This marinated cucumber, onion, and tomato salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish perfect for summer gatherings or a light side to your main course. The crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and tangy onions are brought together with a simple yet flavorful dressing that enhances the natural flavors of the vegetables.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are common and likely already in your pantry. However, if you don't typically stock vinegar or olive oil, you may need to pick these up at the supermarket. These ingredients are essential for creating the tangy and rich dressing that ties the salad together.

Ingredients for Marinated Cucumber Onion and Tomato Salad
Cucumbers: Fresh and crisp, they add a refreshing crunch to the salad.
Tomatoes: Juicy and sweet, they provide a burst of flavor and color.
Onions: Thinly sliced for a mild, tangy bite that complements the other vegetables.
Vinegar: Adds acidity and tang to the dressing, balancing the flavors.
Olive oil: Provides a rich, smooth base for the dressing.
Sugar: A touch of sweetness to balance the acidity of the vinegar.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the vegetables.
Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth to the dressing.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the flavors of this marinated salad, consider using a mandoline slicer for the cucumbers and onions. This ensures uniform thickness, which helps the vegetables absorb the dressing more evenly. Additionally, try using a variety of tomatoes, such as cherry or heirloom, to add a burst of color and different flavor profiles to the dish.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cucumbers - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini has a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a good alternative in salads.
tomatoes - Substitute with bell peppers: Bell peppers add a sweet and crunchy element, providing a different but pleasant texture and flavor.
onions - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter taste compared to onions, which can be a nice variation in salads.
vinegar - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice provides acidity and a fresh citrus flavor, which can brighten up the salad.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a mild flavor that works well in dressings.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness and a slight floral note, enhancing the overall flavor of the salad.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty and umami flavor, which can deepen the taste of the salad.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile, offering a subtle change.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Salad
How To Store / Freeze This Salad
- To store your marinated cucumber onion and tomato salad, transfer it to an airtight container. This will help maintain the freshness and prevent any unwanted odors from seeping in.
- Place the container in the refrigerator. The salad will stay fresh for up to 3 days, allowing the vegetables to soak up the flavors of the vinegar and olive oil dressing.
- If you want to prepare the salad ahead of time, consider storing the dressing separately. Combine the cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions in one container and the dressing in another. Mix them together about 10 minutes before serving to ensure the vegetables remain crisp.
- For freezing, note that cucumbers and tomatoes have high water content and may become mushy when thawed. It is generally not recommended to freeze this salad as it can compromise the texture and flavor.
- If you must freeze, do so without the dressing. Place the vegetables in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and add the freshly made dressing just before serving.
- Always label your containers with the date of preparation to keep track of freshness. This is especially useful if you are preparing multiple dishes or storing leftovers.
- When ready to serve, give the salad a good toss to redistribute the marinade and ensure every bite is flavorful.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Gently warm the marinated salad in a skillet over low heat for 2-3 minutes. This method helps to maintain the crispness of the vegetables while slightly enhancing the flavors.
Use a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can make the cucumbers and tomatoes too soft.
If you prefer a cold salad, simply let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together without losing the freshness of the vegetables.
For a slightly different twist, you can place the salad in a preheated oven at 200°F (93°C) for about 5 minutes. This method gently warms the ingredients without cooking them, preserving the texture and flavor.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large mixing bowl: A spacious container to combine the cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions.
Small bowl: Used to whisk together the vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt, and black pepper for the dressing.
Whisk: Essential for thoroughly mixing the dressing ingredients to ensure they are well combined.
Knife: Necessary for slicing the cucumbers, chopping the tomatoes, and thinly slicing the onions.
Cutting board: Provides a safe and stable surface for cutting the vegetables.
Measuring cups: Used to accurately measure the cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions.
Measuring spoons: Ensures precise measurement of the vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
Serving spoon: Handy for tossing the salad and ensuring the dressing coats the vegetables evenly.
How to Save Time on Making This Salad
Pre-slice vegetables: Slice cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions in advance and store them in airtight containers.
Use a mandoline: A mandoline slicer can quickly and evenly slice cucumbers and onions.
Batch make dressing: Prepare a larger batch of the vinegar and olive oil dressing and store it in the fridge for future use.
Marinate overnight: Let the salad marinate overnight to enhance flavors and save time on the day of serving.
Quick whisk: Use a small whisk or fork to mix the dressing ingredients quickly.

Marinated Cucumber Onion and Tomato Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cucumbers, sliced
- 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup onions, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions.
- 2. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
- 3. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat evenly.
- 4. Let the salad marinate for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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