A classic cold refreshing salad that takes advantage of a few pantry staples, and commonly found fresh produce. This Balsamic Tomato Cucumber Salad can be made very quickly indoors or outdoors. With endless variations you can customize this to your tastes very easily in less than 30 minutes!
Why this works
- Cool and refreshing - makes the perfect side to some delicious ribs during those hot summer months!
- Quick and easy - comes together in under 30 minutes, and once you've taken care of slicing up the veggies it's so easy the kids can help out to finish!
- Budget friendly - low cost ingredients with produce that won't break the bank but still satisfy your guests! Serve this with a Grilled Ham Steak for a complete meal.
- Pantry staples - the dressing is made with pantry staples that you should have at home or at the camp site.
Ingredients you will need
Here is a quick snapshot of the ingredients you'll need for this recipe. Scroll to the recipe card where you will find the exact measurements.
Ingredient notes
- Tomatoes - look for tomatoes that have a deep color over the whole tomato. They should have a sweet, earthy smell. The stronger the smell the more flavorful the tomato. They should be free of blemishes and not have any indication of spoilage.
- Cucumbers - look for firm cucumbers with no blemishes or soft spots.
Ingredient Swaps
- Tomatoes - you can swap out for grape, cherry, or Marzano tomatoes.
- Balsamic vinegar - for a different taste try red wine vinegar.
- Italian herb seasoning - use fresh herbs, and don't be afraid to mix and match. You can substitute with a combination of equal parts basil, oregano, and parsley.
How to make it
Step 1: Make the dressing
Pour olive oil into a measuring cup or small bowl. Add the lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, Italian herb seasoning, salt, and pepper. Whisk all the ingredients together until they are completely combine then set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the tomato salad
Combine in a large bowl or airtight container the tomatoes, green onions, and cucumbers. Pour the prepared salad dressing on the vegetables. Toss, and then serve the cucumber tomato salad immediately or refrigerate until needed.
Expert tips
- Allow to marinate - giving the dish an extra 30 minutes prior to serving in the refrigerate allows the flavors to mingle for a more intense flavor. While this marinate you can make some Beer Can Chicken to pair it with for dinner or meal prep.
- Keep it cold - store the produce in the refrigerator prior to prepping so the salad is cold from the beginning prior to serving.
- Seeds - you can core the cucumbers or choose burpless to skip the seeds.
FAQ's
This salad will last for three days properly refrigerated.
No, they are actually a fruit.
Yes, to make this quicker you can use a ½ cup of store bought Italian dressing.
Serving suggestions
Dice the vegetables small to serve as a salsa with some tortilla or pita chips for a party appetizer. Add a few cups of cooked pasta for a hearty side dish with double the dressing amount. You could also add a little fresh mozzarella to this version as well.
Variations
- Greek - add crumbled feta cheese and olives.
- Ranch - use ranch dressing instead for a creamy version.
- Mexican - add in diced avacado, corn, and black beans.
- BLT - cooked crumbled bacon is a great addition too!
Storage
This is a cold salad and must be kept refrigerated. Store up to three days. This dish cannot be frozen.
More side dish recipes
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Recipe
Easy Balsamic Tomato Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
Salad dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar can also use red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian herb seasoning can use fresh as well
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Salad Vegetables
- 2 cucumbers sliced
- 3 tomatoes diced large, can also use grape, cherry, or San Marzano
- 2 green onions sliced
Instructions
Salad dressing
- Combine all ingredients in this category in a small measuring cup or bowl. Whisk together until combined well.
Salad vegetables
- Add all these ingredients into a large bowl. Add the prepared salad dressing then toss to combine.
- Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to three days.
Notes
- Allow to marinate - giving the dish an extra 30 minutes prior to serving in the refrigerate allows the flavors to mingle for a more intense flavor.
- Keep it cold - store the produce in the refrigerator prior to prepping so the salad is cold from the beginning prior to serving.
- Greek - add crumbled feta cheese and olives.
- Ranch - use ranch dressing instead for a creamy version.
- Mexican - add in diced avacado, corn, and black beans.
- BLT - cooked crumbled bacon is a great addition too!
Nutrition
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