Bright, refreshing Cucumber Tomato Salad with red onion and a punchy vinaigrette. Delicious eaten straight up or with your favorite grilled main. Put your garden or farmer's market produce to good use with this super simple, healthy quick-pickled salad that everyone adores!
Summer is all about simple. Throw it on the grill. Throw them in the pool. Ya know, it's a thousand degrees and we're all about the easy peasy lemon squeezy!
So grab those juicy 'maters and crisp cukes and let's make a tangy fresh salad that goes with just about everything (and is loved by just about everyone).
You can't mess it up, I swear.
The low down on ingredients
- Cucumbers: The small Persian ones are my favorite here because they're extra crisp and they don't need to be peeled. You can also use an English cucumber. If you use a regular American cucumber, peel it and scoop the seeds since they're more watery and the peel is tougher. I slice mine but you could totally do a chopped salad situation if that's your vibe.
- Tomatoes: Any large tomato like beefsteak or on the vine tomatoes are great here. If they're in season and local, they'll be nice and sweet!
- Red onion: Just like in my Rainbow Mediterranean Chickpea Salad, sharp onion honestly may be my favorite part. If you hate onion you can omit it.
- Olive oil: The silky smooth, oh so flavorful base of our simple dressing.
- Red wine vinegar: I like using red wine vinegar since the salad has Mediterranean roots, but apple cider vinegar also works well. I prefer mine really tangy, like a quick pickle situation, but if you want less acid you can do less vinegar and more oil like a traditional vinaigrette.
- Salt and pepper: A must!
- Sugar: I find a bit of sugar helps to balance and round out all the flavors.
Let's make it!
Put those gorg tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion in a bowl.
Make the vin by whisking olive oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
Add dressing, toss to combine, and devour!
I hope you're as obsessed with this fun recipe as I am!
I'd be super grateful if you'd take a moment to leave a quick star rating and review below. Comments mean the world to me and your honest feedback helps me to continue to share recipes you'll crave!
PrintQuick Cucumber, Tomato and Red Onion Salad
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dishes
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Bright, refreshing Cucumber Tomato Salad with red onion and a punchy vinaigrette. Delicious eaten straight up or with your favorite grilled main. Put your garden or farmer's market produce to good use with this super simple, healthy quick-pickled salad that everyone adores! I love it accompanied with my BBQ Tofu and Potatoes.
Ingredients
- 3 Persian cucumbers, sliced (2 cups)
- ¼ red onion, sliced thinly into half moons
- 2 medium tomatoes, sliced into wedges
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp organic cane sugar
- ½ tsp fine sea salt + freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- optional: 1-2 tbsp finely chopped herbs (basil, parsley, or mint)
Instructions
- Place cucumber, onion, tomatoes, and optional herbs in a medium mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour over veggies and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Freddie says
Google says one should not eat cucumber and tomatoes together.
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Lol all I can say as a dietitian is that there's no truth to that, but you do you!
Pete D. says
Sugar is a definite no. Also, I don't use any wine or alcohol/beer in any of my cooking for those who don't, or no longer, drink.
5 stars if you omit the sugar and even use regular vinegar.
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
We can all embrace our individual needs and preferences and encourage others to do the same. Glad you made it your own.
JB says
Wow. You're an @ss.
Sara says
Could this be canned without the oil of course? Do you think the tomatoes would get mushy?
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
I have zero canning experience so im not sure, sorry!