When tomatoes and cucumbers start piling up in the garden, or looking especially good at the farmers market, this simple cucumber tomato salad is one of the easiest ways to enjoy them.
Made with fresh tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, parsley, olive oil, and lemon juice, this light Mediterranean-style salad is an easy summer side dish that goes with just about anything on the grill.
It’s quick to make, full of fresh flavor, and perfect for backyard dinners, potlucks, or using up garden vegetables. Consider it a summer staple!
Why This Cucumber Tomato Salad Works
This fresh cucumber tomato salad is inspired by Mediterranean flavors and uses just a few simple ingredients, which you know I love.
Unlike creamy cucumber salads, this version uses olive oil and lemon juice for a light dressing that lets the vegetables shine.
It’s perfect when:
- garden tomatoes are in season
- cucumbers are abundant (if you know, you know)
- you need a quick summer side dish
Why you'll love this recipe
Light & refreshing: A perfect option for a light lunch or a side to a refreshing dinner on a hot summer day.
Flavorful: The combination of fresh tomato, crisp cucumber, fresh herbs and a tangy lemony dressing creates a tasty medley of Mediterranean flavors that will satisfy your taste buds AND your belly!
Nourishing: It’s bursting with wholesome ingredients from the tomatoes which are high in antioxidants to the fresh cucumbers packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
If you love fresh cucumber recipes, try my Marinated Cucumbers and Onions or this Summer Corn Salad for another easy summer side.
Fresh Ingredients
Any recipe that’s easy to make plus has just a few wholesome ingredients is my kind of recipe.
And that’s exactly what this cucumber tomato salad is.
- Tomatoes: The best tomatoes are the ones that taste good. Garden tomatoes, farmers market tomatoes, heirlooms, Roma, grape, or cherry tomatoes all work well in this salad. Use whatever is ripe and in season.
- Cucumber: Garden cucumbers with thin skins are perfect for this recipe. If you're using a standard grocery store cucumber with thicker, waxy skin, peel all or part of it before chopping. English cucumbers are another great option since they don't need peeling.
- Fresh parsley: Fresh parsley adds bright flavor and is commonly used in Mediterranean cucumber tomato salads.
- Dressing: A simple dressing made with olive oil and lemon juice gives the salad a light Mediterranean flavor without overpowering the vegetables.
- Salt & black pepper
See the recipe card below for full quantities of everything.
Instructions
The instructions to make this recipe couldn't be any easier!
Cut the cucumber.
Wash the cucumber well. If it has a thick, waxy skin, peel all or part of it before cutting it into bite-sized pieces.
Chop Tomatoes
Chop tomatoes into bite sized pieces.
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Combine.
Combine chopped tomatoes and cucumbers and freshly chopped parsley in a medium sized bowl.
Make the Dressing.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Pour the lemon dressing over the tomato mixture and toss to coat.
Add dressing.
Pour the dressing over the vegetables and gently toss to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
No two bowls of this side dish ever look exactly alike around here. Some weeks I use big slicing tomatoes from the garden. Other times it's a handful of sweet cherry tomatoes. That's part of the beauty of this recipe.
Make it with what you have
One of the best things about this cucumber tomato salad is how flexible it is!
- Use garden tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes.
- Garden cucumbers with thin skins don't need peeling. Grocery store cucumbers with thicker skins may taste better if they're partially peeled.
- Fresh basil, dill, mint, or oregano all work well instead of parsley.
Variations
Everyone and their brother has different things they love. Make this cucumber salad your own with these variations.
Cheese obsessed - add some feta cheese before serving
For some zing - some chopped red onion or Sweet Vidalia onion adds texture and a little bite
Craving briny flavor - Add some chopped kalamata olives for a Greek salad vibe.
Another great cucumber recipe is this Marinated Cucumbers and Onions!
This cucumber tomato salad is one of my favorite ways to use fresh summer produce when the garden is overflowing. (Or the neighbor shared their bounty of ripe tomatoes!)
FAQ
Yes. Letting the salad sit for about 30 minutes to 1 hour allows the olive oil and lemon juice to soak into the vegetables and develop more flavor.
However, for best texture, serve it the same day.
Garden cucumbers with tender skins don't need peeling. If you're using a grocery store cucumber with thicker, waxy skin, peeling all or part of it can improve the texture.
What to serve with serve with tomato cucumber salad
Basically, anything on the grill is at home here. From avocado baja burgers, to grilled pork chops and chicken, to air fryer bratwurst, it's a perfect match for all summertime foods!
More Summer Salads You'll Love
- Summer Corn Salad
- Tortellini Caprese Salad Cups
- Asparagus & Green Bean Salad
- Mediterranean Chopped Salad
If you make this cucumber tomato salad, leave a recipe review or comment below. I'd love to hear from you!
Recipe
Cucumber Tomato Salad with Lemon and Olive Oil
Ingredients
Method
- Core 3 cups ripe tomatoes and chop into bite sized pieces.
- Wash 1 large cucumber well. If it has a thick or waxy skin, peel all or part of it before chopping into bite-sized pieces..
- Chop ½ cup fresh parsley.
- In a medium sized salad bowl, place cucumbers, tomato pieces and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper.Pour the lemon dressing over the tomato mixture and toss to coat.
