Cucumber Salad Recipe – Marinated Cucumbers, Onions, and Tomatoes

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Cucumber Salad Recipe – a Simple, Fresh, and Delightful Salad for Picnics, Barbecues, and all Kinds of Cookouts!

This cucumber salad recipe combines cucumber slices, tomato wedges, and thin onion rings; all marinated in a simple fresh and tangy dressing. It’s the perfect side dish to a great summer meal. This cucumber salad screams FRESHNESS, JOY, and VITALITY!

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Why you’ll love this cucumber salad recipe?

It’s a bright, tasty and refreshing summer salad.
It combines great taste, color, and texture; It’s affordable and very easy to prepare.
It’s a healthy salad packed with fiber, vitamins and antioxidants.
It’s a great side to accompany just about any main dish; It’s a quick make ahead salad for your barbecue or dinner party.

What ingredients do I need for this recipe?

Cucumber (peeled and sliced)
Tomatoes (cut into wedges)
1 onion (sliced to form thin rings)
1 cup water
½ cup distilled white vinegar
¼ cup vegetable oil (make sure to use high quality)
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Ground black pepper to your taste

How to make this Easy Cucumber Salad Recipe?

Choosing, washing, cleaning, and organizing your ingredients is a crucial step when it comes to the culinary world. Begin by placing all ingredients and needed equipment on the counter, wash and cut your veggies first, then get started!

Take a large bowl, combine water, vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and pepper; whisk everything together until perfectly smooth.
Add in the sliced cucumbers, onion rings, and tomato wedges into the bowl. Mix everything to evenly coat the veggies with the fresh tangy dressing.
Use a plastic wrap to cover the bowl and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This step enables the flavors to beautifully meld together.
Once marinated, serve your salad chilled to accompany your favorite grilled protein. Enjoy!

The Easiest Cucumber Salad Recipe – The Most Vibrant and Refreshing Summer Side Dish to Brighten up your Lunch or Dinner Table!

This cucumber salad recipe is the perfect summer time side dish. It’s reminiscent of so many childhood memories. As a curious kid who loved helping around the kitchen; my mother kept me in charge of the easy salad recipes to build my confidence. I used to get out of the kitchen with a huge sense of accomplishment and a big smile on my face, walking proudly to serve my fresh salad at our backyard table. I still carry all hose precious kitchen memories with my mommy deep in my heart and mind as I make new ones with my own kids by cooking simple, fun, safe and engaging recipes.
Enjoy this simple, fun, and flavorful recipe at your next family dinner, picnic, Sunday barbecue, or lunch party. It definitely tastes like real summertime.

Helpful Tips and Variations:

Which cucumber should I use? Use firm cucumbers with no soft spots. I personally prefer to use English cucumbers; they have a thin skin and a slightly sweet flavor.
Which tomato should I use? When choosing tomatoes, opt for fresh and juicy tomatoes. Beefsteaks, cherry tomatoes or Roma tomatoes.
Which onion to choose? I prefer to use yellow or white onion, but red onion will work just fine; especially if you like their vibrant color and spicy taste.
How can I replace the white vinegar? You can completely swap the white vinegar with apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or simply use a fresh squeeze of lemon juice.
Which other vegetables work this cucumber salad? You can add chopped chives, red, yellow, or green bell peppers or you can chop some cabbage leaves and add to the mix.
Can I add herbs to this Cucumber Salad recipe? Definitely, herbs are always a good idea. Choose your favorite herb combination and add it to your salad dressing for an added pop of freshness and color. I prefer to keep this recipe as it is, but sometimes, I add fresh dill, oregano or simply sprinkle some fresh basil leaves or thinly chopped parsley.
How can I store leftovers? Any cucumber salad leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days; just store it properly in an airtight glass or plastic container; as you prefer.

How can I serve this Refreshing Cucumber Salad Recipe?

I love serving this fresh cucumber recipe as a light salad to freshen up my barbecue table. Although, you can serve it as a light summery lunch when you’re not too hungry, I personally prefer to pair it with grilled chicken, pork chops, steaks, and all kinds of summertime burgers. It’s fresh, flavorful, and adds a beautiful balance to a table filled with scrumptious grilled protein.