Easy Fresh Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad Recipe for Summer

Cool cucumber salads bring vibrant freshness to summer dining tables.

This crisp cucumber, tomato, and onion delight combines garden-fresh ingredients with zesty Mediterranean flavors.

Bright vegetables create a harmonious blend of textures and colors that dance across your plate.

Light and refreshing, the salad offers a perfect balance of crunch and tanginess.

Each ingredient contributes its unique character to the overall sensory experience.

Raw vegetables maintain their natural qualities, ensuring maximum nutritional benefits and flavor intensity.

Prepare this simple yet elegant dish when you want a quick, healthy side that celebrates seasonal produce.

Toss the Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad

Step 1: Prep Fresh Ingredients

• Cucumber: quarter-inch rounds
• Tomatoes: wedges or half-moons
• Onion: delicate rings or half-moons

Arrange sliced vegetables in a spacious mixing bowl.

Step 2: Create Flavor Burst Dressing

• White vinegar
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Granulated sugar
• Sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Dried oregano

Blend ingredients until sugar and salt completely dissolve, creating a smooth, vibrant marinade.

Step 3: Combine and Coat Vegetables

Pour dressing over vegetable slices. Gently toss using salad tongs or large spoon, ensuring every piece gets perfectly coated with tangy marinade.

Step 4: Chill and Infuse Flavors

Cover bowl with tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour, allowing vegetables to absorb rich, zesty flavors. For deeper taste, let sit overnight.

Step 5: Final Touch and Serve

Before serving, give salad another gentle toss. Optional: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for bright color and additional herbal note. Serve chilled as refreshing side dish.

Tips for Crisp Salad Texture

• Slice Evenly: Use a sharp knife or mandoline to cut cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions into uniform, thin slices for a consistent and appealing texture.
• Balance Flavors: Adjust the vinegar-to-oil ratio to suit your taste preferences, ensuring a perfect balance between tangy and smooth.
• Marinate Strategically: For maximum flavor absorption, let the salad sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour, allowing the vegetables to soak up the marinade's delicious essence.
• Control Moisture: Remove excess liquid before serving to prevent a watery salad, maintaining the crispness of the vegetables.
• Fresh Herb Boost: Experiment with additional herbs like dill or basil to elevate the salad's flavor profile and add a fresh, aromatic touch.

How to Keep Salad Fresh Longer

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftover salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep the salad chilled to maintain its crisp texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Draining Excess Liquid: Before storing, use a slotted spoon to remove vegetables from accumulated marinade. This prevents the salad from becoming too watery and helps preserve the vegetables' crunchiness.
• Reheating Recommendation: This cucumber, tomato, and onion salad is best enjoyed cold. Avoid microwaving or reheating, as heat will make the vegetables soggy and diminish their fresh, vibrant flavor. Simply remove from the refrigerator and serve chilled for the most delightful taste experience.

Great Pairings for the Cucumber Salad

• Pair with Grilled Proteins: Complement this crisp salad with juicy grilled chicken or tender lamb chops to balance the tangy marinade and add a hearty protein element.
• Match with Chilled White Wine: Select a crisp sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio that echoes the salad's refreshing acidity and light, zesty character.
• Serve Alongside Crusty Bread: Add rustic sourdough or ciabatta to soak up the delicious marinade, providing a textural contrast and making the dish more satisfying.
• Cool Down with Greek Yogurt Dip: Prepare a simple tzatziki to accompany the salad, offering a creamy counterpoint to the sharp vinegar and fresh vegetables.

Salad Variations to Explore

• Spicy Mediterranean Mix: Add diced jalapeños or red chili flakes to the marinade for a fiery kick that brings extra heat and zest to the classic cucumber salad.
• Greek-Inspired Version: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and kalamata olives into the salad for an authentic Mediterranean flavor profile that elevates the vegetable blend.
• Herb Garden Blend: Replace oregano with fresh chopped dill, basil, or mint to create a vibrant, aromatic variation that highlights seasonal garden herbs and adds complexity to the dish.
• Creamy Cucumber Fusion: Mix in a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream with the marinade to transform the salad into a creamy, tangy side dish that provides a rich and smooth texture.

Cucumber Tomato Onion Mix Snapshot

• Savor Instant Freshness: This cucumber, tomato, and onion salad bursts with crisp, clean flavors that instantly refresh your palate with every bite.
• Master Quick Culinary Magic: Requiring only simple chopping and whisking, this recipe transforms basic vegetables into a restaurant-worthy side dish in minutes without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: The versatile marinade allows easy adjustments – add more herbs, swap vinegars, or sprinkle extra spices to match your taste preferences and make the recipe uniquely yours.
• Boost Healthy Eating Effortlessly: Packed with raw vegetables and light dressing, this salad delivers nutritious goodness while being low-calorie and incredibly satisfying for health-conscious food lovers.

Ingredients for Cucumber Tomato Onion

• Cucumber: Crisp and refreshing base vegetable with a cool, light texture.
• Tomatoes: Juicy and ripe addition that provides vibrant color and sweet flavor.
• Onion: Sharp and aromatic ingredient that adds depth to the salad.

• Vinegar, Olive Oil: Tangy and smooth liquid base that creates a light dressing.
• Sugar: Optional sweetener to balance the acidity of the vinegar.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall flavor profile.
• Oregano: Herb that provides a classic Mediterranean herbal note.

• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds bright color and a clean, slightly peppery finish.

Crisp Cucumber, Tomato, And Onion Delight Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Refreshing cucumber, tomato, and onion salad brings Mediterranean zest to your table with minimal effort. Crisp vegetables and tangy dressing create a light, flavorful side that complements grilled meats and summer meals perfectly.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 3 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges or thick slices
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

Liquid Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) granulated sugar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
• 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt
• ½ teaspoon (1 gram) black pepper
• 1 teaspoon (1 gram) dried oregano or Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup (15 grams) fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Meticulously wash all vegetables under cool running water, ensuring no dirt or debris remains.
2. Using a sharp knife, slice cucumbers into thin, translucent rounds approximately 1/8 inch (0.3 centimeters) thick, creating uniform and elegant cuts.
3. Dice tomatoes into similar-sized pieces, removing the core and seeds to prevent excess moisture in the salad.
4. Slice red or white onions into delicate, paper-thin rings, which will absorb the marinade’s vibrant flavors more effectively.
5. Transfer the sliced vegetables into a spacious mixing bowl, arranging them gently to maintain their delicate structure.
6. In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk together white vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, granulated sugar, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried oregano.
7. Thoroughly blend the marinade ingredients until the sugar and salt completely dissolve, creating a harmonious dressing.
8. Gently pour the marinade over the vegetable medley, carefully tossing to ensure each slice is evenly coated.
9. Cover the bowl with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap, allowing the salad to marinate in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
10. Before serving, give the salad another gentle toss to redistribute the flavors and revive the dressing.
11. Optional: Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley or dill for an additional layer of aromatic freshness.
12. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light summer accompaniment.

Notes

• Quick and refreshing summer salad that bursts with garden-fresh flavors.
• Minimal prep time with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
• Marinating transforms ordinary vegetables into a tangy, vibrant side dish.
• Best enjoyed chilled, making it perfect for picnics, barbecues, and potlucks.
• Versatile recipe that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, fish, or as a standalone light meal.
• Nutrients from fresh vegetables and heart-healthy olive oil boost the dish’s nutritional profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 130 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg