Discover a refreshing and healthy chopped salad recipe packed with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and zesty onions. This simple salad with cucumber, tomato, and onions tastes so good with a light vinaigrette. Wait until you try it!

Craving a refreshing, light, and incredibly easy side dish? Look no further than this classic cucumber, tomato, and onion salad!

Made with readily available summer vegetables and a simple vinaigrette, this salad is a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, fish, or can even stand on its own as a vegetarian lunch.

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An Ode to the Chopped Garden Salad

There’s a reason chopped salads, bursting with fresh ingredients from the garden, have become a lunchtime and side dish favorite. I prefer them to a salad recipe filled with lettuce, do you? Here’s what makes them so good.

Lots of Flavors: Unlike traditional salads, where you might encounter a rogue giant leaf or a lonely cherry tomato, chopped salads ensure every mouthful delivers lots of flavor and crunch with zesty textures you can’t rival.
Customization: The beauty of a chopped garden salad lies in its versatility because you can make it however you want! Think of it as a blank canvas for your garden bounty. Got leftover grilled chicken? Throw it in! Fresh herbs overflowing? Add a handful! Craving a bit of crunch? Nuts and seeds are your friends! The possibilities are endless, allowing you to create a salad that perfectly reflects your taste and what’s growing in your garden.
Healthy: Chopped salads are a nutritional powerhouse. Fresh vegetables are brimming with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, keeping you energized and satisfied. Adding protein-rich ingredients like grilled chicken or chickpeas ensures a well-rounded meal.
Quick and Easy to Prepare: Chopped salads are a lifesaver for busy weeknights. There’s no need for fancy chopping or arranging lettuce leaves. Simply throw everything in a bowl, toss with a light vinaigrette, and voila! A healthy and delicious meal is ready in minutes.
A Feast for the Eyes: Chopped salads are as visually appealing as they are delicious. The vibrant colors of fresh vegetables create a stunning presentation that’s as satisfying to behold as it is to devour.

close up of sliced cherry tomatoes on a white cutting board with sharp knife on granite countertop with basil and parsley to make easy salad with cucumber tomato onion

chopping cucumbers to make salad with tomato cucumber and onion salad

Why I Love This Salad with Cucumber, Tomato, Onion Recipe

One of the biggest reasons I love this salad recipe is the ease of the ingredients. It’s a great way to use your vegetable harvest from the garden. And they are also readily available at the market.

But note that this cucumber and tomato salad recipe tastes SO MUCH BETTER when the vegetables are in season and grown locally. While you can still make it year-round, it has much more flavor when the vegetables are in season.

Minimal ingredients are needed to make this salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions so it is easy to pull together on the fly.

This recipe is the perfect accompaniment to a summer barbecue or low-country boil. It also works well as a light lunch or snack if you are trying to shed a few pounds.

The ingredients are easy to swap out for other seasonal vegetables. And the dish is light enough to serve with a heavier main course meal.

And if I want to add a little protein to the dish? I add some mozzarella. But feta would work well too.

cucumbers growing on the vine in the vegetable garden -cucumber sandwich with cream cheese

holding fresh tomatoes from the vegetable garden -freezing tomatoes

How to Make Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad Recipe

I love a good light salad that is easy to make to serve in summer. Whether it’s for lunch or a side dish at dinner, this recipe is delicious! And the best part?

It’s a great way to use your vegetable harvest from the garden. Wait until you try this simple salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions recipe.

Ingredients

1 cucumber, chopped
1 tomato, large
1 red onion, sliced
1 bunch fresh parsley and basil
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp red wine or balsamic vinegar
¼ tsp salt
⅛ tsp pepper

Although these are my general ingredients, I also change it up by adding avocado or tossing in some fresh zucchini. But it depends on what I have on hand. I love the versatility the basic recipe affords this tasty summer side dish idea!

You can use any kind of cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions you want too. Again, I typically go with what’s in season or looks freshest at the market.

If you choose cherry or Roma tomatoes, I’d cut them into halves or quarters and mirror the sizing of the chops with the cucumbers. While some recipes do not include onions, I make it with them to get more flavor and color to the dish.

And I prefer to use purple onions to add more color in the dish, sweet onions work just as well and aren’t as strong in flavor.

I’d still slice the onions but keep the onions slices smaller so they don’t overpower the dish and make it easier to mix.

mixing the dressing for the best cucumber tomato onion salad

Directions to Make Cucumber and Tomato Salad?

Slice and chop vegetables.
Mix vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl or salad dressing mixer.
Top vegetables with fresh herbs, chopped.
Mix dressing with vegetables.
Chill in the refrigerator for two hours before serving.

Pretty much any version of cucumber and tomato salad is very quick and easy to make. Simply slice the cucumber, tomato, and onions.

In a large mixing bowl or salad dressing mixer, mix the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add sliced vegetables to the bowl and toss with the dressing. Chill for two hours before serving. It’s that easy!

I love to whip up my salad dressings in this salad dressing shaker bottle. It’s so easy to use and you can make a little extra to store in the fridge for later use.

close up of sliced onions before adding to salad with cucumber tomato onion recipe in bowl

adding fresh chopped parsley to salad with cucumber tomato onion recipe in white mixing bowl on granite countertop

drizzling dressing over salad with cucumber tomato onion salad

Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad Recipe FAQs

Is Cucumber and Tomato Salad Good for You?

The answer is YES! Cucumber and tomato salad are nutrient-rich with lots of potassium and vitamin C. And it’s also a lightweight dish that fills you up that can help with a low-fat diet.

The simplicity of the recipe is also good for you because it saves time cooking in the kitchen and you can store leftovers in the refrigerator saving you meal prep time during the week.

How Long Will Cucumber Tomato and Onion Salad Last?

This refreshing cucumber, tomato, and onion salad is a fantastic make-ahead option, but it’s important to understand how long it will stay delicious in the refrigerator. Chopped garden salads can last a few days, but it has a limit. Here’s what you need to know.

Storage is Key: The key to maximizing the shelf life of your salad lies in proper storage. Store in an airtight container to prevent air from circulating, which can cause the vegetables to wilt and brown.
The 3-Day Mark: Generally, a well-stored cucumber, tomato, and onion salad will stay fresh for 3 days in the refrigerator. The cucumbers and tomatoes might lose a bit of their crispness by then, but the overall flavor will still be enjoyable.
Understanding the Ingredients: Tomatoes tend to be the first ingredient to show signs of wear, as they can become a bit mushy after a few days. If you know you won’t be eating the salad within 3 days, consider omitting the tomatoes or adding them just before serving.
Listen to Your Leftovers: Ultimately, the best way to determine freshness is to give your salad a good look and smell. If the vegetables appear wilted, slimy, or have an off odor, it’s best to discard the salad for safety reasons.

Tips for Extending Freshness: If you’d like to enjoy your salad for a bit longer, here’s a handy tip: store the dressing separately from the chopped vegetables. This helps prevent the vegetables from becoming soggy. Just toss with the dressing right before serving!

mixing easy salad with cucumber tomato onion recipe in white mixing bowl on granite countertop

cover and chilling easy cucumber, tomato and onion salad recipe

Can you freeze a chopped garden salad?

Unfortunately, freezing your chopped garden salad is a recipe for disappointment, so I don’t recommend it. The ice crystals formed during freezing wreak havoc on the cell walls of vegetables, turning your crisp salad into a mushy mess. The flavors also take a hit, becoming muted or lost altogether. For the best experience, enjoy your chopped salad fresh and savor its vibrant colors, crisp textures, and delightful flavors.

close up of the best cucumber tomato onion salad recipe on a spoon in a clear mixing bowl

A close-up of a colorful cucumber tomato onion salad featuring chopped tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, and parsley, tossed in a dressing. The mix showcases vibrant red, green, and purple hues, highlighting the freshness of the ingredients.

Salad With Cucumber, Tomato, Onion Recipe

Stacy Ling

Looking for summer salad ideas that are light, refreshing, and easy to make? Wait until you try this simple salad with cucumber, tomato, and onion recipe.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings servings

Calories 88 kcal