Fresh Quick Cucumber Tomato Salad
A crunchy, juicy, and refreshingly light salad made with cucumbers, tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a simple olive oil and lemon dressing. Perfect for easy summer meals and pairs well with grilled dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium cucumbers, peeled or unpeeled, sliced thinly (English or Kirby cucumbers work best)
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped (vine-ripened or heirloom; cherry tomatoes halved also work)
- 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs, chopped (basil, parsley, or dill)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt to taste (sea salt or kosher salt preferred)
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional add-ins:
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Pinch of chili flakes
Instructions
- Wash the cucumbers and tomatoes thoroughly. Slice the cucumbers thinly, about 1/8 inch thick. Chop the tomatoes into roughly 1-inch chunks. Thinly slice the red onion if using.
- In a small bowl or jar, combine 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper. Whisk or shake well until emulsified. Optionally stir in 1 teaspoon of red wine vinegar or a touch of honey.
- Place the cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion in a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the vegetables. Add 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs. Gently toss using salad tongs or two large spoons to coat evenly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Let the salad sit for 5-10 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld.
- Transfer to a serving bowl or platter. Garnish with whole herb leaves or a sprinkle of chili flakes if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Slice cucumbers just before serving to keep them crisp. Be gentle when tossing to avoid bruising tomatoes. If making ahead, store dressing separately and toss just before serving. Letting the salad rest 5-10 minutes enhances flavor. Avoid freezing as texture will suffer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1
Keywords: cucumber tomato salad, summer salad, quick salad, easy salad, fresh salad, healthy salad, vegan salad, gluten-free salad