Quick Marinated Cucumber Tomato Salad: The Ultimate Refreshing Side Dish
Capture the taste of summer with this incredibly easy and zesty cucumber tomato salad. This recipe delivers crisp, bright flavors in minutes, making it the perfect no-cook side dish for BBQs, picnics, or light lunches.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large cucumbers, sliced or chopped
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional, for balance)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare your vegetables: Wash and slice the cucumbers and chop the tomatoes. Thinly slice the red onion. Place all prepared vegetables into a large mixing bowl.
- Make the tangy vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and sugar (if using). Whisk until the dressing is well combined.
- Dress the salad: Pour the vinaigrette evenly over the vegetables in the large bowl.
- Toss gently: Use a large spoon or tongs to gently toss the salad until all the vegetables are lightly coated with the dressing.
- Marinate: Let the salad sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the vegetables to absorb the zesty flavor.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley just before serving. This refreshing side dish is ready to go!
Notes
- For extra Mediterranean flavor, add 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese just before serving.
- If you prefer a milder onion flavor, soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain well before adding it to the salad.
- This salad tastes best when served the same day it is made to keep the cucumbers crisp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 0.7
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0