If you’re looking for a quick, refreshing, and healthy side dish, this Mediterranean-inspired cucumber and tomato salad is the answer. Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and fresh herbs come together with a tangy vinaigrette for a dish that works with almost any meal. Whether you’re enjoying it as a summer side, a light lunch, or packing it for your kids’ school lunches, this salad is simple, versatile, and always delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Cucumber & Tomato Salad Recipe
For some reason, I always seem to make this cucumber and tomato salad in the summer, even though I keep the ingredients on hand year-round. Maybe it’s because it just feels like the perfect summer side dish. It's light, refreshing, and full of flavor. What I love most about this recipe is how customizable it is. You can make it with parsley, basil, or cilantro depending on what’s in your garden, add feta or keep it dairy-free, switch up the vinegar, or even toss in some crunchy croutons. The opportunities are endless, and every version is just as good as the last. This is a great dish to bring to a gathering of family or friends.
Recipes Similar to Cucumber and Tomato Salad & What to Serve With It
If you love this Mediterranean cucumber and tomato salad, you’ll definitely enjoy these other fresh and simple recipes. They’re light, flavorful, and perfect for pairing with almost any meal. I’ve also included a few dishes that go perfectly alongside this salad so you can build a complete lunch or dinner menu.
- Pico De Gallo - I can't get over how much EVERYONE loves this recipe. This is the perfect after school snack.
- Chicken Piccata - this salad would be a perfect side for this chicken dish.
- Baked Chicken Pasta- If you are looking for a main dish that is as easy to make as this cucumber tomato salad, look no further. Doesn't get much easier than this!
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Cucumber & Tomato Salad Recipe
- Recipes Similar to Cucumber and Tomato Salad & What to Serve With It
- Ingredients for Cucumber and Tomato Salad
- Quick Steps for Tomato & Cucumber Salad
- Substitutions for Tomato and Cucumber Salad Ingredients
- Variations on Middle Eastern Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Equipment Needed to Make Mediterranean Cucumber Salad
- How to Store Cucumber & Tomato Salad
- Recipe Hint: Make Ahead Cucumber and Tomato Salad
- FAQs About Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
- What to Make with this Cucumber Tomato Salad?
- Soups & Salads
Ingredients for Cucumber and Tomato Salad
You only need a few fresh, simple ingredients to make this salad:
- Cucumbers – large dice for crunch
- Tomatoes – sliced or large dice for juiciness
- Red onion – thinly sliced for sharp flavor
- Fresh parsley – chopped (or basil/cilantro as alternatives)
- Olive oil – the base of the dressing
- Red wine vinegar – for tang (or balsamic for sweetness)
- Garlic powder – subtle flavor boost
- Salt & black pepper – to taste
- Optional: feta cheese, dried oregano, sumac, crushed red pepper, croutons
See recipe card for quantities.
Quick Steps for Tomato & Cucumber Salad
Making this cucumber & tomato salad couldn’t be easier:
- Step 1: Chop the cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, and parsley.
- Step 2: Add olive oil, vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Step 3: Toss vegetables with dressing until coated.
- Step 4: Add feta or croutons if desired, then serve or chill.
Substitutions for Tomato and Cucumber Salad Ingredients
If you don’t have everything on hand, here are some easy swaps:
- Red wine vinegar → balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice.
- Parsley → basil, cilantro, or dill.
- Red onion → green onion or shallots.
- Garlic powder → fresh minced garlic.
Variations on Middle Eastern Tomato Cucumber Salad
This salad is endlessly customizable! Try these ideas:
- Herbs: Swap parsley for basil or cilantro.
- Cheese: Add crumbled feta, fresh mozzarella, or leave it dairy-free.
- Dressing: Use balsamic vinegar for a sweeter touch.
- Protein: Add chickpeas, white beans, or grilled chicken for a full meal.
- Bread: Toss in croutons or homemade toasted bread cubes for crunch.
Equipment Needed to Make Mediterranean Cucumber Salad
- Sharp knife & cutting board
- Large mixing bowl
- Small bowl for dressing
- Whisk or fork for mixing
How to Store Cucumber & Tomato Salad
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The tomatoes will release liquid over time, so you may want to drain a little before serving again or refresh with an extra splash of vinegar and olive oil.
Recipe Hint: Make Ahead Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Make this salad 30 minutes ahead of time and refrigerate. The flavors get even better as they sit together!
FAQs About Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Yes! It’s best eaten fresh but will hold well in the fridge for about 2 days.
Absolutely. English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers (my favorite), cherry tomatoes, or heirloom tomatoes all work.
It’s inspired by both — a simple tomato cucumber salad is common in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines.
What to Make with this Cucumber Tomato Salad?
Looking for something to pair with the salad? Try these:
Soups & Salads
Looking for other salads to try or even a new soup recipe?
Easy Mediterranean Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Equipment
- Knife
- cutting board
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers diced
- 3 tomatoes diced or sliced
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- ¼ cup parsley chopped
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar or balsamic
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: feta cheese dried oregano, sumac, croutons
Instructions
- Dice cucumbers and tomatoes. Slice onion and chop parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Toss vegetables with dressing in a large bowl.
- Add feta or croutons if desired. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes.
Notes
- Tomatoes: Use the ripest tomatoes you can find for the best flavor. Cherry or grape tomatoes are great if you want a sweeter bite.
- Cucumbers: English or Persian cucumbers work best since they’re less watery, but regular cucumbers are fine too (just peel if the skin is tough).
- Herbs: Parsley is classic, but basil or cilantro give the salad a whole new twist. Fresh dill also works beautifully.
- Dressing: Red wine vinegar adds tang, while balsamic gives a sweeter depth of flavor. You can even use lemon juice for extra freshness.
- Cheese: If you’re adding feta, crumble it in right before serving so it stays firm and doesn’t melt into the dressing.
- Make Ahead: If making in advance, store the dressing separately and toss right before serving to avoid soggy veggies.
- Lunchbox Tip: Pack this salad in a leakproof container for kids’ lunches. Keep croutons or bread cubes on the side so they stay crunchy.
- Serving Ideas: This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, salmon, or alongside Mediterranean dishes like hummus and pita.
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