Refreshing Italian-style cucumber tomato salad made with perfectly ripe and juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and basil. Enjoy this family friendly easy salad recipe all summer long!
Cucumber and Tomato Salad Recipe
This is one of the simplest summer salad recipes to put together at moments notice using a few ingredients: cucumber, grape tomatoes and basil and a homemade light dressing. It is vegan, dairy-free, paleo, Whole 30, healthy, crisp, refreshing and makes a lovely side dish. Try it with our juicy grilled hamburgers, turkey burgers, swordfish, and baked cod in foil!
Kid-friendly! Cucumber tomato salad is kid-friendly and easy for little hands to pick up the zesty flavored vegetables.
Ingredients
- grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes – half of cut into quarters. Use the most delicious and juiciest tomatoes for the best flavor as the dish depends almost exclusively on this one ingredient.
- English cucumber – leave the skin on or cut off the cucumber skin then cut into cubes.
- red or orange bell peppers – remove the core and stem and cut into thin dices. This adds a dash of beautiful sweetness that compliments fresh tomatoes and basil leaves.
- chopped fresh basil leaves
- lime juice or red wine vinegar
- extra virgin olive oil
- pink Himalayan salt
- black pepper
- (optional to add ¼ cup of diced red onion which is not shown in the pictures)
How to make fresh tomato cucumber 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 and you can also add red onion slivers or diced. 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, vinegar or lime juice, 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 prefer it without).
What are the best tomatoes
The best tomatoes to use in tomato and cucumber salads are small tomatoes like 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 ½-inch cubes. Make sure the tomatoes are at the season’s best and super sweet to taste.
How to store grape tomatoes and cherry tomatoes
Small grape tomatoes and cherry 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cucumber tomato salad is a fresh salad that is low in calories and incredibly healthy for you with loads of health benefits. 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 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.
Yes you can mix cucumbers and tomatoes together. They are excellent for salads, ceviche, and a veggie sandwich as they add natural sweetness, crunch, and nutritional value to meals.
This cucumber and tomato salad contains tomatoes, cucumbers, basil leaves, sweet bell peppers, olive oil, vinegar or lime juice, salt and pepper. In addition you can also add mint or dill, avocado slices, and red onion slices.
Cucumbers and tomatoes are low calorie foods made mostly of water and are high in fiber. Fiber supports the body to flush out toxins and makes the body feel full for longer, so snacking on them is an excellent choice when trying to lose weight.
More recipes with tomatoes and cucumbers
You also may enjoy
- Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
- Gluten-Free Strawberry Crisp
- Cilantro Pesto – beautiful on top of this salad as well.
- Healthy Chocolate Granola Recipe With Cherries and Pecans
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Cucumber Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
- 1 cucumber large and cut into cubes, with or without the skin
- ¼ cup red or orange bell peppers diced
- 2 tablespoons basil chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice or 1-2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
- dash of black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the prepared tomato halves, cucumber chunks, diced peppers, chopped basil, lime juice (or red wine vinegar), olive oil, salt and pepper. Gently mix to combine. In addition you can also add ¼ cup diced red onions. Serve right away or within 2 hours for the best texture.
Notes
- You can serve this salad right away or let the salad set covered in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes first to bring out the best flavors.
- You can also add red onion slices and avocados to this cucumber tomato recipe.
- 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.
Nutrition
Meals bring a nostalgia moment to most of us. 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 sweet summer memories with it!
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Karly says
I love this combination! Great salad!