Fresh Garden Delight: Zesty Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

Cool summer breezes carry memories of fresh garden harvests and vibrant cucumber tomato salad that dances with crisp, tangy flavors.

Ripe tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers blend into a refreshing medley bursting with natural goodness.

This simple salad celebrates seasonal produce with its bright, zesty character.

Each colorful bite offers a delightful crunch that awakens the senses.

Garden-fresh ingredients create a light, invigorating dish perfect for warm afternoons.

Toss together these classic vegetables and watch a humble salad transform into a crowd-pleasing sensation that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need For Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

• Cucumber: Crisp base that adds refreshing crunch and hydration to the salad, choose firm and dark green specimens without soft spots.
• Tomatoes: Juicy and sweet component that provides vibrant color and rich flavor, select ripe but still firm tomatoes with deep red color.
• Red Onion: Sharp and zesty ingredient that introduces a bold flavor contrast, pick onions with tight, smooth skin and no sprouting.

• Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar: Create smooth, tangy base that helps blend flavors and enhance overall taste profile.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds creamy texture and subtle spicy undertone, opt for smooth and well-balanced mustard.
• Garlic Powder, Oregano: Introduce aromatic depth and Mediterranean-inspired seasoning, choose high-quality dried herbs for maximum flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning that elevates and balances the entire dish, use freshly ground pepper for more intense taste.

• Fresh Parsley, Basil: Bright herbs that provide fresh, green notes and aromatic complexity, select vibrant green leaves without wilting.
• Feta Cheese: Creamy, tangy cheese that adds rich texture and Mediterranean character, choose authentic Greek feta for best results.

Tools For Mixing Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

• Large Bowl: Perfect for mixing and tossing salad ingredients together.
• Small Bowl: Great for whisking and preparing the dressing.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to slice cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion cleanly.
• Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for chopping vegetables.

Easy Instructions For Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

• Slice and Combine Fresh Veggies

Grab your cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion. Chop them into thin, vibrant slices and toss them together in a spacious mixing bowl.

• Whip Up a Zesty Dressing

In a small container, blend olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, a sprinkle of garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the mixture looks smooth and inviting.

• Marry the Flavors

Drizzle the tangy dressing over your veggie mix. Gently toss everything to ensure each slice gets coated with the delicious blend. Sprinkle some fresh parsley or basil on top, and if you’re feeling indulgent, crumble some feta cheese for an extra punch of flavor.

• Let It Mingle and Enjoy

Allow the salad to rest for a quick 10-15 minutes. This magical pause lets all the flavors dance and get to know each other. Serve it cool or at room temperature for a refreshing side dish that’ll make taste buds sing.

Fresh Tips For Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

• Crisp Cucumber Tip: Choose firm, dark green cucumbers and remove seeds for a crunchier texture. Seedless varieties like English cucumbers work perfectly.
• Flavor Boost Hack: Let the salad marinate for 30 minutes instead of 10-15 minutes to intensify the dressing's taste and help vegetables absorb more seasoning.
• Protein Power Variation: Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or hard-boiled eggs to transform this side dish into a complete meal with extra protein.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace traditional vegetables with lighter alternatives like zucchini or swap feta for a dairy-free version using nutritional yeast for similar tangy flavor.
• Mediterranean Twist: Experiment with additional herbs like mint or dill, and include kalamata olives for an authentic Greek-inspired salad experience.

How To Serve Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe Bright

• Mediterranean Mezze Platter: Arrange the cucumber tomato salad as a centerpiece surrounded by warm pita bread, hummus, olives, and grilled lamb skewers for a stunning Mediterranean-inspired spread.
• Fresh Summer Lunch: Pair the salad with grilled chicken breast or light fish like tilapia, serving on a bed of quinoa to create a refreshing and nutritious summer meal.
• Picnic Perfect Side: Pack the salad in a portable container for outdoor gatherings, complementing sandwiches, grilled meats, or as a standalone light vegetarian option that travels well and stays crisp.
• Appetizer Elegance: Transform the salad into bite-sized portions by using small cucumber rounds as a base, topping with the tomato mixture and a sprinkle of feta for an elegant party appetizer that looks sophisticated and tastes fresh.

Storage Solutions For Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, consuming within 2-3 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Liquid Management Tip: Drain excess liquid before storing to prevent soggy vegetables and maintain crisp, fresh ingredients.
• Ingredient Separation Technique: Keep dressing separate from vegetables until ready to serve, preventing wilting and preserving the salad's vibrant crunch.
• Smart Serving Recommendation: Refresh the salad with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a quick toss before serving leftovers to revive its original zesty flavor profile.

Crisp Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

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• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Greek cucumber tomato salad combines fresh Mediterranean ingredients for a refreshing summer side dish. Crisp vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and zesty herbs create a perfect harmony of flavors you will crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup feta cheese (optional)
• ¼ cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped
• 2 large cucumbers, sliced (English or Persian cucumbers work best)
• 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps red wine vinegar (or lemon juice)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for extra flavor)
• ½ tsp garlic powder (or 1 small garlic clove, minced)
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Meticulously dice cucumbers into uniform half-moon shapes and chop tomatoes into equivalent sizes, creating a balanced textural foundation for the salad.
2. Aromatics: Transform red onion into delicate, translucent slivers that will distribute evenly and complement the vegetable medley without overwhelming the palate.
3. Dressing Composition: Whisk olive oil and red wine vinegar together, integrating Dijon mustard to develop a complex, emulsified base with remarkable depth and smooth consistency.
4. Seasoning Fusion: Infuse the liquid mixture with garlic powder, oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring comprehensive spice distribution and aromatic enhancement.
5. Final Assembly: Delicately cascade the crafted dressing over the vegetable ensemble, employing a gentle folding technique to coat ingredients without compromising their structural integrity.
6. Herbal Accents: Embellish the salad with fresh parsley or basil, introducing herbal brightness, and optional crumbled feta for a tangy, creamy dimension that elevates the overall profile.
7. Flavor Melding: Allow the salad to rest for 10-15 minutes, enabling ingredients to absorb and harmonize the dressing’s nuanced flavors, creating a cohesive and vibrant culinary experience.

Notes

• Uniform Chopping Technique: Create consistent, thin half-moon cucumber and tomato slices to ensure even dressing absorption and a visually appealing presentation.
• Onion Preparation Trick: Mince red onions finely to distribute flavor without overwhelming the salad’s delicate balance, reducing potential sharp or bitter notes.
• Dressing Emulsion Strategy: Whisk olive oil and red wine vinegar thoroughly to create a smooth, well-integrated dressing that coats vegetables evenly and enhances overall taste profile.
• Flavor Marination Hack: Let the salad rest 10-15 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to absorb dressing, intensifying the herb and spice notes for a more complex taste experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg