Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad
This cucumber tomato onion salad is a colorful and tangy side dish for your summer meals. The cucumbers, tomatoes and onions complement each other’s flavor. The vinegar dressing adds a sweet and sour tang to the salad.
I like to serve this with grilled chicken, burgers, ribs, pulled pork, brisket, smoked beef, or grilled salmon. The prep is easy and fast. Once the vinegar dressing goes on the salad, it needs about 30 minutes to chill.
| Servings | Prep Time | Chill Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 servings | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 45 minutes |
Table of Contents
Quick Answer Box
►What it is: Cucumber tomato onion salad is a simple summer side dish made with fresh fruits and a tangy vinegar dressing.
►Why you’ll love it: It is cold, crisp, inexpensive, and easy to make ahead for cookouts, potlucks, and weeknight dinners.
►How to make it: Slice cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion, whisk together a vinegar dressing, toss everything together, and chill before serving.
Ingredient Highlights
Cucumbers: Use garden cucumbers or English cucumbers. English cucumbers have a thin skin and fewer seeds, so you don’t need to peel them. Garden cucumbers are better peeled. I like to only partially peel them in wide strips down the side. This makes them more tender and looks great in the salad. If your garden cucumber has a lot of seeds, use a spoon to scoop some of them out.
Tomatoes: Use grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, or Roma tomatoes. Garden tomatoes work but have many seeds and a more watery interior. After cutting the tomatoes, put them in a colander to drain the liquids.
Onions: White or red onions work best. White onions have a sweet, mild flavor. Red onions have the mildest flavor. Yellow onions have the deepest flavor and aren’t the best choice. A sweet onions have a sweeter flavor and tend to get lost in this salad.
Vinegar: White vinegar gives this salad an old-fashioned flavor. Apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar works if you want a sweeter flavor.
Sugar: A small amount of sugar balances the tang of the vinegar. You can use more or less depending on how tangy you like the dressing.
Variations
- Make it sweeter: Add another teaspoon or two of sugar for a classic vinegar and sugar cucumber salad flavor.
- Make it tangier: Use red wine vinegar and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Add cheese: Stir in crumbled feta right before serving.
- Add black olives. Stir in halved olives for a Mediterranean flair.
How To Make Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad
- Cut the cucumbers into thin rounds. Cut them into have circles or quarters if you want smaller pieces. Add them to a large bowl.
- Cut the tomatoes into bite-size pieces. For grape or cherry tomatoes this is usually just in half. Add the tomatoes to the cucumbers.
- Thinly slice the onion and halve or chop it. Add the onions to the cucumbers and tomatoes.
- In a small bowl or salad dressing shaker, whisk together the oil, vinegar and sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture, tossing gently.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Stir before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped dill, if desired.
Top Tips
- Cut the cuucumbers and tomatoes into similar sizes.
- Do not skip the chilling time.
- Use a slotted spoon for serving if the tomatoes and cucumbers release a lot of juice.
- If using herbs, add them right before serving.
- This salad is best the same day but keeps for up to 2 days.
What To Serve With Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad
This salad is made for simple summer dinners. Serve it with grilled chicken, burgers, ribs, pulled pork, salmon, fish tacos, pork chops, or steak.
It also works well with picnic food because it doesn’t contain mayo. Keep it cold until serving, especially on hot days.
FAQs
Can I make cucumber tomato onion salad ahead of time?
I would not make it ahead because the texture changes substantially. Cucumber tomato onion salad is best served the same day.
How do I keep cucumber tomato salad from getting watery?
Use firm cucumbers, drain very juicy tomatoes, and serve the salad with a slotted spoon.
What vinegar is best for cucumber tomato onion salad?
White vinegar gives a classic flavor. Red wine vinegar tastes a little smoother, and apple cider vinegar adds mild sweetness.
Can I make this salad without sugar?
Yes. Leave it out if you like a sharper dressing, or replace it with a small amount of honey or apple cider vinegar.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- 2 lbs cucumbers, coarsely chopped about 6 cups
- 1 lb tomatoes, halved or chopped about 1 cup
- ¾ onion, sliced or chopped about 3/4 cup
- 6 tablespoons grapeseed oil or other neutral oil
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh dill, chopped optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the cucumbers, tomatoes and onions.
- In a small bowl or salad dressing shaker, thoroughly combine the oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture and stir.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Serve garnished with dill, if desired.
