The “Taste of Sunshine” Salad: The Ultimate Tomato, Cucumber & Onion Salad!

Isn’t it true that sometimes the most delicious dishes are actually the simplest ones? They are the kind of recipes that take perfectly ripe, in-season vegetables and let their amazing, natural flavors shine with just a light and simple touch. It is a true celebration of freshness in its purest form.

This classic Tomato, Cucumber, and Onion Salad is the very definition of that beautiful simplicity. It’s a vibrant and beautiful medley of juicy, sweet tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and sharp red onion, all tossed together in a light and tangy vinaigrette. It is quite literally the taste of a summer garden in a bowl.

Today, we are making the ultimate version of this timeless classic. This simple recipe includes one crucial but very easy trick to keep your salad crisp and vibrant, and never watery. Get ready to master the most essential and refreshing side dish of the season.

The Ultimate “Garden Fresh” Side: Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad

This Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad is the ultimate “garden fresh” side dish. The recipe celebrates the simple, perfect harmony of ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and sharp red onion. It is a light, healthy, and incredibly flavour-packed salad that is the perfect embodiment of summer on a plate.

A Perfect Easy Summer Side Dish for Simple Healthy Salad Recipes

You will find that this is the perfect easy summer side dish. It is incredibly simple to make and requires no cooking, which is a lifesaver on a hot day. This is also one of the absolute best simple healthy salad recipes, as it is packed with fresh vegetables and dressed in a light, homemade vinaigrette.

Your Guide: How to Keep Cucumber and Tomato Salad From Getting Watery

For anyone wondering how to keep cucumber and tomato salad from getting watery, the most important secret is to salt your cucumbers and tomatoes before you dress them. You will want to chop your vegetables, place them in a colander, and toss them with a little bit of salt. Letting them sit for about 20 to 30 minutes allows the salt to draw out a significant amount of their excess water, which you can then discard, leaving you with more concentrated and flavourful vegetables that will not water down your beautiful dressing.

Why You’ll Love This Tomato Cucumber and Onion Salad

You are going to love this recipe because it has an incredibly refreshing, crisp, and vibrant flavor that is the perfect accompaniment to almost any meal. You’ll also adore how unbelievably easy it is to make with just a handful of simple, fresh ingredients. Plus, it’s the perfect, light and healthy side dish for any barbecue, potluck, or simple weeknight dinner during the warm weather months.

Nutritional Benefits

This beautiful and simple salad is a wonderfully light and hydrating side dish. Cucumbers are composed of over 95% water, and tomatoes are absolutely packed with the powerful antioxidant lycopene and essential Vitamin C. By making your own simple dressing from scratch at home, you also completely avoid the high-fructose corn syrup and preservatives that are often found in many store-bought, bottled dressings.

Full Recipe

Are you ready to create the most refreshing and delicious side dish that tastes like pure sunshine? This detailed guide will walk you through the unbelievably simple process for creating this classic and flavour-packed salad, with one simple trick for perfect results. Get ready to master a new go-to recipe that will be the star of all your summer meals.

Celebrate the peak of summer with the quintessential tomato, cucumber, and onion salad. This dish is summer in a bowl, combining juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and sharp red onion in a simple vinegar dressing. It’s light, healthy, and bursting with freshness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Resting Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Yield: 6-8 servings | Category: Side Dish, Salad | Method: No-Cook | Cuisine: American | Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Essential Ingredients for a Tomato Cucumber and Onion Salad

This classic and refreshing side dish comes together with just a handful of simple, fresh ingredients.

• Tomatoes: 1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• Cucumbers: 2 medium cucumbers, sliced or chopped
• Onion: 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• For the Simple Vinaigrette:
  • ¼ cup of red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon of dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Ingredients Notes

A little more detail on our key ingredients will ensure your salad is a spectacular success.

• The Tomatoes: For the best, sweetest flavor, it is highly recommended to use ripe, in-season cherry or grape tomatoes. Their small size means they have a great skin-to-flesh ratio and hold their shape beautifully in the salad. If you have access to large, beautiful heirloom tomatoes, they would also be a fantastic choice.
• The Cucumbers: You can use any type of cucumber you like for this recipe. A classic garden cucumber, an English cucumber, or the smaller Persian cucumbers will all be delicious. The most important thing is that they are fresh and crisp.
• The Red Onion: A red onion is the perfect choice for this salad as it provides a beautiful pop of purple color and a slightly milder, sweeter flavor than a yellow onion. Slicing it as thinly as you possibly can will ensure that its flavor is present but not overpowering.
• The Vinaigrette: Our simple vinaigrette is all about balance. The red wine vinegar provides a bright, tangy base, while the small amount of sugar perfectly balances the acidity. A good quality olive oil adds a touch of fruity richness to the final dish.

How to Prevent It From Becoming Watery

Let’s walk through the incredibly simple steps to create this perfect, refreshing side salad.

• Step 1: The Secret to a Non-Watery Salad. First, place your halved cherry tomatoes and your chopped cucumbers in a colander set over a large bowl. Sprinkle them generously with about a half teaspoon of salt and toss to combine. Let the vegetables sit in the colander for about 20 to 30 minutes to allow the salt to draw out their excess water.
• Step 2: Create the Vinaigrette. While the vegetables are resting, you can prepare your simple dressing. In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, combine the red wine vinegar, the olive oil, the granulated sugar, the dried oregano, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk or shake the dressing together until it is well combined.
• Step 3: Combine the Salad. After 30 minutes, discard the water that has collected in the bottom of the bowl. Gently pat the salted tomatoes and cucumbers dry with a paper towel. Place the drained vegetables in a large serving bowl with the thinly sliced red onion.
• Step 4: Dress and Serve. Pour the prepared vinaigrette all over the vegetables in the bowl. Toss everything together gently until the vegetables are evenly coated in the dressing.
• Step 5: Chill and Enjoy. You can serve the salad immediately, or for the best flavor, you can let it marinate in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes before serving.

Storage Options

This classic cucumber and tomato salad is at its absolute best when it is enjoyed on the day it is made, while the vegetables are at their crispiest. If you do have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The vegetables will soften slightly as they continue to marinate, but they will still be delicious.

Variations and Substitutions

This incredibly simple recipe is a perfect blank canvas for your own creative additions. You can easily add other fresh, crunchy vegetables to the salad, such as some chopped bell peppers or celery. For a different flavor profile, feel free to add other fresh herbs, like some chopped parsley, dill, or basil. For a creamy version, you could add some crumbled feta cheese to the salad right before serving.

Practical & Valuable Tips

For the absolute best flavor, use the freshest, ripest, and most in-season vegetables you can possibly find. The most important tip for this recipe is to not skip the initial step of salting and draining your tomatoes and cucumbers; this is the non-negotiable secret to a crisp, flavour-packed salad that is never watery. Finally, for the crispiest result, it is a great idea to dress the salad right before you plan to serve it.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I have to peel my cucumbers for this recipe? This is a matter of personal preference. If you are using a thin-skinned variety like an English or a Persian cucumber, there is no need to peel them. If you are using a standard garden cucumber with a thicker, waxier skin, peeling it is often a good idea for the best texture.
2. Can I use a different kind of vinegar? Yes, you can. While red wine vinegar provides a classic, robust flavor, this salad would also be fantastic with a slightly sweeter apple cider vinegar, a standard white vinegar, or even a white balsamic vinegar.
3. How long does this salad last in the refrigerator? Because of our special salting trick, this salad holds up much better than most. It will stay fresh and delicious in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, though it will be at its absolute crispiest on the first day.
4. Can I make this salad ahead of time for a party? Yes, this is a great make-ahead side dish. You can chop all of your vegetables and prepare your vinaigrette ahead of time and store them in separate containers in the refrigerator. When you are ready to serve, you can simply toss everything together.
5. What are the best meals to serve with this cucumber and tomato salad? This refreshing salad is the perfect accompaniment to a huge variety of summer meals. It is fantastic with classic barbecue dishes like grilled chicken or burgers. It is also a wonderful and classic side dish for a simple potluck, a summer picnic, or alongside some grilled fish.

Conclusion

This Tomato Cucumber and Onion Salad is the ultimate side dish for a refreshing and delicious bite. It’s a recipe that takes simple, humble ingredients and transforms them into a tangy, crisp, and incredibly satisfying accompaniment to any meal. It is a foolproof, timeless recipe that is guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone’s face and become a staple in your home. It’s the perfect no-cook side for hot days. If you love this easy and nostalgic recipe, don’t forget to share it and save it to your favorite side dish board on Pinterest!