Marinated Cucumber Tomato And Onion Salad Recipe

I recently whipped up a vibrant Cucumber Onion Salad that bursts with summer freshness. Thinly sliced cucumber mingles with ripe tomatoes and crisp red onions, all dressed in extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar with a hint of sweetness. This salad is my go-to for those bright, fast, refreshing meals.

I’ve been experimenting with a Marinated Cucumber Tomato And Onion Salad that is perfect for those hot summer days. I first thinly sliced one medium cucumber and a small red onion then, I chopped 2-3 ripe tomatoes into bite size pieces.

In a bowl, I mixed the vegetables with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar. I added salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar if you like that extra hint of sweetness.

I sometimes toss in a few roughly torn basil or mint leaves for a fresh twist. This salad is all about celebrating the natural flavors of the ingredients.

It combines the zing of marinated cucumbers and the refreshing taste of marinated tomatoes in a way that makes any summer feast or BBQ party a bit more special. Give it a try and enjoy the crisp flavors that make it one of my best salad recipes.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because it’s super quick to make, and I can trust that I’ll have a tasty side dish in about 5 minutes. I also like how fresh and crisp the mix of cucumber, tomato, and onion tastes when they’re all tossed together with a simple dressing. The way the olive oil and red wine vinegar blend with the veggies gives it a perfect tang that totally wakes up my appetite. Lastly, adding in fresh basil or mint lets me change up the flavor and keeps things interesting, which makes it a go-to for my summer meals.

Ingredients

• Cucumber: A crisp, hydrating vegetable rich in fibre that aids digestion and delivers crunch.
• Tomatoes: Juicy, vitamin-packed fruit bursting with antioxidants, tangy flavor, and vivid color appeal.
• Red Onion: A zesty, sharp addition that offers beneficial antioxidants and gives a satisfying crunch.
• Olive Oil: Nutritious, heart-healthy oil that elevates taste, helps vitamin absorption and provides smooth texture.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Offers a tangy zest that balances flavors and brightens up this salad.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance natural flavors and tie the salad together perfectly.
• Basil or Mint: Fresh herbs lending aromatic notes, subtle sweetness, and a lively finishing touch.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
• 2-3 ripe tomatoes, chopped into bite size pieces
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A pinch of sugar (optional, for a little sweetness)
• A few fresh basil or mint leaves, roughly torn (optional)

How to Make this

1. Start by thinly slicing the medium cucumber and red onion, then chopping the tomatoes into bite-size pieces.

2. In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, tomatoes and red onion.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and if you want a bit of sweetness, add a pinch of sugar.

4. Pour the dressing over the vegetables in the large bowl.

5. Gently toss everything together to make sure the veggies are evenly coated.

6. If you’re using fresh basil or mint, roughly tear the leaves and add them in.

7. Let the salad marinate for about 5 minutes to let the flavors mix well.

8. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, then serve and enjoy your fresh summer side dish!

Equipment Needed

1. Sharp knife
2. Cutting board
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Small bowl
5. Whisk
6. Measuring spoons and/or small cups for oil, vinegar, salt, and sugar
7. A spoon or spatula for tossing the salad

Hope this list helps you get everything prepped for the recipe!

FAQ

Marinated Cucumber Tomato And Onion Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of a medium cucumber, you can use a zucchini for a slightly different crunch
• If you dont have ripe tomatoes, try using grape tomatoes or even cherry tomatoes cut in half
• A small red onion can be swapped with a sweet onion or white onion if red ones are too strong for your taste
• If you are out of red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar works fine as a replacement
• For extra virgin olive oil, a light vegetable oil could be used, though it might change the flavor a bit

Pro Tips

1. Try to cut all the veggies into roughly the same size so they soak up the dressing evenly and each bite is balanced. If you got a mandoline, use it carefully to get really uniform slices, but watch out for your fingers.

2. I would let the salad chill in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes if you have time. It really helps the flavors blend together better and makes the cucumber extra crisp.

3. If you dont have basil or mint, you can use a sprinkle of dried herbs but use less since they are more potent. The fresh ones always gives it that burst of flavor, though.

4. When tossing the salad with the dressing, be gentle. Overmixing can bruise the tomatoes and basil making the salad kinda mushy. Enjoy and adjust the seasoning to your taste while you’re at it.