Tomato Cucumber Salad

Tomato Cucumber Salad garnished with red onion and fresh basil. One of our favorite fresh and healthy summer side dishes!

So, you know how two-year-olds are notorious for being “terrible”? Well, my two-year-old must have broken the mold because I would happily keep her at this age FOREVER. I’m a little obsessed with the “stage” she’s in.

She’s my constant companion–helper on the kitchen counter while we cook together, or the bathroom counter while I put my makeup on and do her hair. She’s constantly complimenting me like “you pretty mom” or “you the best Mom EVA!”.

I’m not making this up. She is hilarious and ADORABLE. She tells me when she’s tired and ready for a nap or ready for bed. Her favorite snack is cottage cheese with avocados in it. She’s just the best.

The other day I was making this salad, and like with most things I make, she begged to help me on the kitchen counter. “Help” is relative because I’m trying to make a salad and she’s popping cucumbers and cherry tomatoes into her mouth like they’re counting.

My kids don’t love all vegetables, but they LOVE cucumbers and tomatoes. I think they get that from me, because those two things are probably my favorites too.

My grandpa had an amazing garden when I was young and my family was the happy recipients of TONS of garden vegetables throughout the summer. Fresh garden tomatoes and cucumbers are complete heaven! For anyone that doesn’t like tomatoes (ahem…I’m talking to you, husband!)

I’m convinced they haven’t been exposed to a fresh, juicy garden tomato. There are few things more delicious! My mom would make this salad all. the. time., using up our fresh garden produce. It’s incredibly simple but the fresh flavors and crunch make my mouth water just thinking about it.

Even though I no longer have access to those amazing, fresh garden tomatoes and cucumbers to make this salad,  it still tastes wonderful, and my kids LOVE it.

It’s the perfect summer side dish to serve with just about anything–especially something hot off the grill like grilled chicken, burgers, or steak. I’ve come to find that a fresh, healthy side dish like this Tomato Cucumber Salad is exactly what people crave as a side to their heavy BBQ meats.

How to Make Tomato Cucumber Salad:

Cut your cherry tomatoes in half and cut your cucumbers into 1/4” coins and add them to a bowl.  Then, drizzle olive oil and vinegar on top, toss the salad, and season it will red onion and basil.  It’s that easy!

What is the difference between English cucumbers and Regular cucumbers?

When you are shopping at the grocery store, you may notice a few different types of cucumbers.  Most stores sell mini cucumbers, regular cucumbers, and English cucumber.  English cucumbers are the long, skinny cucumbers that are wrapped in plastic, and tend to sell for a little higher price than a regular cucumber.  You will also notice that “regular” cucumbers have a thicker, more waxy skin and are always the cheapest option.

Any type of cucumber will work for this salad, but my family prefers mini or English cucumbers because the small discs are crunchy and fun to eat!  My general rule of thumb is that when the cucumber is one of the stand out ingredients in the dish, an English cucumber is the right one to buy.

Are you supposed to peel cucumbers?

You do not have to peel a regular cucumber or an English cucumber, but you can if you wish!  I love to leave the skin because it provides the greatest amount of fiber.  Fiber can help regulate your digestive system, decrease your risk for cardiovascular disease, and help you feel full for a longer period of time!

Consider trying these quick and easy salad recipes:

• Cucumber Onion Salad
• Citrus Fruit Salad
• Watermelon, Basil, and Feta Salad
• Fresh Fruit Salad

You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for more great recipes!

Tomato Cucumber Salad

Tomato Cucumber Salad garnished with red onion and fresh basil. One of our favorite fresh and healthy summer side dishes! 

4.58 from 19 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 65kcal

Author: Lauren Allen

Ingredients

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes , halved
• 5 mini cucumbers , sliced into 1/4'' coins
• 3 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
• salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste
• 2 Tablespoons red onions , diced
• 2 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves , chopped

Instructions

• Add cherry tomatoes and cucumbers to a bowl. 
• Drizzle olive oil and vinegar on top. Season with salt and pepper.
•  Toss everything to coat. Garnish with diced red onion and fresh basil.
• Try these BBQ side dishes

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 475mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 540IU | Vitamin C: 18.6mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @TastesBetterFromScratch on Instagram #TastesBetterFromScratch!

Have you tried this recipe?!

RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.