Zesty Marinated Cucumber Tomato and Onion Salad Recipe

Cool summer days call for a refreshing cucumber salad that brings zesty Mediterranean flavors to your plate.

Crisp vegetables mingle with a tangy dressing, creating a vibrant side dish.

Juicy tomatoes and crunchy onions dance together in perfect harmony.

Salt and herbs work magic, drawing out natural sweetness from each ingredient.

Fresh herbs sprinkle a burst of green excitement across the colorful medley.

Chopping and mixing takes just minutes, making this salad an ideal quick companion for grilled meats or a light lunch.

What You’ll Enjoy in This Cucumber Tomato Salad

• Savor Quick Freshness: This salad whips up in minutes with minimal chopping and simple ingredients everyone loves.
• Embrace Versatile Serving: Perfect as a side dish, light lunch, or potluck contribution that complements multiple main courses.
• Boost Healthy Eating: Packed with raw vegetables, this recipe delivers crisp nutrition without heavy calories or complicated preparation.
• Celebrate Flavor Infusion: The vinegar-based marinade transforms basic vegetables into a tangy, zesty experience that gets better as it sits.

Marinated Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad Ingredients

• Cucumber: Crisp and cool base for the salad.
• Tomatoes: Juicy and bright red component.
• Red Onion: Sharp and colorful accent.

• Vinegar: Tangy acidic liquid for dressing.
• Olive Oil: Smooth binding ingredient.
• Sugar: Optional sweet balancer.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Oregano: Classic herb and spice mix for depth.
• Parsley: Optional fresh green garnish.

Making Marinated Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad Recipe

Step 1: Slice Fresh Vegetables

Grab your cutting board and sharp knife. Carefully slice cucumbers into thin, delicate rounds. Cut tomatoes into bite-sized wedges. Thinly slice red onions to create translucent, delicate pieces that will absorb the marinade beautifully.

Step 2: Create Zesty Marinade

• White vinegar
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Sugar
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Dried oregano

Blend the ingredients until they form a smooth, well-combined dressing that will dance with the vegetables.

Step 3: Combine and Coat Vegetables

Transfer the sliced vegetables into a large mixing bowl. Pour the vibrant marinade over the vegetables. Use a large spoon or salad tongs to gently toss and coat every single piece, ensuring each vegetable is glistening with the tangy dressing.

Step 4: Chill and Develop Flavors

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid. Place in the refrigerator and let the salad marinate. This resting time allows the flavors to mingle and intensify, creating a more complex and delicious dish. Wait at least one hour, but overnight is even better.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Before serving, give the salad another gentle toss. If desired, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and extra freshness. Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature as a perfect side dish for summer gatherings or casual meals.

Salad Tips That Keep Cucumber, Tomato & Onion Crisp and Tangy

• Prep Veggies Precisely: Slice cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions uniformly to ensure even marinating and consistent flavor in every bite.
• Adjust Sweetness Smartly: Customize sugar levels to balance the vinegar's tanginess, using honey or a sugar substitute for dietary preferences.
• Maximize Marinating Magic: Let the salad rest longer than an hour for deeper flavor penetration, with overnight refrigeration providing the most robust taste profile.
• Herb Harmony: Experiment with fresh herbs like dill or basil instead of oregano to create unique flavor variations that complement the vegetables.
• Temperature Tricks: Serve slightly chilled for a refreshing summer side or at room temperature to enhance the natural vegetable flavors and dressing complexity.

Salad Storage for Marinated Cucumber, Tomato & Onion

• Store leftover salad in a sealed glass or plastic container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, keeping vegetables crisp and marinade fresh.
• Before serving stored salad, use a slotted spoon to remove excess liquid and prevent vegetables from becoming soggy.
• Do not freeze this salad, as cucumbers and tomatoes will lose texture and become watery when thawed.
• Gently stir salad and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to revive flavors and restore original texture.

Matches for Marinated Cucumber Mix

• Boost Flavor Harmony: Pair this refreshing cucumber, tomato, and onion salad with grilled proteins like juicy chicken or flaky white fish to create a balanced Mediterranean-inspired meal.
• Match Wine Elegantly: Select a crisp, light white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the salad's tangy vinegar base and bright vegetable flavors.
• Enhance Texture Contrast: Serve alongside crusty artisan bread or garlic-rubbed crostini to add a crunchy element that balances the salad's soft, marinated vegetable textures.
• Complete the Plate: Add a scoop of herbed couscous or quinoa to transform this side dish into a satisfying light lunch with additional protein and wholesome grains.

Marinated Salad Flavor Twists

• Low-Carb Cucumber Salad: Replace sugar with stevia or omit sweetener entirely, perfect for keto and diabetic-friendly diets.
• Mediterranean Herb Variation: Add crumbled feta cheese, swap oregano for fresh dill, and include chopped kalamata olives for an authentic Greek flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Incorporate diced jalapeños, replace red onion with green onions, and add chopped cilantro for a zesty, heat-packed version of the classic salad.
• Vegan Friendly Option: Use apple cider vinegar, substitute olive oil with avocado oil, and add hemp seeds for extra protein and nutritional boost.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of vinegar in this salad?

Yes, you can substitute white vinegar with apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar for slightly different flavor profiles. Each type of vinegar will add a unique tanginess to the salad.

• Is this salad healthy?

Absolutely! This salad is low in calories, high in nutrients, and packed with fresh vegetables. It’s a great source of vitamins, minerals, and hydration, making it an excellent side dish for a balanced diet.

• How long can the vegetables marinate?

The salad can marinate for 1 hour to overnight. The longer it sits, the more the flavors will develop, but be careful not to let it sit too long, as the vegetables might become too soft and lose their crisp texture.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, this salad is perfect for preparing in advance. You can make it a day before serving, which actually helps the flavors meld together even more, creating a more delicious dish.

Marinated Cucumber Tomato and Onion Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes (excluding pickling time)
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired cucumber tomato and onion salad brings crisp summer freshness to any meal. Cool herbed vegetables dance with zesty vinaigrette, offering a perfect light side dish that refreshes your palate and delights your senses.

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Ingredients

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Main Vegetables:

• 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 3 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges or thick slices
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

Vinegar and Oil Base:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil

Seasoning and Optional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) granulated sugar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) black pepper
• 1 teaspoon (1 gram) dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
• 1/4 cup (15 grams) fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Slice cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion into thin, uniform pieces, ensuring even marination and visual appeal.
2. Create a tangy vinaigrette by whisking together vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt, black pepper, and oregano until fully emulsified.
3. Gently pour the zesty marinade over the sliced vegetables, using a spatula to ensure every piece is evenly coated.
4. Transfer the dressed salad to a sealed container and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour, allowing the flavors to develop and intensify.
5. Just before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the marinade and release its aromatic essence.
6. Optional: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a vibrant garnish that adds a pop of color and herbaceous freshness.
7. Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish that complements grilled meats, fish, or as a standalone light meal.

Notes

• Prep veggies uniformly to ensure even marinating and consistent flavor distribution.
• Adjust sweetness by reducing or eliminating sugar for low-carb or diabetic-friendly version.
• Use apple cider or white wine vinegar as alternatives for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
• Select ripe, firm tomatoes and crisp cucumbers to maintain salad’s fresh texture and prevent watery consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Pickling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 90
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 230mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg