Refreshing Italian-style cucumber tomato salad seasoned with a sprinkle of lime, pink salt and fresh basil leaves. Enjoy this easy salad recipe all summer long!
One of my most favorable salads to make is this cucumber tomato salad because it so easy and quick! Not to mention it is beyond flavorful and refreshing and caters to most diets. It is gluten-free, vegan, Whole30, Paleo and Keto friendly? made with 3 simple main ingredients: cucumber, grape tomatoes and basil!
Summertime has us relishing fresh plump red tomatoes on a daily basis. The kids and I love mini red grape tomatoes (aka sugar plum tomatoes) as snacks throughout the day. They are not quite as large as cherry tomatoes, so I feel safer the kids will not choke on them. This salad is kid-friendly and easy for little hands to pick up the zesty flavored vegetables.
If you have about 10 minutes in the kitchen then you have plenty of time to toss together this easy cucumber tomato salad!
What Are The Best Tomatoes
The best tomatoes to use in this salad recipe are grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes. They are bursting with juicy sweet flavor! Grape tomatoes are smaller with an oval shape and cherry tomatoes are rounder and larger. Just make sure to chop the ingredients of cucumbers to about the same size as the tomatoes for the best consistency. Tomatoes should be bright in color, hard and firm (not wrinkly). If you are making this on a whim and do not have grape tomatoes on-hand. Roma or plum tomatoes work diced into 1/2-inch cubes.
How To Store Grape Tomatoes
Grape tomatoes are best when stored at room temperature out of direct sunlight and eaten in the first 3 days (although they last up to 5 days). They can also be stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag or paper bag.
How To Make A Cucumber Tomato Salad
Prepare the cucumbers by slicing off the ends. Slice the cucumber into strips then small chunks and add them to a large bowl. Next, prepare the tomatoes by slicing them in half and add them to the bowl with the cucumbers.
I like to add a few dices of colorful bell peppers into the mix for extra contrast and flavor. Finely dice 2 mini red or orange bell peppers and add it to the bowl. Rip basil into small pieces or chop it and add 2 Tablespoons with the rest of the ingredients. Drizzle olive oil and add salt and pepper and blend all the ingredients together.
You can serve it right away or let the salad set covered in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes first to bring out the best flavors. Additional ingredients that can also be added are red onion slices and avocados (I left out the onions because my kiddos will not touch it if they spot them in their salad?).
Health Benefits of Tomatoes and Cucumbers
Grape tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins A and C. Vitamin A helps vision and promotes healthy skin and bones. Vitamin C helps to strengthen the immunity and heal the body. Tomatoes are high in fiber and contain lots of water, both which aids to support the digestive system. They also contain lycopene which is an essential antioxidant.
Cucumbers are also high in fiber and contain lots of water which promotes hydration. Fiber and water helps to flush out toxins, support the digestive tract and alleviates swelling (think about putting chilled ones to decrease puffy eyes!). They also contain antioxidants and help to regulate blood sugar.
Most meals bring a nostalgia moment for me. This cucumber tomato salad comes from a fond summertime family memory with my grandparents. My grandmother used to make it every summer on our beach vacations served with a side of crunchy fresh corn on the cob and chicken or steak. I hope you take this recipe and create your own summer memories with it?!
More cucumber and tomato salad recipes you might enjoy:
- Cucumber Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad from Spend With Pennies
- Avocado Tomato Salad from Delish
- Chickpea Corn Tomato Salad
- Dill Pesto Cucumber Noodle Bowl
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 large cucumber, cut into cubes
- 2 mini orange or red sweet bell peppers, diced
- 2 Tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 1 lime (juice of)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon Himalayan salt
- pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- In a large bowl, add the tomato halves, cucumber chunks, diced peppers, chopped basil, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Gently mix to combine.
*Additional ingredients that can also be added are red onion slices and avocados.
*To soften the lime and get more juice from it, roll it on a counter top with your hands a few times first before cutting it in half and squeezing out the juice.
I love this combination! Great salad!