This Cucumber and Tomato Salad is super simple and packed with flavor. Fresh summer tomatoes are full of sweetness and color. Toss them with a simple dressing to really take it over the top. {gluten free, keto, whole30, vegan}
This delicious keto cucumber tomato salad recipe is the most refreshing salad! Loaded with the freshest ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers tossed in a tangy vinaigrette, it's the perfect side dish for those too-hot summer days when you can't be bothered to turn on the oven.
Plus, this tasty salad recipe comes together in mere moments of effort. If you can slice some veggies and stir some fresh ingredients together, you can make this tomato-cucumber salad. This simple salad makes a great side dish for grilled meats and will become a regular part of your summer dinner rotation.
Ingredients for Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Cherry tomatoes: The best tomatoes are fresh from the farmer's market or your garden.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced for a spicy crunch.
- Fresh cucumbers: I like to use thinly sliced English cucumbers as they are a seedless variety and stay firm longer.
- Dressing ingredients: Avocado oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley
How to Make Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Slice up the tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion as thinly as you can. I used a mandoline for my cucumbers.
- Whisk your dressing together in a small bowl and pour over your vegetables. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired.
- Pour over veggies and serve.
This simple Cucumber and Tomato Salad is easy and refreshing, but it's also good for you.
Health Benefits of Tomatoes
- excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, and antioxidants
- contains the plant compound lycopene
- loaded with potassium
- 1.2 grams of fiber in one tomato
- low net carbs, perfect for the keto diet
How to Get More Tomatoes In Your Diet
- add juicy tomatoes to your salads
- eat pasta with tomato sauce
- add sliced tomatoes to sandwiches and wraps
- add diced tomatoes to chili and soups
- eat fresh or store-bought salsa
- use sun-dried tomatoes when cooking
- add them to your breakfast quiche cups
With salads like this, it's easy to eat Clean over the summer!
Substitutions and Variations
- Substitute the cherry tomatoes for grape tomatoes, sliced Roma tomatoes, or even giant heirloom tomatoes fresh from the garden.
- Feel free to add some sliced bell peppers, kalamata olives, or even feta cheese for a Mediterranean cucumber salad.
- If you are in a hurry, use a favorite dressing - I like Primal Kitchen Balsamic or Italian. These are great to have in the pantry and can be used in so many ways! Make sure the dressing is keto approved if needed.
- Swap out the balsamic for rice wine vinegar and the avocado oil in the dressing for extra virgin olive oil.
Helpful Tips
- To choose a crisp cucumber every time, check the ends of the cucumber. If they are firm to the touch and there aren't soft spots on the cucumber, it's fresh. If it's dimpled at the ends, it's already starting to soften.
- This cucumber tomato onion salad has the best flavor after resting for a few hours. This allows the dressing to soak into each piece and draw out the taste of the fresh veggies.
Leftovers and Storage
This cucumber tomato salad will last a couple of days in the fridge in an airtight container but will become slimy and mushy afterward. Fortunately, it's easy to make a fresh batch with just a few simple ingredients.
FAQ
- Is eating cucumber and tomato salad healthy? This recipe is loaded with the freshest produce tossed with a simple, nourishing dressing. This is a very healthy recipe and would make a great addition to your menu every week of the summer.
- Do you leave skin on cucumber for salad? The answer to this question depends on the type of cucumber you're using. Tender, bitterless cucumbers like English cucumbers or those little Persian cucumbers are delicious without being peeled. If you're using other types of cucumbers, try a piece. If the skin tastes bitter to you at all, peel it away.
Serving Suggestions
This simple cucumber tomato salad is a delicious side dish on a hot day. Summer salads are the best because the fresh produce is so vibrant this time of year. I love grilling chicken and serving it with simple, fresh salads like this Cucumber and Tomato Salad. It'd also be great with Chicken Sausage Skewers or Grilled Steak Tacos. Add in some homemade ice cream, and you've got a party.
Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- 2 cups thinly sliced English cucumber, I used a mandoline
Dressing:
- 3 tablespoon avocado oil (or olive)
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes, cucumbers and onions. I used a mandoline to slice the cucumbers and it really makes them taste better!
- Whisk the dressing ingredients and taste. Add salt and pepper if necessary.
- Pour over veggies and serve.
Tell Us What You Think