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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Slice cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion into thin, uniform pieces, ensuring even marination and visual appeal.
- Create a tangy vinaigrette by whisking together vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt, black pepper, and oregano until fully emulsified.
- Gently pour the zesty marinade over the sliced vegetables, using a spatula to ensure every piece is evenly coated.
- Transfer the dressed salad to a sealed container and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour, allowing the flavors to develop and intensify.
- Just before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the marinade and release its aromatic essence.
- Optional: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a vibrant garnish that adds a pop of color and herbaceous freshness.
- 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