This fresh and vibrant tomato cucumber salad is summer in a bowl! Featuring garden-fresh vegetables, aromatic basil, and a light vinaigrette, it’s the perfect side dish that takes just minutes to prepare. My mom used to make this all summer long when I was growing up, and now it’s become a staple in my own kitchen – especially during peak tomato season!
Why You’ll Love This Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Ready in just 10 minutes – no cooking required!
- Uses simple, fresh ingredients you might have in your garden
- Perfectly crisp and refreshing for hot summer days
- Naturally healthy and light – but packed with flavor
- Incredibly versatile – pairs with almost any main dish
- No fancy equipment needed – just a knife and cutting board
- Make-ahead friendly (I’ll share my prep secrets below!)
You know those recipes that instantly transport you back to childhood? This is definitely one of them for me! Every summer when my grandpa’s garden was overflowing with fresh vegetables, my mom would make this simple salad that somehow managed to taste like pure sunshine. The secret? It’s all about using the freshest ingredients possible!
While you can certainly make this salad year-round (and I do!), it’s absolute perfection during peak tomato season when those cherry tomatoes are sweet as candy. I love using English cucumbers for their crisp texture and thin skin – no peeling required! And don’t skip the fresh basil – it adds that gorgeous aromatic touch that makes this salad completely irresistible.
Baker’s Tip: If you’re prepping this ahead for a party or BBQ, keep the cut vegetables separate and wait to add the dressing until just before serving. This keeps everything crisp and prevents the cucumbers from releasing too much water!
Key Ingredients for Tomato Cucumber Salad
Let me walk you through exactly what you’ll need to make this garden-fresh salad sing! Each ingredient plays a special role in creating that perfect balance of flavors and textures I remember from my childhood summers.
- Cherry Tomatoes: These little jewels are the star of our show! I prefer cherry tomatoes for their natural sweetness and perfect bite-size shape when halved. During peak season, they’re like nature’s candy. If you can get them fresh from the garden or farmer’s market, even better!
- English or Mini Cucumbers: These varieties are my go-to because of their thin, tender skin and minimal seeds. The crisp texture creates that perfect contrast with our juicy tomatoes. Persian cucumbers work beautifully too – they’re essentially mini versions of English cucumbers.
- Red Onion: Just a touch of finely diced red onion adds a sharp, zesty bite that really wakes up the other flavors. The key is slicing it super thin – we want it to complement, not overpower.
- Fresh Basil: This isn’t just a garnish! Fresh basil adds that wonderful aromatic element that makes this salad truly special. In summer, I grab it straight from my herb garden, but store-bought works perfectly too.
- Simple Dressing Components: Quality extra virgin olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar create the perfect light coating. Trust me, with fresh ingredients this good, you don’t need anything fancy!
Success Tips for Perfect Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Pick the right tomatoes: If cherry tomatoes aren’t available, any ripe, fresh tomatoes will work – just cut them into bite-sized pieces. The key is choosing tomatoes that are firm but give slightly when pressed.
- Master your cutting technique: Cut your cucumbers into coins about ¼-inch thick – any thinner and they’ll become watery, any thicker and they’ll overwhelm the other ingredients. For cherry tomatoes, slice them in half through the equator rather than top to bottom.
- Perfect your assembly timing: While this salad comes together in minutes, timing matters! Wait to add the dressing until just before serving to keep everything crisp. If prepping ahead, store your cut vegetables separately in the fridge.
Baker’s Tip: For the crispest cucumber slices, cut them right before serving. If you need to prep ahead, store them in a paper towel-lined container in the fridge – this helps absorb any excess moisture and keeps them perfectly crunchy!
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making The Perfect Tomato Cucumber Salad
Let me walk you through exactly how to make this refreshing summer salad – it’s truly as simple as can be! I’ve made this countless times and have perfected the method for getting those perfectly crisp vegetables and balanced flavors.
Basic Assembly Steps:
- Prep Your Vegetables:
– Halve cherry tomatoes through their equator
– Slice cucumbers into ¼-inch coins
– Finely dice red onion
– Chiffonade fresh basil leaves - Layer in Bowl:
– Add tomatoes and cucumbers to a large bowl
– Sprinkle with diced red onion - Dress & Season:
– Drizzle with olive oil and red wine vinegar
– Season with salt and pepper to taste
– Toss gently to combine
– Garnish with fresh basil
Baker’s Tip: When tossing the salad, use a gentle hand! We want to coat everything evenly without bruising those beautiful tomatoes.
Creative Ways to Serve & Vary Your Salad
While this salad is perfectly delicious on its own, I love getting creative with different variations. Here are some of my favorite ways to mix things up:
Tasty Add-ins:
- Cheese Options:
– Crumbled feta adds a salty tang
– Fresh mozzarella pearls for creaminess
– Shaved parmesan for richness - Extra Vegetables:
– Diced bell peppers for crunch
– Sliced radishes for peppery bite
– Sweet corn kernels in summer - Protein Additions:
– Chickpeas for a heartier salad
– Diced grilled chicken
– Tuna or salmon for an omega-3 boost
Serving Suggestions:
This versatile salad pairs beautifully with:
- Grilled meats and fish
- Sandwiches and wraps
- Mediterranean-style meals
- As a light lunch with crusty bread
Baker’s Secret: For a fun party presentation, try serving individual portions in small mason jars or on skewers as a passed appetizer. The colors are absolutely gorgeous!
FAQs & Final Thoughts
Let me answer some common questions about this fresh and vibrant summer salad that I get asked all the time!
Yes! While I prefer English or mini cucumbers for their thinner skin and smaller seeds, regular cucumbers work just fine. If using regular cucumbers, you might want to peel them first since their skin can be a bit tougher. Just slice them the same way – into ¼-inch coins.
For the freshest taste and best texture, I recommend preparing the components up to 4 hours ahead but keeping them separate. Store cut vegetables in sealed containers in the fridge, then combine and dress just before serving. This prevents the cucumbers from releasing excess water and keeps everything crisp!
While red wine vinegar is my favorite, you can swap it for white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even fresh lemon juice. Each will bring its own subtle flavor variation while maintaining that perfect tangy balance.
Final Thoughts
You know what makes me smile? Seeing this colorful salad on my summer table, knowing it’s packed with memories of my grandpa’s garden and my mom’s kitchen. It’s amazing how something so simple can bring such joy!
I’d absolutely love to hear about your experience making this salad! Maybe you’ll add your own special twist or serve it at your next backyard BBQ. Don’t forget to leave a rating and comment below – it helps other home cooks find this recipe too!
Baker’s Tip: Save this recipe to your favorite summer sides collection – trust me, you’ll want to make it again and again! And if you’re looking for more fresh and easy recipes, check out my other summer salads. Happy cooking, friends! 💚
Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad
Equipment
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 5 mini cucumbers sliced into 1/4” coins, or 1 1/2 English cucumbers
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons red onions diced
- 2 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves chopped
Instructions
- Add cherry tomatoes and cucumbers to a bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil and vinegar on top. Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss everything to coat. Garnish with diced red onion and fresh basil.
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