Simple Cucumber Tomato Salad

Simple Cucumber Tomato Salad is easy to make, flavorful, light, cooling, and absolutely refreshing! This classic salad consists of diced cucumbers, tomatoes, turnip slivers, and optional bell peppers, and it does not require a store-bought salad dressing.

Serve this Simple Cucumber Tomato Salad with your mains, or enjoy it as a low-calorie snack between meals! Customizing the recipe by adding more veggies, spices, and herbs is easy.

Jump to:

• Cooling Simple Cucumber Tomato Salad
• What To Love About This Salad
• Ingredients and Notes
• How To Make Simple Cucumber Tomato Salad
• How To Serve Simple Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Substitutions
• Bring Variations To Simple Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Storing Suggestions
• Helpful Tips
• More Salad Recipes
• Recipe Card

Cooling Simple Cucumber Tomato Salad

My Kachumber Salad (No Onion) recipe inspired me to make this simple cucumber and tomato salad.

Sometimes, even making certain salads requires planning and lots of preparation. But making this salad is simple, easy, and quick without any pre-mixed or store-bought salad dressing!

It can also be prepared in advance and kept in the refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy it. The cold salad tastes great. However, it tastes best when served on the same day as it is made. However, you can refrigerate the simple cucumber tomato salad for two days.

This salad consists of three main elements that almost everyone gets during grocery shopping: cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers. However, adding bell peppers is optional; you can skip it.

I added turnip julienne to this simple cucumber tomato salad for more flavor and crunch. If you do not have it, skip it, or add radish if you prefer.

For the dressing, we require simple elements readily available in our pantry. I added olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, honey, sumac, and finely chopped coriander leaves.

This cucumber and tomato salad is without onion and garlic. So, if you are following a no-onion, no-garlic diet and can not find a store-bought salad dressing without onion and garlic, this recipe is for you!

If you do not have some of the ingredients, keep reading the post for substitutions and variations.

Ingredients and Notes

1. Cucumbers: For this recipe, use mini or English cucumbers. These types of cucumbers have thinner skin, so we do not need to peel them.
2. Tomatoes: I used Roma tomatoes for this salad, but you can also use cherry tomatoes cut into halves.
3. Bell Peppers: You can add any colored bell pepper to the simple cucumber tomato salad. However, it is optional, and you can skip it.
4. Turnip: I like adding sweet and peppery turnip slivers to different salads. If you do not have a turnip, you can skip it or add radish.
5. Salt and Pepper: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
6. Sumac: I love adding beautifully colored sumac to many of my recipes. But if you do not have it, simply skip it.
7. Olive Oil: We do not need a lot of oil for this recipe. Adding one tablespoon of olive oil is enough for this salad. But, if you are following a low-calorie diet and avoiding oil, skip it.
8. Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds fresh and vibrant flavors to the salad. Use fresh or bottled lemon juice and add to taste.
9. Honey: A slight touch of honey enhances the other flavors.
10. Cilantro: Fresh cilantro or coriander leaves are my favorite herb, and my dish is incomplete without it.

How To Make Simple Cucumber Tomato Salad

• Combine all the ingredients except cilantro in a mixing bowl.
• Toss well until everything is well combined.

• Add finely chopped cilantro and toss well.
• Let it sit at room temperature or refrigerate for at least 10 minutes before serving.

How To Serve Simple Cucumber Tomato Salad

• Simple Cucumber Tomato Salad goes well with almost every main meal. It can be served as a side dish with Indian and other cuisines.
• You can serve this fresh, vibrant, and colorful salad with Rice and Dal. Or have it with a Roti and Sabji for the complete meal.
• It goes well with vegetable pulao or biriyani. For example, you can serve this salad with the Tawa pulao or Methi Pulao.

Substitutions

Tomatoes: Instead of Roma tomatoes, you can use cherry tomatoes cut into halves.

Turnip: Do not like turnip or do not have it? Skip it or use radish instead.

Honey: Add any natural sweetener of your choice instead of honey.

Cilantro: Instead of cilantro, you can add finely chopped parsley.

Bring Variations To Simple Cucumber Tomato Salad

Herbs: Add fresh basil leaves to the salad. Or, add dried herbs such as oregano, basil, rosemary, or parsley.

Red Pepper Flakes: Make the salad spicy by adding red pepper flakes to taste.

Lemon Zest: Add the zest of a lemon to add more fresh and bright flavors.

Avocado: If you want to have a salad for lunch, add avocado right before serving to make it more filling and satisfying.

Protein: Adding protein is the best way to make the salad filling and healthier. You can add boiled chickpeas or paneer cubes.

Storing Suggestions

• It is best to serve this salad the same day it is made. Cover it tightly and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
• However, if you still need to keep it longer or have leftovers, cover it tightly and place it in the fridge for up to two days. There will be lots of juice released, which you can remove before serving.

More Salad Recipes

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