When I need a simple and healthy side dish, this salad is my favorite go-to. When tomatoes and cucumbers are in season, I eat it almost every day. But even other times of the year, I make it whenever I need something fresh to brighten my meal!
With just a few ingredients and a toss in a simple balsamic dressing, this salad comes together in minutes. It's the perfect side with grilled or air fried meats, but it also works for a quick light lunch.
It's perfect for all those days when you don't have the time to plan something more elaborate!
This salad takes inspiration from two others on this site. One is my Greek Cucumber Salad, with its main ingredients of cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion. And the balsamic vinaigrette dressing is reminiscent of a Caprese salad. Taking these favorite tastes and making a new salad is an easy button for sure. That's what summer is all about!
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Easy Cucumber Tomato Salad Ingredients
It's a pretty simple ingredient list, and experimenting with different combinations, etc. is easy, as I describe below.
- Cucumber (English)
- Grape Tomatoes
- Red onion
- Avocado
Easy Dressing for Cucumber and Tomato Salad
You honestly only need 2 ingredients to make this dressing, plus salt and pepper. Whisk them together and toss with your salad!
- Balsamic vinegar
- Olive oil
- Salt + pepper
How to Make Cucumber Tomato Salad
I like to mix this salad before I start the rest of the meal, waiting only to add the avocado at the end. It does great just hangin' out in the fridge for a few hours.
Start by cutting the cucumber into chunks, halving the grape tomatoes and slicing the onion. Whisk the vinegar and oil together and season with salt and pepper.
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Pour this over the veggies and toss to combine. Refrigerate while you prepare the rest of the meal.
Just before you are ready to serve, cut up the avocado and add to the salad. Toss gently, and serve.
This salad goes perfectly with all your grilled summer delights!
Cucumber Onion and Tomato Salad Recipe Variations
- Cucumber: I love English cucumbers because of their thin skin. It means I don't have to peel!! But feel free to use other cucumber varieties if you prefer.
- Tomato: I always default to grape tomatoes because they have a little extra sweetness in every bite. But cherry tomatoes are a great substitute. You could even chunk up a Roma or a slicing tomato. They are the best when in season!
- Red onion: In the world of onions, the red variety is described as "sweet." That always feels wrong to me when describing an onion. You can substitute with a white or yellow onion if desired. Just be aware that other onions can impart an extremely strong taste and could potentially overwhelm the other flavors in this salad.
- Avocado: I love the creamy texture the avocado adds to this salad. In addition to providing healthy fats, the avocado helps give a feeling of satiety, or fullness, from eating this salad. However, if you prefer to use cheese, some fresh mozzarella or feta would work well.
- Dressing: If you have a favorite way to make a balsamic vinaigrette dressing, give that a try for this salad. For even more convenience, bottled balsamic vinaigrette dressing works great. #nojudging #stillcountsashomemade
💭Did you know?
You probably know that tomatoes are actually a fruit. But did you realize that that same is true of cucumbers? Because a cucumber grows from the flower part of a plant, it is botanically considered a fruit. Which makes it just another in a long list of veggies that are actually fruits. We probably need a whole new classification system for these. Fregetables, maybe?
More summer salad recipes for you to try:
- Grape Tomato Mozzarella Salad
- Corn Tomato Avocado Salad
- Greek Cucumber Salad
- Chickpea, Carrot and Arugula Salad
More Favorites from Ovenspiration
📖 Recipe
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Cucumber Tomato Salad (Old Fashioned Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Onions in Vinegar)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 English cucumber
- 10 oz grape tomatoes
- ½ red onion medium
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil extra-virgin
- Salt and pepper - to taste
- 1 avocado large
Instructions
- Chop the cucumber into chunks, halve the tomatoes, and slice the onion. Add all to a medium bowl.
- In a cup or small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add salt and pepper and whisk again.
- Add dressing to the bowl and toss gently to distribute. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Just before serving, cut the avocado into cubes and add to the bowl. Toss gently.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Mike
Would fresh dill go well on this?
Sula
It's certainly worth a try! Go easy at first and then add to taste. 🙂
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/
I've just put avocado on my shopping list. In summer, I could survive exclusively on salads, and I'm happy to try any combination. SO glad I found this simple but filling and cooling recipe, too:))
Sula
I'm the same! Can never have too many salads, especially in summer!
Gabriela Herrera
I love the combination of cucumber with the creaminess of avocado. This dish is sure to keep me full for an entire day.
Sula
It's definitely a winning combo!
Nora
What a lovely, fresh salad! Perfect for summer! I love the addition of avocado!
Sula
The avocado really provides a nice creamy touch!
Meenakshi Thakur
Love balsamic dressings. This one looks great..such an easy and delicious salad. thanks for sharing.
Sula
Easy and delicious is perfect for summer in my book!
AISilva
You had me at avocado! Then you had me again at 10 mins. I love this delicious and simply salad. I can't wait to make this for lunch next week. Perfect light meal as the weather heats up especially! Thank you!
Sula
Thank you, I agree. Summer salads need to be light and filling at the same time, and especially great when they are easy and fast!
Scarlet
I love cucumber and tomato salad. So fresh and summery!
Sula
Me too! If I have both cucumber and tomato in a salad I am always happy with it!
veenaazmanov
Simple and best healthy Summer option. So easy and quick to make. I can have it everyday for Dinner too.
Sula
Oh, I'm the same. I can have it every day and never get tired of it!
Toni Dash
I love the combination of flavors!!
Sula
I'm so glad you like it!
Sharon
This is a wonderful salad to use up garden vegetables. Easy to make and the balsamic dressing is simple to whip up.
Sula
Exactly - so perfect for this time of year!
Safira
Lovely and goes so well with food that I love. Just had it with goats cheese. YUM
Sula
Ah, love the addition of goats cheese - yummy for sure!
Jacque Hastert
I could eat this salad daily! I used most of the ingredients right out of my personal garden which I love being able to do. I can't wait to make another bowl soon. Thank you for sharing this healthy, simple, and delicious meal.
Sula
I go in stages where I DO eat this daily LOL.