Crisp cucumbers and juicy tomatoes shine in this refreshing Mediterranean cucumber and tomato salad, tossed with a zesty lemon-parsley vinaigrette. It’s the perfect summer side dish, especially with my Antelope Kofta, Mediterranean Rice Bowls, or Pronghorn Gyros!
Recipe Highlights
Fresh & Crisp: Refreshing, light, and packed with flavor.
Customizable: Add your favorite toppings like feta, olives, or chickpeas.
Simple & Quick: Easy to prepare in just a few minutes.
Ingredients
- Cucumbers: I prefer the flavor of English cucumbers over standard varieties, and Persian cucumbers are another great option. Both have a lower water content, making them ideal for salads.
- Tomatoes: I like to use campari tomatoes for this salad but you can use your favorite variety. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, roma tomatoes, etc. will all work!
- Dressing: I like to use a simple dressing of extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice. You can substitute red wine vinegar or your favorite vinaigrette for an extra acidic kick. You'll also love the Greek dressing in my Greek steak salad recipe!
See recipe card for quantities.
Equipment
Recommended
Mesh Strainer
Tossing the diced tomatoes in a mesh strainer helps remove excess juices which keeps the salad from getting soggy.
Instructions
Cucumbers and tomatoes both contain a lot of water naturally. Thus, treating them correctly is important to ensure your salad isn't watery. Scooping out the seeds of the cucumber before dicing helps decrease the water content and leaves you with the most flavorful part of the cucumber.
- Step 1: Cut cucumber in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.
- Step 2: Dice into ½" pieces and place into a medium bowl.
- Step 3: Dice tomato into ½" pieces. Put diced tomato into mesh strainer and shake out excess liquid. Add tomatoes to the bowl with the cucumbers.
- Step 4: Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Step 5: Add chopped parsley to the bowl. Pour dressing over vegetables and stir gently until well coated.
- Step 6: Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors marinate.
Variations
This simple cucumber salad is the perfect base for a variety of salad recipes. See below for a few ideas on how to switch it up!
- Red Onion: Adds a sharp, slightly sweet bite that balances the freshness of cucumbers and tomatoes.
- Feta Cheese: Brings a creamy, salty contrast that enhances the salad’s Mediterranean flavors.
- Kalamata Olives: Provide a briny, umami depth that pairs well with the lemon vinaigrette.
- Chickpeas: Add heartiness and protein, making the salad more filling.
- Fresh Herbs: In addition to fresh parsley, fresh mint, basil, oregano, or dill can add a fragrant, bright freshness to the dish.
- Vegetables: A variety of fresh vegetables can be great additions to this Mediterranean cucumber salad. Bell peppers, radishes, and zucchini are all great options!
Storage
This cucumber tomato salad can last up to 2-3 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. The fresh ingredients may become slightly wilted over time, so it's best enjoyed within the first couple of days for optimal flavor and crunch.
Serving Suggestions
This refreshing Mediterranean salad recipe pairs perfectly with grilled meats like antelope kofta or lamb kebabs with homemade flatbread. It also complements Mediterranean rice bowls, spicy Indian butter pheasant, or grilled venison backstrap beautifully, providing a crisp, vibrant side.
This salad is a versatile addition to any summer spread, balancing out richer dishes with its refreshing and zesty flavors. Give my Greek steak salad a try next!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can prepare it a day in advance, but it's best to add the dressing only an hour or two before serving for optimal freshness.
Absolutely! You can try a balsamic vinaigrette or even homemade honey mustard dressing for something different!
Removing the seeds can help keep cucumbers from getting soggy. You can also use English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers, which have less water content and tend to stay firmer in salads.
Related Recipes
Looking for more fresh salad recipes? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with cucumber tomato salad:
Did you try this recipe?
Let us know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing it on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Thank you!
Annie
📖 Recipe
Mediterranean Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- 1 English cucumber
- 5-6 ripe Campari tomatoes
- 2 tablespoon Italian parsley, finely chopped
- ½ garlic clove, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon honey
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cut cucumber in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Dice into ½" pieces.
- Dice tomato into ½" pieces. Put diced tomato into mesh strainer and shake out excess liquid.
- Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Add chopped parsley to the bowl. Pour dressing over vegetables and stir gently until well coated. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors marinate.
Notes
- I prefer the flavor of English cucumbers over standard varieties, and Persian cucumbers are another great option. Both have a lower water content, making them ideal for salads.
- I like to use campari tomatoes for this salad but you can use your favorite variety. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, roma tomatoes, etc. will all work!
- I like to use a simple dressing of extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice. You can substitute red wine vinegar or your favorite vinaigrette for an extra acidic kick.
- Tossing the diced tomatoes in a mesh strainer helps remove excess juices which keeps the salad from getting soggy.
Comments
No Comments