The Weeknight MVP: Your Go-To Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad

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!

Tired of complicated side dishes? Meet your new weeknight MVP: the Simple Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad. This recipe cuts straight to deliciousness, offering a refreshing, healthy, and unbelievably easy option for any meal. What makes this chopped salad so special?

It’s all about fresh, in-season vegetables – especially when sourced locally here in New Jersey. You get maximum flavor and crunch in every bite, plus the flexibility to customize it with your favorite additions. Enjoy a tasty, quick-to-prepare garden-fresh salad that perfectly complements grilled dishes or stands alone as a light, satisfying lunch.

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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. Here’s what you need.

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

Tips for Customizing Your Salad

This Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad is super versatile! While the core recipe is fantastic, don’t hesitate to customize it with what you have on hand or what’s in season.

For instance, feel free to add avocado or fresh zucchini for an extra twist. When it comes to the main ingredients, any type of cucumber, tomato, or onion works great. Just remember, the salad truly shines when you use fresh, in-season produce from your local market.

If you opt for cherry or Roma tomatoes, simply halve or quarter them to match the size of your chopped cucumbers. And while some recipes skip the onions, I always include them! They add essential flavor and lots of color. I usually reach for purple onions for a beautiful hue, but sweet onions are an excellent choice if you prefer a milder taste.

No matter the onion type, I recommend slicing them thinly to ensure they blend seamlessly into the dish without overpowering it, making every bite easy to enjoy.

Directions to Make Your Simple Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad

This refreshing salad comes together in just a few easy steps:

1. Prepare Vegetables: Slice and chop your cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions as desired (refer to the “Tips for Customizing Your Salad” section for sizing suggestions).
2. Make the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl or a salad dressing mixer, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine or balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Combine & Chill: Add the prepared vegetables to the bowl with the dressing. Top with your fresh, chopped herbs (parsley and basil are perfect!). Gently toss everything together to ensure the vegetables are evenly coated.
4. Serve: For the best flavor, chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

It’s truly that quick and easy to create this delicious, vibrant side dish! As an aside, 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.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad is the ultimate companion to a wide variety of meals, particularly during the warmer months here in New Jersey!

• BBQ & Grilling: It’s a natural fit for summer cookouts. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, steak, fish, or your favorite veggie burgers.
• Southern Charm: Perfect with a low-country boil or any classic Southern comfort food.
• Light Lunch: Enjoy it on its own for a refreshing and healthy vegetarian lunch. You can easily add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or a sprinkle of feta or mozzarella to make it a more complete meal.
• Picnics & Potlucks: Its vibrant colors and refreshing taste make it a crowd-pleaser for any gathering. Since it holds up well, it’s an excellent choice for transporting.
• Brunch Side: A light and zesty addition to a hearty brunch spread.

Prep Ahead & Storage Information

This salad is fantastic for making ahead, as the flavors actually deepen with a little chill time!

• Not Freezer Friendly: Due to the high water content of cucumbers and tomatoes, this salad does not freeze well. Freezing and thawing will result in a mushy texture. It’s best enjoyed fresh from the fridge!
• Prep Ahead: You can prepare this salad up to 2-3 days in advance. In fact, chilling it for a few hours (as per directions) or even overnight allows the vegetables to marinate in the vinaigrette, intensifying the flavors.
• Storage: Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days.

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!

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.
• Can I add protein to this salad? Yes, definitely! This salad is incredibly versatile. For a more substantial meal, feel free to add cooked and cooled grilled chicken, chickpeas, crumbled feta, fresh mozzarella balls, or even a hard-boiled egg.
• What’s the best type of vinegar to use? While our recipe calls for red wine or balsamic vinegar, both work beautifully! Red wine vinegar offers a sharper, brighter zest, while balsamic provides a slightly sweeter, richer depth. Choose based on your personal preference or what you have on hand.
• Can I make this salad ahead for a party? Yes, it’s perfect for making ahead! In fact, chilling the salad for at least two hours or even overnight allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it an ideal dish to prepare in advance for gatherings and potlucks.

Final Thoughts About Making a Salad with Cucumber, Tomatoes and Onions

This Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad truly is a testament to the power of simple, fresh ingredients. For me, there’s nothing quite like using the vibrant vegetables harvested straight from my own New Jersey garden – because, as we all know, fresh is always best! That peak-season flavor from locally grown produce makes all the difference.

But the beauty of this recipe is that its deliciousness isn’t limited to summer. Even when your garden isn’t overflowing, if you can source high-quality, flavorful ingredients year-round, you’ll still enjoy a refreshing and satisfying salad that brings a burst of sunshine to any meal. Give it a try, and let this simple, vibrant dish become a staple in your kitchen!

How do you like to prepare a chopped garden salad? Are there any special ingredients you like to add? Let’s chat more about it in the comments below.

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Enjoy your day! xo