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.
Lathiya
This is an interesting combo of flavors put together in this salad. Yum.
Sula
I'm so glad you like it 🙂
Marina
Love this simply delicious salad
Sula
Thanks, me too!
Leslie
Perfect salad combination and a great way to use up those summer veggies! YUM!
Sula
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
This looks incredibly delicious. Yum!
Sula
Enjoy!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady
Omg this is going to be my go to salad this summer. It will be low in ww points and a great way to use up all our garden tomatoes!
Sula
It's amazing when tomatoes are in season! And definitely works for pretty much any diet plan!
Chef Dennis
I can't wait to make this at home! My wife will love your Balsamic Cucumber Tomato Salad.
Sula
I'm sure she will love it!
Debra
Oh hello summer, where have you been? All my faves....especially those tomatoes with balsamic!
Sula
Don't you just love tomatoes with balsamic? Heaven!
Emily Flint
This balsamic salad was so amazing and was the first thing to dissapear at my BBQ! I loved the avocado and cucumbers, so refreshing!
Sula
I'm so glad you (and your guests) enjoyed it!
Kathryn Donangelo
So simply yet delicious!! Thanks for the recipe!
Sula
You're welcome - enjoy!
andréa Janssen
I love the combination of balsamic with the tomatoes and other veggies. A delicious salad for summer times.
Sula
I agree, its simple and delicious!
Alexandra
Fresh and delicious salad - a lovely side dish.
Sula
Yes its a favorite of mine for summer!
Texasgirl
This looks delish and combines all my favs. Can’t wait to try it
Sula
Yes, delicious and easy - so perfect for summer!
Big Trouble
Ooo, this looks like an interesting combination--how delicious! You can bet I'll be bringing this to my next socially distanced BBQ! 🙂
Sula
Perfect!