Classic Cucumber Tomato Salad with Herby Vinaigrette

Cucumber Tomato Salad My GoTo salad side dishes

By Sally ThompsonSeptember 16, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction

Craving a Salad Side Dish?

Fancy something fresh? Do you need some salad side dishes to liven up your meal? This cucumber and tomato salad will blow your socks off! Honestly, it is the perfect blend of crunchy, juicy, and zingy.

A Classic with a Twist

This Mediterranean salad recipe hails from simple, home style cooking. It is ready in like 15 minutes! The recipe serves 6, making it perfect for a family dinner or a small gathering with friends.

Why You'll Love This Salad

This fresh vegetable salad is packed with vitamins. It is absolutely perfect alongside grilled food. What makes it special? The herby vinaigrette . It takes a simple salad to the next level.

Getting Started: The Ingredients

Alright, let's get this party started! To make this killer cucumber tomato salad , you'll need: cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh parsley, and fresh dill.

For the vinaigrette, grab extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Honestly, nothing fancy!

The Vinaigrette: The Heart of the Dish

The herby vinaigrette is where the magic happens. It's a simple mix of olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon, garlic, and oregano.

Whisk it all together. Don't be shy with the herbs! They add a crazy amount of flavor. This is one of the best easy salad recipes you could ever try.

Making the Salad: step-by-step

First, chop your veggies. Then, whisk together the vinaigrette. Toss everything together. Easy peasy! For the best flavor, chill the salad for about 30 minutes before serving.

This allows the flavors to meld. The result is a lip-smacking quick side salad , perfect for any occasion. This tomato salad with red onion will be the talk of the table! Also consider this awesome salad for grilling .

Tips and Tricks

Want a creamy twist? Try adding feta. It adds saltiness. Make sure to seed your cucumbers to keep your salad from becoming watery.

If you love salads, keep this in mind for future simple salad ideas .

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get Ready to Rumble!

Alright, let's get this party started! Before we dive into the herby goodness of our cucumber tomato salad , we need to gather our troops.

Trust me, even the simplest salad side dishes need a bit of planning. Don't worry, it's easier than putting on socks.

Main Ingredients: The Stars of the Show

Cucumbers: 2 large (about 400g ), peeled, seeded, and sliced. Look for firm, dark green cucumbers. Avoid the squishy ones.
Cherry Tomatoes: 2 pints (about 1 kg ), halved. The sweeter, the better. Roma tomatoes also work.
Red Onion: 1 small (about 100g ), thinly sliced. If you're not a fan of the strong taste, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes .
Fresh Parsley: 1/4 cup ( 15g ), chopped. Flat leaf parsley is my fave.
Fresh Dill: 1/4 cup ( 15g ), chopped. Adds a little something extra!

Seasoning Notes: Amp Up the Flavour!

This herby vinaigrette is where the magic happens!

Olive Oil: 1/4 cup ( 60ml ). Go for extra virgin. It makes a difference.
Red Wine Vinegar: 3 tablespoons ( 45ml ). Adds a tangy kick.
Dijon Mustard: 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ). Adds a bit of oomph .
Garlic: 1 clove, minced. Because everything is better with garlic, right?
Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon .
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon .
Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon .

Need a sub? White wine vinegar works well if you're out of red. For a Mediterranean salad recipe , add a pinch of dried mint!

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple, Stupid!

You don't need fancy gadgets for easy salad recipes !

A big bowl. For mixing, obviously.
A smaller bowl or jar. For the vinaigrette.
A whisk or fork. To mix the dressing.
A cutting board and knife. Unless you're Bear Grylls.
Optional: A salad spinner to dry the herbs

Honestly, this fresh vegetable salad is so simple to make, it's almost embarrassing. Perfect for those hot summer salad side dishes ! Its perfect salad for grilling in any quick side salad .

The tomato salad with red onion and herby vinaigrette are what makes it special. So, what are you waiting for? You only need a few simple salad ideas to start.

Cooking Method: Salad Side Dishes

Alright, let's get this party started! We're talking salad side dishes . Not just any old salad, but the kind that steals the show.

Today, it’s all about the classic cucumber and tomato salad the ultimate fresh, vibrant, and easy side that's perfect for any occasion.

Honestly, this is one of my go-to easy salad recipes , especially in the summer. It's just so refreshing.

Prep Steps: Your Mise en Place Mission!

First things first: the mise en place . That’s fancy chef talk for getting everything prepped and ready to go. This is super easy! Grab your cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and fresh herbs.

Also, safety reminder: Always use a clean cutting board and a sharp knife! Nobody wants a trip to A&E. For time saving , chop your veggies while the vinaigrette ingredients sit out.

This lets the flavors of the mustard, garlic, and herbs in the herby vinaigrette really bloom.

step-by-step Salad Bliss

Peel, seed, and slice two large cucumbers .
Halve two pints of cherry tomatoes .
Thinly slice one small red onion .
Chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley and dill .
Whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil , 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar , 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard , 1 minced garlic clove , 1 teaspoon oregano , 1/2 teaspoon salt , and 1/4 teaspoon pepper .
Combine the cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, parsley , and dill in a large bowl.
Pour the herby vinaigrette over your fresh vegetable salad .
Toss gently.

Pro Tips for a Top-Notch Tomato Salad with Red Onion

To avoid a watery disaster, always remove the cucumber seeds! Common mistake number one avoided. For a Mediterranean salad recipe kick, add Kalamata olives and feta.

And here’s a make-ahead option : Prep all your salad side dishes ingredients, store separately, and mix just before serving.

Honestly, this salad is the perfect salad for grilling or a light lunch.

Enjoy your quick side salad !

Recipe Notes: Salad Side Dishes Edition!

Alright, let's dive into a few extra bits and bobs to make your Classic Cucumber & Tomato Salad even better.

Based on personal experience, these tips can be real game changers. Think of this section as your little cheat sheet for salad side dishes success!

Serving Suggestions: Making it Look Good!

First impressions matter, right? Plating this fresh vegetable salad is easy. Pile it high in a nice bowl. Garnish with extra dill or parsley.

For a fancier touch, try individual portions in small ramekins. Serve alongside grilled halloumi. A crisp glass of white wine works wonders too! This quick side salad is amazing with almost anything.

Storage Tips: Keeping it Fresh

Honestly, this cucumber tomato salad is best eaten fresh. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

The cucumbers might release some water. I would not recommend freezing it. It’ll get way too mushy. Reheat. Just kidding.

Don’t reheat a salad. It is one of the easy salad recipes to get a handle on!.

Variations: Shake It Up!

Want to mix things up a bit? For a dairy-free version, just skip the feta (if you added it). It’s still fab! Seasonally, consider swapping regular tomatoes for heirloom varieties when they're in season.

The flavour is unreal! You can swap the red wine vinegar for lemon or lime!

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

This Mediterranean salad recipe is packed with goodness. It's low in calories and a good source of vitamins. Cucumbers hydrate you.

Tomatoes are full of antioxidants. It's basically a superfood salad for grilling in disguise! This vibrant tomato salad with red onion brings something special to the table.

So there you have it. Everything you need to know to nail this recipe and impress your friends. Don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own! I know that it is one of those summer salad side dishes that will get a place in your recipe book!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these salad side dishes ahead of time? I'm a bit of a stressed out mum during the week!

Absolutely! You can prepare the cucumber and tomato salad a few hours in advance. Just hold off on adding the vinaigrette until just before serving to prevent the salad from getting soggy.

This is especially important if you're planning on making a big batch, like for a summer BBQ where everyone's expecting a bit of "Pimms O'Clock".

What's the best way to store leftover cucumber and tomato salad? I always seem to end up with mush!

To avoid the dreaded mushy salad, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Try to drain any excess liquid before storing, and it's best consumed within 1-2 days. Think of it like that wilting supermarket lettuce we've all encountered; best used sooner rather than later!

I'm trying to eat healthier. What are the nutritional benefits of these salad side dishes and are there ways to make the recipe even healthier?

This cucumber and tomato salad is naturally low in calories and a good source of vitamins and minerals. You can boost the nutritional value by adding other veggies like bell peppers or even some chickpeas for added protein.

Also consider using a lighter vinaigrette or reducing the amount of oil to cut down on fat content, a simple swap that’d make even Mary Berry proud!

I'm not a fan of red onion. What can I substitute in these salad side dishes to avoid crying while chopping?

No worries, red onion can be a bit strong for some! You can easily substitute it with a milder white onion, shallots, or even thinly sliced green onions. For an even gentler flavour, soak the sliced onion in cold water for about 10 minutes before adding it to the salad a trick straight from Grandma's kitchen!

How can I adapt this recipe to make it a more substantial salad side dish? My partner says it's "rabbit food"!

To make it more filling, consider adding protein like grilled chicken, chickpeas, or feta cheese. You could also incorporate some grains like quinoa or farro for added texture and substance. Think of it as giving your rabbit food a "Full English Breakfast" upgrade; more satisfying and packed with goodness!

My vinaigrette always seems to separate. Any tips for keeping it emulsified?

Separation anxiety is a common vinaigrette problem! The key is to emulsify the ingredients properly. Whisk the vinaigrette vigorously or shake it in a jar until it thickens. Adding Dijon mustard also helps to stabilize the emulsion, kind of like adding that stabiliser to your Sunday roast gravy.