When tomatoes and cucumbers start piling up in the garden, this simple cucumber tomato salad is the perfect way to use them up.
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 basically 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.
- Roma tomatoes
- English cucumber: English cucumbers work especially well for cucumber tomato salad because they have fewer seeds and thinner skins than regular cucumbers.
- Fresh parsley: Fresh parsley adds bright flavor and is commonly used in Mediterranean cucumber tomato salads.
- Olive oil and lemon dressing: A simple dressing made with olive oil and lemon juice gives the salad a light Mediterranean flavor without overpowering the vegetables.
- Kosher salt
See the recipe card below for full quantities of everything.
Instructions
The instructions to make this recipe couldn't be any easier!
Simply chop up all your ingredients.
Toss them together in a large mixing bowl with some olive oil and lemon juice. Let it sit in the fridge for an hour or two before digging in.
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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.
Chill until you're ready to serve.
Tip: If you're using refrigerated tomatoes, let them come to room temperature before prepping the salad.
Substitutions
You can use many different varieties of fresh produce you use in this recipe. For example...
- Tomatoes - use whatever type of tomatoes you have growing in your garden. Grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes...should I go on?
- Fresh herbs - you can play around with all sorts of different fresh herbs here. Mint is super refreshing and thyme or a little fresh oregano would be a good recipe match, too.
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!
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.
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
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Ingredients
- 3 cups roma tomatoes
- 1 large English cucumber the kind in a plastic wrapper
- ½ cup fresh parsley chopped (about half of a bunch)
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Core the tomatoes by removing the circle stem part at the top. Cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise, then cut each half into three or so large but bite sized pieces
- For the cucumber: Remove the plastic wrap. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise (you may need to cut it into half and then cut each half lengthwise), then cut each half into large but bite size pieces.
- Cut off the bottom stems from the parsley. Chop the parsley using a chef’s knife.
- In a medium sized salad bowl, place cucumbers, tomato pieces and parsley.
- 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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.
