One of my major wins as a mom is my kids’ love of fresh fruits and vegetables. We actually can’t keep up with them. Most meals have sliced peppers, cucumbers, or carrots on the side. And snack time is usually grapes and strawberries. I feel great about it. But sliced raw veggies aren’t the most exciting for me. I’m always looking for ways to incorporate that freshness into a side dish that I want to eat with my meal too. This cucumber and tomato salad recipe is the perfect answer, and it turns out that my kids love it too!
Cucumbers For Salad
I love using English cucumbers because they don’t have as many seeds and are so crisp. They also tend to add less liquid to recipes. You can make this salad with any type of cucumber and don’t need to peel them first. Just give them a good scrub to remove any dirt and slice them thinly.
Cucumbers: I love the texture that the peel adds, but if you prefer a smoother texture, you can peel the cucumbers. See more on what kind of cucumbers to use below. Tomato: Choose ripe, firm tomatoes to ensure they hold up well when mixed with the other ingredients. Cherry or grape tomatoes can also be used for a bite-sized variation. Red onion: Thinly slice the onion to ensure it blends well without overpowering the salad. Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning is a blend of herbs such as oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. It adds a savory, aromatic flavor that enhances the freshness of the vegetables. Read more on making your own Italian seasoning below. Olive oil: Acts as the base for the salad dressing, providing a rich, smooth texture. It helps to coat the vegetables evenly, ensuring each bite is flavorful. Use extra virgin olive oil for the best quality and taste. Red wine vinegar: Adds a tangy, slightly acidic flavor that balances the sweetness of the tomatoes and the richness of the olive oil. It brightens up the salad and helps to marry the flavors of all the ingredients. Salt and black pepper: Enhance the other ingredients, be sure to taste the dressing and add more salt and pepper as needed.
Prepare the veggies. Combine the sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions in a large bowl. Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Taste the dressing and add more salt and pepper to taste. Put it all together. Toss the dressing with the vegetables and enjoy right away.
Homemade Italian Seasoning
It is no secret that I love making my own seasoning blends. They are so easy to throw together, last for six months in my pantry, and I know they are fresh and have the perfect flavor. This Italian seasoning is one I always have on hand! I use it in so many recipes, including this tomato cucumber salad. If you have fresh herbs growing your garden it would be great to dry them to use in this seasoning mix.
Making Ahead and Storing Salad
Store this tomato and cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Please know that the longer the salad sits, the more watery it will get. Since cucumbers and tomatoes are made up of so much water, it is impossible to prevent them from getting soggy and their juices making the salad watery after so much time. To best avoid this, eat the salad while it is fresh. Always use your best judgment with leftovers.
