This refreshing tomato cucumber salad is a rainbow of juicy summer produce to make all your meals look pretty. It’s tossed in an herby champagne vinaigrette for the perfect amount of brightness!
Quick and Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad
If you’re looking for the perfect summer side, this cucumber tomato salad with homemade garlicky vinaigrette is it. It only takes a couple minutes and is packed with tangy champagne vinegar and herby Italian seasoning. Tossed with tomatoes, spicy red onion, and crisp cucumbers, it’s a colorful fiesta in a bowl. Served as a side or with grilled chicken for a whole meal, you won’t have any trouble eating all your veggies from now on.
Why You’ll Love This Tomato & Cucumber Salad
This easy tomato cucumber salad is packed with crunchy summer veggies ready to add juiciness and sweetness to your meals.
- Quick. You get a fresh salad and a homemade vinaigrette in only 8 minutes.
- Versatile. Add protein or pasta for easy variations of this recipe to keep you full.
- Refreshing. Serve it straight out of the fridge for a light, refreshing side full of crunchy veggies.
- Prep-friendly. Double or triple the recipe and you’ll have more than enough salad for the week ready in no time.
Recipe Ingredients
Fresh produce means each bite will be crunchier, juicier, and more refreshing. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.
For the Salad
- Tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes are a good swap.
- Cucumber – Persian cucumbers are great too.
- Red onion – Feel free to use yellow onion.
- Basil – Pick fresh basil with bright green leaves and no yellow stems.
- Salt and pepper – Adjust the amount to taste.
For the Vinaigrette
- Avocado oil – You can also use olive oil.
- Champagne vinegar – White wine vinegar is a great option.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic is best. Avoid garlic powder because it’ll make the vinaigrette grainy.
- Italian seasoning – Use your favorite, especially if it’s not completely ground into a powder.
- Salt and pepper – I prefer kosher salt and freshly-cracked pepper.
How to Make Tomato Cucumber Salad
You’ll be surprised by how easy the homemade vinaigrette is. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for more detailed instructions.
- Mix the ingredients. Toss the salad ingredients together in a large bowl. Set it aside.
- Whisk the vinaigrette. Place all of the vinaigrette ingredients in a bowl and whisk well. You can also place in a mason jar and shake until combined.
- Toss it. Pour 1/4 of the vinaigrette into the salad and toss gently.
- Serve. Add more vinaigrette to taste, serve, and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
Keep it simple of change it up by making it a pasta salad!
- Add more veggies. Mix in 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and baby carrots for more crunch.
- Use store-bought. If you’re in a rush, add your favorite store-bought vinaigrette instead.
- Make it a pasta salad. Cook 1-2 cups of your favorite short pasta like penne or fusilli and toss it with the salad for an easy variation.
- Add protein. Grilled chicken or turkey can make this recipe extra hearty.
- Salt the cucumbers. To prevent the cucumbers from releasing excess moisture, sprinkle them with salt in a bowl. Let the rest for 20 minutes or until they’ve release some of their water. Rinse them well and strain before adding them to the salad. This will keep them crunchy for a longer amount of time.
Serving Suggestions
This crunchy tomato cucumber salad is a refreshing side for your favorite beef, pork, or fish mains. Serve it with my Pistachio Crusted Salmon or Baked Cod for some seafood. For pork, try my Roasted Pork Chops or Balsamic Roasted Pork Chops. My Blue Cheese Crusted Steak or Stuffed Baked Steak are other great options. Chicken options work too. If you’re craving a side of soup, prepare my Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup.
Proper Storage
Enjoy it straight out of the fridge or at room temperature.
- Fridge: Refrigerate the salad and vinaigrette separately if possible. Store the salad in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The vinaigrette will keep for up to 3 weeks.
More Easy Side Dishes
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
Salad:
- 2 medium tomatoes cubed {I used heirloom}
- 1 medium cucumber trimmed, halved and sliced thin
- 1/4 cup of diced red onion
- 2-3 basil leaves torn into pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Avocado Vinaigrette:
- 6 tablespoon avocado oil
- 3 tablespoon champagne vinegar
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 teaspoon italin seasoning mix
- pinch of kosher salt
- pinch of ground black pepper
Instructions
Salad:
- Toss ingredients together in serving bowl. Set Aside
Avocado Vinaigrette:
- Place all ingredients in a bowl in whisk or place in mason jar and shake to blend.
- Pour about 1/4 of dressing on salad and toss.
- Taste and add dressing to taste.
This salad is gorgeous and full of some of my favorite flavors, Amy! Well done!
Thanks Julie!
I love cucumber salad! This recipe is perfect because I have a bunch of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers in my garden.
I just filled my counter again with tomatoes and cucumbers, all the rain means I have an abundance this year, and this salad is the perfect way to use them up.
Amy, This is exactly what I am going to eat every day this week. The perfect healthy and light lunch!
Enjoy Katie!
I have a lot of cucumbers and tomatoes at our house. We have had so much rain, they are overflowing! This salad looks delicious!
Sarah, I am picking tomatoes and cucumbers left and right. This salad is the perfect and easy way to enjoy them
I love summer salads! They’re perfect for sides or as the main dish and this one is so beautiful!
Thank you Rachel!