Let’s be honest—when summer rolls around, no one wants to hover over a hot stove. That’s where this Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad comes in. It’s the refreshing, crunchy, flavor-packed healthy side dish that saves your meal plan and your sanity. With juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and a zingy tomato cucumber vinaigrette, this salad is sunshine in a bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad

This is the salad you make when you want something bright, fast, and crowd-pleasing. It’s the ideal summer salad recipe for picnics, potlucks, and “what’s-for-dinner?” nights. You can whip it up in minutes, and it gets better as it sits. That herby vinaigrette? Liquid gold. It soaks into the veggies and transforms the simplest produce into something you’ll be sneaking forkfuls of straight from the bowl.

Ingredients

For the Salad:

5 large tomatoes, quartered (about 750 g)
1 English cucumber, peeled and sliced (about 300 g)
½ large red onion, sliced (about 75 g)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (8 g)
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (8 g)
1 pinch kosher salt + 1 pinch black pepper

For the Vinaigrette Dressing:

½ cup olive oil (120 ml)
¼ cup red wine vinegar (60 ml)
1 tsp kosher salt (5 g)
1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
½ tsp honey or brown sugar (optional) (2.5 g)
1 tsp dried oregano (1 g)

How to Make It

In a large mixing bowl, combine the quartered tomatoes, sliced cucumber, red onion, parsley, and cilantro. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper, and toss gently.
In a separate bowl or a mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and honey or brown sugar (if using) until emulsified.
Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 1–3 hours to let the flavors mingle.
Serve chilled or at room temp for the ultimate summer refreshment.

Tips for the Best Tomato Cucumber Salad

Use ripe, in-season tomatoes for maximum flavor.
English cucumbers are ideal—they’re less watery and have tender skin.
Letting the salad rest is key. The longer it sits (up to 3 hours), the better it tastes.
Try adding feta or fresh mozzarella for a creamy touch.

A Salad with Memories

This salad reminds me of my grandmother’s backyard table, filled with fresh garden produce and loud, joyful conversations. She would always make a big bowl, let it sit out while we played, and serve it with grilled chicken or just crusty bread. Now, it’s a staple in my home too. It’s nostalgic, nourishing, and just plain delicious.

What to Serve With Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad

Grilled chicken, fish, or steak
Quinoa or couscous bowls
Hummus and pita for a Mediterranean twist
As a topping for grilled bread or inside wraps

How to Store Leftovers

Cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 2 days. The salad will get juicier as it sits, so it’s great the next day! If you want to prep ahead, keep the dressing separate and mix just before serving for the freshest texture.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Just store the vinaigrette separately and toss it with the veggies an hour or two before serving.

Can I use cherry tomatoes instead?

Absolutely. Halved cherry tomatoes work beautifully and hold up well.

Can I skip the cilantro?

Of course—just add extra parsley or try fresh basil instead.

The Salad That Says Summer

Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad is a healthy side dish that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. It’s crisp, juicy, and herby in all the right ways. Whether it’s for your next BBQ or just a Tuesday night dinner, this salad proves that simple really can be sensational.

Discover more delicious recipes by following me on Facebook and Pinterest.