer buffet, picnic spread, or potluck meal.

For a light lunch, serve it with warm bread or another simple side. The tomato juices and tangy dressing create a flavorful finish that makes the salad enjoyable with a variety of foods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make cucumber tomato salad ahead of time?

You can prepare the vegetables and dressing in advance, then combine them shortly before serving. For the freshest texture, avoid dressing the salad too far ahead because the tomatoes and cucumbers release moisture as they sit.

How long should I chill the salad?

The recipe recommends refrigerating it for 10–15 minutes before serving. This gives the dressing time to mingle with the vegetables without requiring a long wait.

Can I use lemon juice instead of red wine vinegar?

Yes. The recipe specifically allows either red wine vinegar or lemon juice. Choose whichever flavor you prefer.

Is garlic necessary?

No. The garlic is optional. You can leave it out for a milder dressing or include one minced clove for extra savory flavor.

Can I leave out the dried oregano?

Yes. Dried oregano is optional, so the salad will still work without it.

How can I keep the salad from becoming watery?

Use firm, ripe tomatoes and toss the ingredients gently. Because cucumbers and tomatoes naturally release liquid, the salad is best enjoyed fresh rather than stored for an extended period after dressing.

Final Thoughts

This easy Cucumber Tomato Salad brings together crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, red onion, and parsley in a simple olive oil dressing. It takes just 10 minutes to prepare, with an optional 10–15 minutes of chilling before serving. Whether you’re planning a summer meal, preparing a potluck side, or looking for a fresh addition to dinner, this colorful salad is an uncomplicated way to enjoy everyday vegetables.

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