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Need to make a last-minute salad that’s easy to put together, but still packed with flavor? Look no further than this classic cucumber tomato salad, light and refreshing and guaranteed to turn the most stalwart salad hater around.

Why you’ll love this recipe

It’s super easy to make: This salad can be whipped up in as little as 15 minutes! Great for those busy days when you didn’t plan ahead.
Common ingredients: All you need are a handful of produce and pantry staples: cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. I bet you even have these already in your kitchen!
It’s cool, refreshing, and delicious: This salad is a staple in my household during the summer because of the fresh flavors of the cucumbers and tomatoes. But it’s perfect year-round for its bright, crunchy texture and simple dressing!
Goes with everything: Need something for a cookout, potluck, or just a normal weeknight dinner? This salad is extremely versatile and perfect for any occasion! I especially love serving them alongside grilled or roasted meats or fish.

Key salad ingredients

Again, this salad calls for only a few simple ingredients!

Cucumber: I like to use English cucumbers for this recipe or, if not available, Persian cucumbers (which tend to be a little sweeter and don’t have too many seeds). The cucumbers add a nice crunch and texture to the salad.
Tomatoes: For this recipe, I like to use plum (also known as “Roma”) tomatoes, but halved cherry tomatoes would work just as well. If you make this salad during the warm summer months, heirloom tomatoes in season would work great.
Red onion: I like to add some red onion for a little more bite and crunch. It also plays wonderfully against the tomatoes and cucumbers, and makes you feel refreshed.
Fresh herbs: Chopped cilantro or parsley tend to be my go-tos, but some fresh dill or basil would also work well with this salad.
Dressing: Lemon juice and good quality olive oil are all you need!

How to make cucumber tomato salad

Chop all of the vegetables. In a large bowl, combine the chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, sliced red onion, and finely chopped herbs.

2. Add the dressing. Drizzle lemon juice and olive oil over the salad, then add a dash of salt and pepper.

3. Toss everything to combine. Serve immediately and enjoy! The salad also makes for good leftovers when stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

Other fun additions

One of the great things about this salad is how versatile it is and how it can serve as the foundation for other ingredients. You can add some sliced avocado, crumbled feta or mozzarella balls, you name it! Use your creativity and imagination because the end result will always be delicious.