The Most Refreshing Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad (10-Minutes!)

The Simple, Lifesaving Salad for a Hot Summer Day

On a relentlessly hot summer afternoon, when the sun beats down and the air feels thick, my cravings shift. I don’t want anything heavy or complicated; I want something cool, crisp, and incredibly refreshing. It takes me back to my grandmother’s kitchen, where she had a secret weapon for days like this. It wasn’t a complex recipe, but a simple method for turning the garden’s best offerings into the most addictive dish on the picnic table. This cucumber tomato onion salad is that recipe. It’s a testament to the idea that with truly fresh ingredients, the simplest preparations are often the most profound.

The 6 Simple Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this salad is its simplicity. It’s all about letting the fresh, vibrant flavours of peak-season vegetables shine, enhanced by a perfectly balanced sweet and tangy vinaigrette.

this now & bake later ❤️

Timing Breakdown

This is the definition of a quick and easy side dish. The most important step is the short, hands-off marination time that lets the flavours meld beautifully.

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Marinating Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: Approximately 25 minutes

Data Insight: The 15-minute marination period is not just for chilling; it’s science at work! This short rest allows for osmosis, where the vegetables absorb the flavourful dressing while releasing some of their own water, creating a more cohesive and intensely flavourful salad.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Fresh Vegetables

Begin by washing your cucumbers and tomatoes thoroughly. Thinly slice the cucumbers; keeping the skin on adds a lovely colour and satisfying crunch. Chop the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. Peel the red onion and slice it into very thin rings or half-moons. Pro Tip: For a milder onion flavour, you can soak the sliced onions in a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes, then drain them well before adding them to the salad.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Simple Vinaigrette

In a small bowl, combine the apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Whisk vigorously until the sugar and salt have completely dissolved. Give it a taste! This is your chance to adjust the balance—add another pinch of sugar for more sweetness or a splash more vinegar for extra tang.

Step 3: Combine and Toss the Salad

In a large serving bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers, chopped tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion. Pour the prepared vinaigrette all over the vegetables.

Step 4: Let the Flavours Marinate (The Magic Step!)

Gently toss all the ingredients together, ensuring the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. Now for the most important part: let the salad sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes. This allows the vegetables to marinate and the flavours to meld into something truly delicious. If you have more time, you can cover and refrigerate it for up to an hour.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Just before serving, give the salad one last gentle toss. You can serve it chilled or at room temperature. For a final touch of freshness, garnish with freshly chopped herbs like parsley or dill.

Nutritional Information

This salad is light, hydrating, and packed with nutrients. Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown for one serving, assuming the recipe makes 4 servings.

• Calories: Approx. 65 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Sugar: 9g
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Vitamin C: Over 30% of RDI

Disclaimer: Nutrition is estimated and can vary based on the exact size and ripeness of the vegetables.

Variations and Healthier Alternatives

This simple salad is a fantastic base for your own creative twists.

• Make it Sugar-Free: You can easily omit the sugar for a purely tangy dressing, or replace it with a teaspoon of maple syrup or a pinch of stevia.
• Add Healthy Fats: While delicious as is, you can turn the vinaigrette into a more traditional one by whisking in 1-2 tablespoons of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
• Herb Overload: Don’t just garnish with herbs—make them a main ingredient! Add a handful of chopped fresh dill, mint, basil, or parsley directly into the salad.
• Make it a Meal: To make this a more substantial lunch, add a can of drained chickpeas, some crumbled feta cheese, and a few chopped olives for a Mediterranean vibe.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile salad is the perfect companion to almost any spring or summer meal.

• The Perfect BBQ Side: It’s a refreshing counterpoint to rich, smoky grilled meats like chicken, steak, or burgers.
• With Grilled Fish: Its bright, tangy flavour is a perfect match for simply grilled salmon or white fish.
• A Simple Lunch: Serve a large bowl of it alongside some crusty bread and a piece of cheese for a light and satisfying lunch.
• Personalized Tip: I love to make a big batch of this on a Sunday and keep it in the fridge. It’s my go-to healthy snack or a quick side dish for the next couple of days. The flavour gets even better on day two!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Skipping the Marination Time: This is the most crucial step. If you serve the salad immediately after tossing, the vegetables will be bland and the dressing will be a watery puddle at the bottom of the bowl. The 15-minute rest allows the flavours to penetrate the vegetables.
2. Using Thick Slices: The beauty of this salad is in the texture. Thinly slicing the cucumbers and onions allows them to become tender-crisp and absorb the dressing much more effectively. A mandoline can be a great tool for this.
3. Using Mealy, Out-of-Season Tomatoes: This salad is a celebration of summer produce. It’s at its best when made with ripe, sweet, in-season tomatoes. Using hard, flavourless winter tomatoes will lead to a disappointing result.
4. Not Tasting Your Dressing: The simple vinaigrette can vary in taste depending on the sweetness of your vinegar. Always taste it before you dress the salad and adjust the salt, sugar, or vinegar to your preference.

Storing Your Refreshing Salad

This salad is best enjoyed on the day it’s made, but leftovers are still delicious.

• Storing Leftovers: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Texture Note: Be aware that as the salad sits, the cucumbers will soften and release more water, losing their initial crispness. The flavour, however, will continue to develop and is fantastic on the second day.

The Ultimate Summer Side Dish

This cucumber tomato onion salad is the definition of simple perfection. It’s a quick, effortless, and incredibly refreshing side dish that celebrates the very best of summer produce. The combination of crisp cucumbers, sweet tomatoes, and sharp onion in a tangy, sweet-and-sour dressing is a timeless classic for a reason. It’s the perfect, hydrating dish for a hot day and is guaranteed to be a hit at any picnic, potluck, or barbecue.

We can’t wait for you to try this simple, refreshing classic! Let us know how you enjoyed it by leaving a comment and a rating below. Be sure to subscribe for more easy and delicious seasonal recipes!

FAQs

Q1: Can I make this salad ahead of time for a party?

Yes, but with a small adjustment. You can chop all the vegetables and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also mix the dressing and store it separately. About 30 minutes to an hour before serving, toss everything together to allow it to marinate.

Q2: Can I use a different kind of vinegar?

Absolutely! While apple cider vinegar adds a nice, fruity tang, this salad is also delicious with red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or even simple white distilled vinegar.

Q3: My salad seems to have a lot of liquid at the bottom. Is that normal?

Yes, that’s completely normal and actually a good sign! The salt in the dressing draws water out of the cucumbers and tomatoes. This flavourful liquid is delicious and perfect for sopping up with a piece of crusty bread. If you prefer less liquid, you can salt the sliced cucumbers separately, let them sit for 20 minutes, then rinse and pat them dry before making the salad.

Q4: What other vegetables or herbs would be good in this salad?

This is a great base for additions! Thinly sliced bell peppers (any colour), chopped celery, or even corn kernels would be delicious. For herbs, fresh mint and basil are fantastic additions that pair beautifully with tomato and cucumber.

Q5: Can I make this cucumber tomato onion salad without sugar?

Of course. If you prefer a purely savory and tangy salad, you can omit the sugar entirely. The dressing will be much sharper, similar to a classic vinaigrette. You could also use a natural sweetener like a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup.

The Most Refreshing Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad (10-Minutes!)

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• Author: Evelyn Marcella Rivera
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 people 1x

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Description

Bright, crisp cucumbers and juicy tomatoes mingle with sweet-sharp red onion in a simple vinegar-and-sugar dressing. A quick 15-minute marination softens the sharp edges and lets the flavors meld into the ultimate easy side dish—light, hydrating, and bursting with summer freshness.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups Cucumber (Thinly sliced skin on for crunch)
• 2 cups Tomatoes (Chopped Roma or cherry work best)
• 1 small Red onion (Thinly sliced)
• 2 Tbsp Apple cider vinegar (Or any vinegar of your choice)
• 1 Tbsp Sugar (Balances acidity)
• To taste Salt & pepper (Adjust to preference)

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Instructions

Prep the Vegetables:

1. Wash and thinly slice cucumbers; chop tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.
2. Peel and thinly slice the red onion into rings or half-moons.

Whisk the Vinaigrette:

1. In a small bowl, combine apple cider vinegar, sugar, a pinch of salt, and several grinds of black pepper.
2. Whisk vigorously until sugar and salt dissolve. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as desired.

Combine & Toss:

1. In a large bowl, add cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions.
2. Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables and toss gently until evenly coated.

Marinate (The Magic Step!):

1. Let the salad sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes, tossing once or twice. Osmosis draws the dressing into the veggies and releases excess moisture, intensifying flavor.

Garnish & Serve:

1. Give the salad one final gentle toss.
2. Serve at room temperature or chilled, optionally garnished with freshly chopped parsley or dill. Offer lime wedges on the side for a bright finish.

Notes

• For an even milder onion flavor, soak sliced onions in ice water for 10 minutes, then drain before tossing.

• Swap in rice vinegar or white wine vinegar for a different tang profile.

• Add fresh herbs—like mint or basil—just before serving for extra brightness.

• This salad is best enjoyed within 2 hours of mixing; overly long marination can make veggies too soft.

• Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the fridge up to 1 day; re-toss before serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Salad, Side Dish
• Cuisine: American, International Recipes

Nutrition

• Calories: 65