Oh, summer! It’s that time of year when all I want is sunshine, good company, and food that’s as easy to make as it is to devour. You know, the kind of meal that doesn’t keep you stuck in a hot kitchen forever? That’s where my Refreshing Tomato Cucumber Salad Perfect Summer Dish comes in. Seriously, this salad is my go-to when I need something bright, light, and bursting with flavor in a flash. It’s so simple, but trust me, it tastes like it took way more effort than it actually does!
Why You’ll Love This Refreshing Tomato Cucumber Salad Perfect Summer Dish
Okay, so why is this my absolute favorite go-to summer side? Let me tell you!
- It’s Ridiculously Easy: Seriously, if you can chop veggies, you can make this salad. No fancy techniques here!
- Super Speedy: I’m talking 15 minutes, tops! Perfect for when unexpected guests pop over or when you’re craving something fresh *right now*.
- Bursting with Flavor: The combination of juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, sharp onion, and zesty dressing just screams summer. It’s so refreshing!
- So Versatile: This salad is happy alongside grilled chicken, fish, or even just with some crusty bread. It fits in anywhere!
Gather Your Ingredients for Refreshing Tomato Cucumber Salad
Alright, let’s get our fresh ingredients ready for this amazing salad! The beauty of this recipe is that you probably have most of this stuff in your fridge or pantry already. You’ll need:
- 2 large tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the tomatoes and cucumber, I like to chop them into bite-sized pieces – not too big, not too small. And for the onion? Thin slices are key so you get that nice little bite without it being overwhelming. Fresh parsley makes ALL the difference here, so try to use fresh if you can!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Perfect Summer Dish
Okay, let’s get this simple, gorgeous salad made! It’s honestly one of the fastest things you can whip up, and it tastes like sunshine in a bowl. I love making this when I just want to toss something together without a fuss.
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Toss the Veggies: Grab your biggest mixing bowl. Add your chopped tomatoes, the peeled and seeded cucumber (trust me on de-seeding, it stops it from getting watery!), and those thinly sliced red onions. Give it a gentle stir just to get everything acquainted.
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Whip Up the Dressing: In a little separate bowl – or even a jar if you want to shake it up! – whisk together the good olive oil and the red wine vinegar. I like to whisk until they’re nicely combined. It’s a bit like making a mini version of a dressing for a gourmet salad, but way simpler and perfect for this.
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Dress It Up: Pour that lovely dressing right over your tomatoes and cucumbers. Make sure everything gets a nice coating. It’s starting to smell amazing already, right?
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Add the Freshness: Now, sprinkle in that chopped fresh parsley. Toss everything gently again. You want to coat all the veggies without mashing them up. This is where the bright green really makes the salad pop!
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Season to Perfection: This is the crucial bit! Taste it. Does it need a little more salt? A crack of black pepper? Adjust it until it tastes just right to you. Me? I usually add a bit more pepper than I think I need because I love that little kick.
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Serve or Chill: You can totally serve this salad right away while everything is super crisp and fresh. Or, if you want the flavors to meld together just a bit more, pop it in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes. It’s also fantastic for a potluck, just like a good zesty pasta salad!
Tips for the Best Refreshing Tomato Cucumber Salad
I’ve made this salad so many times, and over the years, I’ve picked up a few little tricks that just make it *extra* special. Here are my go-to tips for making this summer dish shine!
Pick the Freshest Produce You Can Find
This salad is so simple, it really relies on the quality of your ingredients. Whenever possible, grab the ripest, juiciest tomatoes you can find – heirloom varieties are amazing if you see them! Same goes for the cucumber; a nice firm one will give you that satisfying crunch. Don’t skimp on the fresh parsley either; dried just doesn’t bring the same vibrant, fresh flavor. It really makes your salad taste like it came from a fancy garden buffet!
Don’t Skip the Chill Time (if you can wait!)
I know I said you can eat it right away, and you absolutely can! But if you have just a little bit of patience, letting the salad chill in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes before serving makes a world of difference. It allows all those lovely flavors to get to know each other properly. It mellows the onion just a bit and makes everything taste super crisp and cool. It’s like the difference between good and *great*, almost like a beautifully prepared Cucumber Feta Salad!
Taste and Adjust Your Seasoning
This might sound obvious, but honestly, tasting and adjusting the salt and pepper is the secret weapon for any simple salad. Your tomatoes might be sweeter one day than another, or maybe your cucumber is extra watery. Play around with it! A little more salt can really make all the flavors pop, and a good grind of black pepper adds just the right amount of bite. Don’t be afraid to give it a little tweak until it’s perfect for *your* taste buds.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Summer Salad
This salad is so straightforward, but sometimes people tweak things or wonder about substitutions, and that’s totally okay! Let’s chat about a couple of the ingredients and what works if need be.
About the Red Onion
Red onion brings a nice little zesty bite and gorgeous color to this salad, right? But I know some folks find raw onion a bit strong. If that’s you, no worries! You can soak your sliced red onion in a bowl of ice water for about 10-15 minutes before draining it really well. It takes away a lot of that sharp bite while keeping the crunch and color. Some people even use shallots here, which are a little milder too, but I love that classic red onion punch!
Olive Oil & Red Wine Vinegar
For the dressing, I always reach for a good quality olive oil. Extra virgin is my preference because it adds a lovely fruity note that you just don’t get from lighter oils. As for the red wine vinegar, it’s got a nice tang that really wakes everything up. If you don’t have any red wine vinegar on hand, apple cider vinegar works well as a substitute. You could even use fresh lemon juice in a pinch – it gives it a different kind of brightness, but it’s still super delicious and refreshing!
Serving Suggestions for Your Perfect Summer Dish
This tomato cucumber salad is like a little ray of sunshine on a plate, and it just fits in *everywhere* during the warm months! It’s the perfect sidekick for anything you toss on the grill. Imagine it next to some smoky, irresistible BBQ chicken – pure summer bliss! Or maybe some quick and easy grilled shrimp? Oh yes, please!
It’s also fantastic with a hearty steak, like something from these memorial day steak recipes. Honestly, if you’re having a picnic, a barbecue, or even just a simple weeknight dinner, this salad just brightens everything up. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Leftover tomato cucumber salad is best stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Because it has a light dressing and fresh veggies, it’s really best eaten within a day or two before things get a little too soft. I wouldn’t really “reheat” it, just give it a good stir before serving again, nice and cool!
Frequently Asked Questions about Tomato Cucumber Salad
Got questions about this super easy, super refreshing salad? I’ve got you covered! It’s one of those dishes that inspires a few queries because it’s so simple, yet so perfect.
Can I make this tomato cucumber salad ahead of time?
You totally can! I usually suggest serving it fresh or chilling it for about 30 minutes for the best texture. However, if you need to make it a few hours ahead for a picnic or party, it’ll still be good. Just know that the longer it sits, the softer the veggies might get. I’d say it’s best eaten within a day or so for peak crispness. It’s a great make-ahead side, just like a tasty pasta salad!
My tomatoes are making the salad watery. What did I do wrong?
Don’t worry, this happens! Tomatoes can release a lot of liquid. For this specific recipe, peeling and seeding the cucumber really helps. For the tomatoes, if yours are super juicy, you could try scooping out some of the seeds and watery pulp before chopping them. Also, avoid letting the salad sit dressed for too long if you want to keep it crisp. If you want to avoid watery salads altogether, try focusing on firmer, less ripe tomatoes or even cherry tomatoes which tend to be less seedy.
What other vegetables can I add to this salad?
Oh, this salad is a fantastic base for adding more goodies! Bell peppers, especially red or yellow ones, add a lovely crunch and sweetness. Some finely chopped celery would be great too, or even some sweet corn kernels if you’re feeling it. For a bit of a kick, a little finely diced jalapeño is amazing! It’s so flexible, sort of like how you can jazz up a cucumber feta salad.
Can I make the dressing creamier or richer?
Absolutely! If you’re looking for something a little richer or creamier, you can totally do that. A tablespoon or two of Greek yogurt or even a dollop of sour cream whisked into the dressing can add a lovely tang and creaminess. Some folks like to add a bit of crumbled feta cheese or even some olives – both are fantastic additions that bring a salty, savory punch! It all depends on what you love!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this salad is just an estimate, ya know? It can totally change depending on the exact ingredients you use – like the brand of olive oil or how big your tomatoes are. But, as a general idea, a serving of this delicious Refreshing Tomato Cucumber Salad clocks in somewhere around:
- Calories: About 100
- Fat: Around 8g (mostly good fats from olive oil!)
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 7g
- Protein: About 1g
It’s super low in sodium and cholesterol, which makes it a fantastic, guilt-free addition to any meal!
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Refreshing Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and refreshing salad perfect for summer meals.
Ingredients
- 2 large tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and red wine vinegar.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture.
- Add the chopped parsley and toss gently to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or chill for later.
Notes
- For a creamier salad, you can add a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Add feta cheese or olives for extra flavor.
- This salad pairs well with grilled meats or fish.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of salad
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: tomato cucumber salad, summer salad, refreshing salad, easy salad, side dish, vegetarian salad