Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad

Easy Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad Recipe

If you’re looking for the perfect fresh summer side dish, this Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad is hard to beat. Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion are tossed in a simple homemade vinaigrette made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh herbs, and just a touch of honey.

This is one of those recipes that doesn’t need anything fancy. Whether you’re picking vegetables from your backyard garden or grabbing them at the grocery store, this easy salad comes together in minutes and tastes even better after it has had a chance to chill in the refrigerator.

I served it alongside my Baked Chicken Leg Quarters and Sprite Biscuits, and it made the perfect summer dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready with just a handful of fresh ingredients.
• The dressing is easy to customize based on what you have.
• Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, BBQs, and family dinners.
• Tastes even better after it chills for a bit.
• Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this fresh cucumber tomato onion salad.

For the Salad

• 2 cucumbers
• 3 medium tomatoes
• ½ red onion

For the Dressing

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Honey
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh basil
• Fresh mint

Fresh garden vegetables are absolutely incredible in this recipe, especially during the summer months. If you don’t have a garden, don’t worry! Store-bought cucumbers and tomatoes work too.

Step-by-Step Instructions

*printable recipe card is available at the bottom of this page

Step One: Prepare the Vegetables

I like to peel my cucumbers but leave a few thin strips of peel behind. It gives the salad a little extra color without leaving too much skin.

If you’re using English cucumbers or mini cucumbers, you can skip peeling them altogether since their skins are nice and tender.

Cut the tomatoes into bite-sized wedges.

For the onion, I used my rotary grater to get super thin slices without all the tears. It makes quick work of onions and gives you perfectly even slices every time.

Place all of the vegetables into a large mixing bowl while you make the dressing.

Step Two: Make the Homemade Dressing

The dressing couldn’t be easier.

Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, chopped basil, and chopped mint to a mason jar. Secure the lid and give it a good shake until everything is well combined.

One of my favorite things about this dressing is how easy it is to customize.

Don’t have fresh basil and mint? Leave them out or substitute whatever herbs you have on hand. Fresh parsley, dill, oregano, or even a little chives would all be delicious.

You can also adjust the dressing to your own taste. Like a little more tang? Add another splash of vinegar. Want it slightly sweeter? Stir in another drizzle of honey. Recipes like this are very forgiving, so don’t be afraid to make it your own.

Step Three: Toss Everything Together

Pour the dressing over the vegetables and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.

Once everything is mixed together, I like to transfer the salad to a clean serving bowl. Then I pour all of the flavorful juices that collected in the bottom of the mixing bowl right over the top. Don’t let those juices go to waste—they’re packed with flavor.

Step Four: Chill Before Serving

Pop the salad into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.

That little bit of time allows the tomatoes to release some of their juices and gives the cucumbers and onions a chance to soak up all of that delicious dressing.

If you’re making it farther in advance, simply cover it and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

What to Serve with Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad

This salad pairs well with just about anything coming off the grill or out of the oven.

I served ours with my Baked Chicken Leg Quarters and Sprite Biscuits, and it made the perfect easy summer meal.

This Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad pairs well with just about anything! Here are a few of my favorite recipes to serve alongside it:

Chicken Favorites

• BBQ Chicken Dinner
• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
• Almond Cursted Chicken
• Stuffed Chicken
• Salsa Verde Chicken Bake

Seafood Favorites

• Chili Lime Cod
• Easy Oven Baked Salmon
• Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

Cookout Favorites

• Baby Back Ribs
• Cheeseburger Sliders
• Southern Potato Salad
• Easy Baked Beans
• Pork Tenderloin Medallions

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

As the salad sits, the tomatoes will continue to release juices into the dressing, making it even more flavorful. Just give everything a quick stir before serving again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to peel the cucumbers?

No. If you’re using English cucumbers or mini cucumbers, the skins are thin and tender, so peeling isn’t necessary. For regular cucumbers, I like to peel most of the skin but leave a few strips behind for color.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, it tastes even better after it chills for about 30 minutes. If you’re making it several hours ahead, cover it and keep it refrigerated until serving.

Can I use dried herbs?

Absolutely. Fresh herbs add the brightest flavor, but if that’s what you have, dried basil or dried oregano work well too. You can even leave the herbs out altogether and still end up with a delicious cucumber tomato onion salad.

What kind of tomatoes work best?

Any ripe tomatoes will work. Garden tomatoes are my favorite when they’re in season, but Roma, vine-ripened, or tomatoes on the vine from the grocery store are all great options.