Easy Cucumber and Tomato Salad

With just a few simple ingredients, this recipe for an Easy Cucumber and Tomato Salad is the perfect way to enjoy summer produce!

*Originally published July 2015. Updated April 2024*

Hi Friends!

This easy tomato and cucumber salad is super simple, but it’s full of flavor. There’s something so refreshing about a veggie-packed summer salad like this one topped with a fresh, flavorful dressing.

The best time to enjoy this salad is the middle of summer when there’s an overabundance of cucumbers and tomatoes that need to be used up. Since it gets better the longer it sits, you can make a big batch and enjoy it all week long. It’s the perfect addition to your Sunday food prep. Want to learn more about meal prep? I have a whole course to teach you. Check out Mastering Food Prep to learn all my best tips and tricks!

Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Italian Dressing

My mother-in-law has been making a similar salad using Italian dressing for years and my husband loves it. To make that version, simply slice up some tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions and then drizzle with Italian dressing.

While I love that version as well, I decided I wanted to put my own spin on it with a homemade dressing. If homemade dressing intimidates you, don’t worry! You probably have all the ingredients you need right in the pantry. Here’s what you need:

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Cucumber Tomato and Onion Salad Ingredients

• Cucumber – I prefer English cucumbers because they’re less watery.
• Tomato – I use cherry or grape tomatoes and quarter them.
• Red onion – Optional but adds some flavor
• Oil – Any mild-flavored oil like avocado oil works well.
• Red wine vinegar
• Sugar – To add a bit of sweetness.
• Black pepper – freshly cracked is best!

The dressing adds a light summer flavor while still letting the tomatoes and other produce shine!

How To Make Cucumber Tomato Salad

This recipe honestly couldn’t be any simpler – just slice up the cucumbers, tomatoes and onions and place them in a big bowl. Mix together the oil, vinegar, sugar and pepper and pour over the veggies. Toss to coat and let it marinate in the fridge.

Can a tomato and cucumber salad be made ahead of time for events? How long should cucumber and tomato salad be marinated before serving?

Yes! This is actually the perfect salad to make ahead of time because it tastes better the longer it marinates. I recommend making at least 2 hours ahead of time but it could easily be made 24-48 hours before an event.

How do I store leftovers of cucumber and tomato salad?

Store the leftovers in a glass container in the fridge. Leftovers are good for about 5 days. If you have extra dressing once the veggies are gone, just chop up some more vegetables and add them to the same container.

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Cucumber and Tomato Salad Recipe

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Cucumber Tomato Salad FAQs

What variety of cucumbers works best for tomato cucumber salad?

My favorite type of cucumber for this salad is an English cucumber. They are longer than traditional cucumbers and tend to be a bit sweeter as well as have fewer seeds.

If all you can find are regular cucumbers, that’s fine. I just recommend slicing them in half lengthwise and scooping out the seeds before slicing them for the salad.

Can I use grape tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes for this salad?

Yes, you can use either. Cherry tomatos are round with thinner skin and they tend to be sweeter. Grape tomatoes are more oval shaped with thicker skin and they aren’t quite as sweet. Both will work equally well for this recipe.

How can I make a cucumber and tomato salad more filling?

I tend to think of this salad as a side dish or appetizer. But to make it a bit more filling, try adding a can of drained chickpeas or great northern beans. These pair nicely with the vegetables and also taste great with the dressing!

How do different types of vinegar affect a cucumber and tomato salad’s taste?

Red wine vinegar is my go-to vinegar for salad dressing but there are several other varieties you can use. Try rice vinegar, white vinegar or even apple cider vinegar if you have them on hand. Each will add a bit of a different flavor. Apple cider vinegar is a bit fruitier whereas white vinegar will have a stronger, more traditional vinegar flavor and you may need some extra sugar to balance it out. Rice vinegar will also be a bit more mild and less tangy than white vinegar.

What other seasonings can I use for a tomato and cucumber salad?

I keep it simple and just add black pepper to mine. You can always add a sprinkle of salt to enhance the flavor. If you want something different, try adding some fresh dill, some garlic, parsley, mint or even some red pepper flakes to add a little spice.

Can I use other vegetables in a cucumber tomato salad?

You could add some sliced bell peppers or some shredded cabbage/coleslaw to change things up.

What to serve with cucumber tomato salad? What proteins pair well with tomato and cucumber salad?

While this salad tastes great by itself, you can also use it in other ways:

• Throw it in a wrap or pita – use it to replace the cucumber mix in these Spicy Chicken Pitas.
• Serve it over chicken – I love this Simple Chicken Marinade for Meal Prep or this Spicy Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade.
• Serve it as a side dish with burgers – try these Avocado Chicken Burgers
• Stir in some leftover cooked pasta or orzo and some white beans or chicken sausage.

Tomato Cucumber Salad

Want more cucumber salad recipes? Try these:

• Cucumber Tomato Salad with Best Ever Italian Dressing
• Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–