The Freshest Tomato & Cucumber Salad Recipe For Summer Meals

A refreshing tomato and cucumber salad bursts with summer’s vibrant essence, promising a crisp and cooling culinary experience.

Seasonal vegetables dance together, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that tantalize the palate.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients reinvent simple produce into a delightful dish that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Light and zesty, this salad represents a perfect balance between nutrition and pleasure, offering a delectable way to enjoy fresh produce.

Each ingredient contributes its unique character, weaving a delicious narrative of color and taste.

Bright, clean flavors merge seamlessly, promising a quick and satisfying meal that celebrates simplicity and freshness.

Why Tomato & Cucumber Salad Never Gets Old

• Refresh Your Palate: This vibrant salad bursts with crisp, juicy textures that wake up your taste buds with each refreshing bite.
• Quick Summer Lifesaver: Whip up this no-cook recipe in under 10 minutes, making it the perfect solution for hot days when you want something light and delicious without heating up the kitchen.
• Healthy Mediterranean Twist: Packed with fresh vegetables and tangy feta, this salad delivers a nutrient-rich dish that captures the essence of Mediterranean eating with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Serve as a side dish, light lunch, or potluck contribution that appeals to nearly everyone, combining simple ingredients that blend beautifully without complicated preparation.

Simple Ingredients That Make a Big Impact

• Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and juicy tomatoes that add bright color and fresh burst of flavor to the salad.
• Cucumber: Crisp vegetable that provides a cool, refreshing crunch and light hydration.
• Red Onion: Sharp and zesty onion that introduces a mild bite and aromatic element.

• Oregano: Classic Mediterranean herb with earthy and slightly peppery notes that elevates the salad's overall taste.

• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances and balances the natural flavors of the vegetables.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and mild spiciness to the salad.

• Olive Oil: Rich, smooth oil that helps bind ingredients and provides a smooth, luxurious texture.
• Feta Cheese: Tangy and creamy Greek cheese that adds a salty, rich dimension to the salad.

How to Toss This Salad the Right Way

Step 1: Prepare Vegetable Medley

Slice cherry tomatoes in half, chop cucumber into bite-sized chunks, and thinly slice red onion. Finely chop fresh oregano leaves.

Step 2: Combine Vegetable Components

• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumber pieces
• Sliced red onion
• Chopped oregano

Step 3: Dress the Salad

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the vegetable mixture. Softly toss ingredients to ensure even coating and distribution of flavors.

Step 4: Season and Enhance

Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Crumble tangy feta cheese over the top for an added burst of flavor.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Note that the vegetables may release moisture over time, creating a slightly watery texture.

Tips to Keep Veggies Crisp and Flavors Bright

• Drain Excess Moisture: Pat cucumber and tomatoes dry with paper towels to prevent a watery salad.
• Slice Uniformly: Use a sharp knife to cut vegetables into consistent, bite-sized pieces for even texture and better visual appeal.
• Chill Before Serving: Let salad rest in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
• Use Fresh Herbs: Chop oregano just before adding to maximize its aromatic oils and bright flavor profile.
• Serve Quickly: Enjoy within 24 hours for the crispest vegetables and most vibrant taste, as cucumbers and tomatoes release water over time.

How to Store Leftover Salad Without Getting Soggy

• Refrigerate: Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The salad may release more liquid as it sits, which is normal.
• Drain Excess Liquid: Before serving chilled leftovers, use a slotted spoon to remove the salad, leaving behind any accumulated water to maintain the original texture.
• Quick Tip: For best taste and crunch, consume the salad within 24 hours. The cucumber and tomatoes will gradually soften and release more moisture over time.

Pairing Options for This Refreshing Veggie Mix

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the fresh, light flavors of this Mediterranean-style salad, cutting through the tangy feta and brightening the cucumber's coolness.
• Serve with Grilled Protein: Complement the salad's brightness with herb-marinated grilled chicken, lamb skewers, or fish like sea bass to create a balanced and satisfying meal that highlights the salad's zesty character.
• Match with Crusty Bread: Rustic sourdough or warm pita bread makes an excellent accompaniment, allowing diners to soak up the flavorful olive oil and catch the delicious salad ingredients, adding texture and substance to the light dish.
• Enhance with Greek-Inspired Proteins: Add a side of tzatziki, hummus, or kalamata olives to reinforce the Mediterranean profile and provide additional layers of flavor that harmonize beautifully with the tomato and cucumber base.

Fun Salad Variations to Try This Week

• Greek Garden Fusion: Add kalamata olives and swap feta for crumbled goat cheese to enhance Mediterranean flavors.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Incorporate diced jalapeños, cilantro, and replace olive oil with lime juice for a zesty kick.
• Herbed Summer Harvest: Mix in fresh basil leaves, substitute red onion with chives, and drizzle balsamic vinegar for deeper complexity.
• Protein-Packed Version: Top the salad with grilled chicken strips or chickpeas to transform it into a complete light meal.

Tomato & Cucumber Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Greek cucumber and tomato salad delivers Mediterranean freshness with crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and zesty herb dressing. Refreshing ingredients combine for a light summer side that instantly transports palates to sunny Greek islands.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
• 1 medium seedless cucumber, sliced and quartered
• ¼ red onion, diced or very thinly sliced

Herbs and Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Dairy and Oil:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 ounces (57 grams) feta cheese, crumbled

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Dice cucumber into uniform, bite-sized cubes and slice cherry tomatoes in half for consistent texture and visual appeal.
2. Thinly slice red onion into delicate, translucent rings to provide a sharp, crisp contrast to the softer vegetables.
3. Transfer prepared vegetables into a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring ample room for gentle mixing without crushing the ingredients.
4. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the vegetables, using a light, circular motion to coat each component evenly and enhance natural flavors.
5. Sprinkle dried oregano across the salad, allowing the herb’s aromatic essence to permeate the fresh produce.
6. Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences and bringing out the vegetables’ natural sweetness.
7. Crumble feta cheese generously over the top, creating pockets of tangy, creamy texture throughout the salad.
8. Gently fold ingredients together using a soft, folding motion to prevent bruising or breaking down the delicate vegetables.
9. Chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and enhance the salad’s refreshing quality.
10. Consume within 24-36 hours for optimal freshness, understanding that the salad may release moisture over time.

Notes

• Opt for crisp, ripe cherry tomatoes and firm cucumbers to ensure the best texture and flavor.
• Chop ingredients uniformly to create a balanced and visually appealing salad that’s easy to eat.
• Drain excess liquid after chopping vegetables to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
• Let the salad marinate for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together beautifully.
• Store in an airtight container and consume within 2 days for peak freshness and crunch.
• Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light lunch, perfect for warm summer days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 15mg