Cucumber, Tomato & Onion Salad
A fresh, vibrant, and simple Cucumber, Tomato & Onion Salad combining crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and mild red onions, tossed in a zesty dressing of olive oil and lemon juice or vinegar. Perfect as a quick side or light meal, this healthy salad offers a refreshing burst of flavor and texture in under 10 minutes.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
Vegetables
- 2 firm, fresh cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 3 ripe, juicy tomatoes, chopped into bite-sized chunks
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice or vinegar (such as white wine or apple cider)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- Fresh herbs (parsley, dill, or basil), chopped, for garnish
- Feta cheese, crumbled (for variation)
- Kalamata olives (for variation)
- Avocado slices (for variation)
- Red chili flakes or diced jalapeños (for spicy variation)
- Prepare Your Vegetables: Wash the cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions thoroughly. Slice the cucumbers thinly for maximum crunch, chop the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces, and thinly slice the red onions to balance sharpness with sweetness.
- Combine Ingredients in a Bowl: Place the sliced cucumbers, chopped tomatoes, and sliced onions into a large mixing bowl to allow for easy tossing and coating with dressing.
- Add Dressing: Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice or vinegar over the vegetables. Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss gently to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Fresh Herbs and Final Touches: Chop your preferred fresh herbs such as parsley or dill and sprinkle them over the salad for added aroma and freshness.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for 10 to 15 minutes to let the flavors meld together. Serve chilled for the best taste experience.
Notes
- Use ripe tomatoes for balanced sweetness against the onion’s sharpness and the dressing’s acidity.
- Salt cucumbers lightly and let them sit for a few minutes to draw out excess water and keep the salad crisp.
- Soak thinly sliced onions briefly in cold water to reduce sharpness if desired.
- Add dressing just before serving to maintain freshness and crunch.
- Customize herbs based on flavor preference, from basil’s sweetness to dill’s grassy notes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- Freezing is not recommended as it alters the texture and makes the salad watery.
- Best enjoyed cold or at room temperature; reheating wilts vegetables and compromises texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: cucumber salad, tomato salad, onion salad, fresh salad, Mediterranean salad, vegan salad, gluten free salad, quick salad, healthy salad