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🥒🍅 This Zesty Cucumber Tomato Salad is the perfect summer side dish. Fresh, crisp, and full of tangy flavor – Make it ahead and serve cold!
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There’s nothing like a fresh cucumber tomato salad in the summer. This easy and flavorful side dish brings back childhood memories of picking ripe vegetables straight from the garden and tossing them together with a simple vinegar dressing.
Whether you call it a cucumber & tomato salad, a zesty cucumber salad, or a tomato cucumber tomato salad, this dish is perfect for cookouts, picnics, or weeknight dinners.
The secret to this cucumber tomato salad recipe is the sweet and tangy dressing paired with fresh dill. It’s a classic recipe that gets better the longer it sits, making it ideal for make-ahead meals.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with simple pantry and garden ingredients
- Light, fresh, and flavorful
- Great for meal prep and summer entertaining
- Easy to customize with what you have on hand
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- cucumbers – use English cucumbers or regular garden cucumbers
- cherry tomatoes – grape tomatoes or any vine-ripened tomatoes work
- red onion – if you’re not a fan of onions, simply leave them out or substitute with a milder option like green onions, or swap with white or sweet onion if desired
- celery seed
- salt
- fresh dill – dried dill weed can be used in a pinch
- white distilled vinegar – you can also try apple cider vinegar for a slightly different flavor
- water
- granulated sugar
✨ Variations
- Add sliced radishes or bell peppers for extra crunch
- Use heirloom tomatoes for a colorful twist
- Add a pinch of black pepper or garlic for a flavor boost
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🔥 Tips
- Fresh dill gives the best flavor, but dried dill will work in a pinch
- Let the salad chill at least 4-6 hours, but it’s even better after a day or two
- Stir the salad 2-3 times a day to keep everything well-coated and fresh
❓ FAQs
It stays fresh for up to 7 days when stored in a refrigerator in an airtight container. For the best texture, enjoy it within 3 to 4 days.
Absolutely! This zesty cucumber salad tastes even better after a day or two in the fridge.
Yes, you can adjust the sugar to taste. Keep in mind that it helps balance the acidity of the vinegar, so reducing too much may make the dressing too sharp.
You can, but it’s not necessary. The vinegar-based dressing works well on its own. If you prefer a smoother dressing, whisk in a tablespoon of olive oil.
Over time, the cucumbers may lose some crunch. For the best texture, enjoy the salad within a few days and stir it a few times each day.
Not necessarily. English cucumbers have a thin, mild skin and don’t need peeling. If using regular cucumbers with tougher skin, peeling is a good idea.
Sure! Crumbled feta or mozzarella pearls would be a great addition if you want to bulk it up.
Yes, it can! To make this a low-carb or keto-friendly cucumber tomato salad, reduce or omit the sugar in the dressing and use a sugar substitute like erythritol, monk fruit, or allulose. Everything else in the recipe fits well within a low-carb or keto lifestyle.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Zesty Cucumber Tomato Salad
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Equipment
- knife or mandoline
- mixing bowl (large)
- small saucepan
- airtight container or plastic wrap for bowl (for storing salad)
Ingredients
- 6 cups English cucumbers – sliced thinly
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 ½ cups red onion , sliced thinly
- 1 tablespoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill , chopped finely
- 1 cup white distilled vinegar
- ½ cup water
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Slice vegetables and place in large bowl.
- Sprinkle celery seed, salt, and dill over the top.
- In a small saucepan add vinegar, water and sugar. Stirring continuously, bring to boil and cook until sugar is completely dissolved, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour the vinegar mixture over vegetables and stir until well combined.
- Place salad in a large airtight container, cover and seal.
- Place in the refrigerator. Chill at least 4-6 hours before serving – the longer the better.
- Serve cold.
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- Best enjoyed within 3-4 days for optimal crunch and flavor.
♨️ REHEATING
- No reheating needed. This salad is best served cold straight from the fridge.
❄️ FREEZING
- Freezing is not recommended. The cucumbers and tomatoes will lose their texture and become mushy when thawed.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Use fresh dill for the best flavor, but dried dill is a suitable alternative in a pinch.
- Stir 2-3 times a day while chilling to keep everything evenly coated.
- Chill at least 4-6 hours before serving. It’s even better after 24 hours.
- Peel the cucumbers if the skin is tough or bitter.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- None needed. This is a no-cook, cold salad recipe.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Serve leftover salad with grilled meats.
- Toss with greens for a quick salad.
- Enjoy as a side with sandwiches and wraps.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Looks so fresh and good! Pinned