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Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad with Red Onion

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A quick and easy summer side dish featuring crisp cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, and tangy red onion tossed in a light olive oil and vinegar dressing. Perfect for backyard barbecues, picnics, or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced (English or Kirby cucumbers recommended)
  • 3 large ripe tomatoes, chopped (about 1-inch chunks)
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
  • 1 small clove garlic, finely minced
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse cucumbers and tomatoes under cold water and pat dry.
  2. Thinly slice 2 medium cucumbers (about 1/4 inch or 6 mm thickness).
  3. Chop 3 large ripe tomatoes into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch chunks).
  4. Peel and thinly slice 1 small red onion into rings or half-rings.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional), and 1 small minced garlic clove.
  6. Season the dressing with a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper and taste to balance flavors.
  7. Place cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion slices in a large mixing bowl.
  8. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and add 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill.
  9. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly without bruising the tomatoes.
  10. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 15-20 minutes to let flavors meld.
  11. Before serving, gently toss the salad again and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed.
  12. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Use a sharp knife for clean, even slices to maintain texture. Resting the salad in the fridge for 15-20 minutes enhances flavor melding. Drain excess tomato juice if tomatoes are very juicy to avoid sogginess. Dressing can be made ahead and stored separately to keep salad crisp. Variations include adding feta cheese, olives, avocado, or jalapeños for different flavor profiles.

Nutrition

Keywords: cucumber salad, tomato salad, summer side dish, fresh salad, red onion, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, vegan salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/fresh-cucumber-tomato-salad-with-red-onion-easy-recipe-for-summer-side-dish/