This vibrant Tomato Cucumber Salad brings a burst of garden-fresh flavors to your table in just 10 minutes. Packed with essential nutrients and only 65 calories per cup, it’s the perfect light side dish for any meal. The combination of juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers creates a refreshing crunch that’s both satisfying and healthy. Whether you’re planning a quick lunch or need a nutritious dinner accompaniment, this simple salad delivers pure, wholesome goodness with every bite.
Ingredient Section
- Cherry Tomatoes: 2 cups, halved for optimal flavor release
- Mini Cucumbers: 5 pieces sliced into 1/4-inch coins (or 1½ English cucumbers)
- Olive Oil: 3 teaspoons of high-quality extra virgin for best results
- Red Wine Vinegar: 1 teaspoon to add perfect tang
- Salt and Black Pepper: Freshly ground, to taste
- Red Onions: 2 tablespoons, finely diced for pleasant bite
- Fresh Basil: 2 tablespoons, chopped for aromatic finish
Instructions Section
- Prepare Base: Combine halved cherry tomatoes and cucumber coins in a serving bowl
- Add Dressing: Drizzle the olive oil and red wine vinegar over the vegetables
- Season: Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference
- Mix Well: Gently toss all ingredients to ensure even coating of dressing
- Garnish: Top with diced red onions and fresh basil leaves for perfect presentation
Smart Prep Tips
Want the best flavor from your tomatoes and cucumbers? Cut your cherry tomatoes just before mixing – this keeps them super juicy! For the cucumbers, try to cut them all the same size so every bite is perfect. A quick tip for the red onions: after dicing them, give them a 5-minute soak in cold water to make them milder and extra crisp.
Easy Variations
This salad loves to be customized! Try swapping red wine vinegar with balsamic for a sweeter touch, or add some crumbled feta cheese for a creamy twist. No cherry tomatoes? Regular tomatoes cut into chunks work great too. You can also toss in some diced bell peppers or avocado for extra color and flavor. If basil isn’t your thing, fresh mint or parsley taste amazing here too!
Serving Ideas
This bright salad shines at summer BBQs next to grilled chicken or fish. It’s also perfect for lunch boxes – just pack the dressing separately and add it when you’re ready to eat. For a pretty presentation, serve it in a clear glass bowl to show off all those beautiful colors. Want to make it a meal? Add some mozzarella balls and crusty bread on the side.
Storage Tips
Love leftovers? Keep this salad fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The cucumbers and tomatoes might release some liquid – that’s totally normal! Just give everything a quick toss before serving again. For the freshest taste, wait to add the dressing until right before you eat.
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Equipment
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 5 mini cucumbers sliced into 1/4″ coins, or 1 ½ English cucumbers
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoons red onions diced
- 2 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves chopped
Instructions
- Add cherry tomatoes and cucumbers to a bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil and vinegar on top.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss everything to coat.
- Garnish with diced red onion and fresh basil.
