Description
This refreshing cucumber tomato salad combines crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and sliced onions tossed in a sweet and tangy vinaigrette. Easy to prepare and perfect for warm weather, this salad offers vibrant flavors and make-ahead convenience, making it an ideal side dish for everything from BBQ to picnic sandwiches.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup distilled white vinegar
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
Salad
- 3 cucumbers, peeled and sliced ¼-inch thick
- 3 tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 1 onion, sliced and separated into rings
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients. Assemble all the required ingredients including water, vinegar, oil, sugar, salt, pepper, cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion.
- Prepare Dressing. In a large bowl, whisk together water, distilled white vinegar, vegetable oil, white sugar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients. Add the peeled and sliced cucumbers, tomato wedges, and onion rings into the bowl with the dressing. Stir gently to thoroughly coat the vegetables with the vinaigrette.
- Marinate. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and enhance the salad’s taste.
- Serve. After marinating, give the salad a final stir and serve chilled as a crisp and flavorful side dish.
Notes
- Use firm, fresh cucumbers with smooth skins for best texture.
- Choose the ripest and tastiest tomatoes you can find; heirloom tomatoes work excellently but cherry or Roma tomatoes are good alternatives.
- Any type of onion can be used; red onions add color and spice while sweet onions offer milder flavor.
- Other vinegars such as apple cider, white wine, or Champagne vinegar can substitute distilled white vinegar to vary the flavor.
- Vegetable oil provides a neutral flavor, but high-quality olive oil can be used for a richer taste.
- This salad can be prepared ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days; flavors improve as it marinates but cucumbers may lose crispness over time.
- Pair this salad with grilled meats, BBQ dishes, picnic sandwiches, or pasta salads for a well-rounded meal.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cucumber tomato salad, fresh salad, vinaigrette, summer salad, easy side dish, make-ahead salad, picnic recipe, refreshing salad