This Easy Cucumber Tomato Salad is light, refreshing and made in about 15 minutes. Fresh tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, red onion and chickpeas are tossed with a light balsamic and herb dressing. It's a great dish to serve at summer barbecues and dinners and bring to picnics, parties and cookouts.
Table Of Contents
This is one of my favorite summer salad recipes, and you'll find it on my dinner table weekly. Flavorful and fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, chickpeas and mozzarella pearls are tossed with an easy balsamic and olive oil herb-infused dressing. This salad has inspired my Greek tortellini salad and Caprese pasta salad.
Cucumber tomato salad is a light and healthy side dish to accompany grilled steak, turkey burgers, or hot dogs. This salad is also perfect for picnics because it's delicious when chilled or at room temperature. It travels well and there's no need to keep it cool or find a place to warm it up.
Ingredients
For the salad you need:
- Cucumbers
- Grape or cherry tomatoes
- Chickpeas
- Red onion
- Mozzarella cheese cubes
For the balsamic dressing you need:
- Olive oil (extra virgin)
- Balsamic vinegar
- Fresh parsley
- Dill
- Garlic salt
- Pepper
Instructions
Cucumber tomato salad is made in just 2 steps. It can be prepared immediately before serving or the night before. I find it's best to prepare it at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before enjoying to let the fresh veggies marinate in the flavors of the herb and balsamic dressing.
- Slice the cucumbers into rounds or half-moons. Chop the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the red onion. Drain the can of chickpeas and rinse. Combine the cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, chickpeas and mozzarella cheese in a large salad bowl.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the salad. Sprinkle with garlic salt, fresh parsley, dill and black pepper. Toss gently to coat. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Serve immediately or chill for 30-60 minutes before serving to let the flavors blend.
Variations
Cucumber tomato salad is easy to customize and vary based on your ingredient preferences, dietary needs and on-hand ingredients.
- Leave out the mozzarella cheese for a dairy-free or vegan salad.
- Use a different cheese, such as feta cheese crumbles or goat cheese.
- Replace the fresh herbs with dried herbs. Use ⅓ the amount of fresh herbs called for when switching to dried.
- Leave out the chickpeas for an even lighter salad option. Or add in cooked and chilled farro or barley.
- Add in kalamata olives or black olives to make a Mediterranean-style salad. We love olives on Mediterranean pizza and in spinach and feta quesadillas.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make cucumber tomato salad ahead of time. This is my favorite way to make it because the flavors blend. The salad shouldn't get soggy, but if you prefer it more on the crisp side, here are some tips when preparing it ahead of time.
If making a few hours ahead, toss everything together, but leave off the dressing until right before serving. If making the night before, store the salad ingredients separately from the balsamic dressing, and add the dressing just before serving.
Yes! You can add all kinds of veggies and proteins to cucumber tomato salad to make it heartier or more colorful. Avocado will give it creaminess, bell peppers will add crunch and sweetness, grilled chicken or shrimp will make it a full meal and adding greens like arugula or spinach will make it more of a leafy salad.
The best type of tomato for cucumber tomato salad is one that's juicy but firm so it holds its shape without turning mushy. Cherry, grape, roma (plum) and campari tomatoes are great choices.
The best type of cucumber for tomato cucumber salad is one that's crisp and low in seeds. English, Persian and mini cucumbers are perfect options.
Cucumber tomato salad usually lasts about 1 to 2 days in the fridge before it starts getting too watery and soft. For the best flavor and texture, eat within 24 hours.
Recipe
Easy Cucumber Tomato Salad
Equipment
- 1 large salad bowl
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 4 mini cucumbers or 2 cups chopped English/Persian cucumber
- 1 cup grape tomatoes chopped
- ⅓ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup chickpeas drained and rinsed
- ½ cup mozzarella pearls
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon garlic salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- ⅛ teaspoon dried dill
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice the cucumbers into rounds or half-moons. Chop the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the red onion. Drain the can of chickpeas and rinse. Combine the cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, chickpeas and mozzarella cheese in a large salad bowl.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the salad. Sprinkle with garlic salt, fresh parsley, dill and black pepper. Toss gently to coat. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Serve immediately or chill for 30-60 minutes before serving to let the flavors blend.
Notes
Nutrition
Amy Liu Dong says
Wow! This salad dish looks absolutely delicious! The color it gives makes this tempting! Loved it!
Chef Dennis says
I'm loving that Balsamic Parsley Dressing! I will be making this salad today.
Jill says
Such a delicious recipe!
Keiko says
This was so delicious! I didn't have any chickpeas so I added a little extra tomatoes. I used less dressing ingredients and just added until I liked the taste. Super easy, simple salad that I added last minute to dinner. Will definitely save this recipe. I forgot to include the dill so will try it with next time.
Mary says
Will totally be taking this to post pandemic picnics!
Michelle says
Such a delicious, easy and fresh salad -- perfect for summer!
Diana Reis says
I make something like this during the summer, but I've never added chickpeas. It's a great add. I'll be doing it that way from now on.
Jessica Formicola says
I love how simple and easy this is to throw together! I also love that dressing- perfect for summer!
Rika says
I think this salad is perfect for spring! It looks so fresh, light, and refreshing.