Cucumber Tomato Salad (Easy Marinade!)

This is an old family recipe for cucumber tomato salad. We eat it on repeat all summer long. The apple cider vinegar marinade is easy-to-make and SO delicious!

This recipe was originally published in 2015 and was updated in 2023. It continues to be a reader and family favorite!

This marinated tomato cucumber salad is delicious at any time of year, but it’s the best as a refreshing side salad on a hot summer day.

It’s full of fresh, simple ingredients and it’s really easy to make!

All it takes is about 15 minutes to prep the ingredients and a couple of hours of marinating time.

We make this refreshing salad all summer long! It’s great for weeknight dinners, family barbecues, or neighborhood potlucks.

Jump to:

• Types of Cucumbers
• Ingredients You’ll Need
• How to Make Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Make-Ahead/Storage
• Recipe Notes
• MORE SUMMER SALADS
• Cucumber Tomato Salad (Easy Marinade!)

For more summer side dishes, try this best ever potato salad recipe, gluten-free pasta salad, corn salad with feta cheese, 4th of july fruit salad and our go-to quinoa salad.

You also might like this easy, berry homemade lemonade!

Types of Cucumbers

While there are dozens of different types of cucumbers, cucumbers are typically divided into three groups: slicing, pickling, and seedless.

• Slicing cucumbers are the ones typically found in produce bins. They have a tough, waxy skin and are firmer than other varieties, which makes them easy to slice.
• Pickling cucumbers are just how they sound – grown shorter and thicker to be used for pickling.
• Seedless cucumbers, also known as English, burpless, or hothouse, these cucumber varieties typically have smaller seeds and thinner skin. As a result, they are easier to digest. Also, the skin tends to be less bitter than other varieties.

Slicing or seedless varieties is the best type of cucumber to use for this recipe. To reduce the bitter flavor of slicing cucumbers, remove some or all of the skin.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Salad:

• Cucumbers – I usually use hothouse or English cucumbers. Regular cucumbers, persian cucumbers or even heirloom cucumbers will also work!
• Onion: I’ve used all different kinds of onion in this recipe with great results. I like the purple color of red onion, but you can also use sweet onions or yellow onions.
• Tomatoes: Again this recipe is very versatile and you can use any kind of tomato! Cherry tomatoes or roma tomatoes are my year-round go-to, but I especially love making it with good quality heirloom tomatoes in the summer!
• Fresh parsley: For a little flavor and green color! You could also use other fresh herbs like fresh basil leaves or fresh dill.

For the Cucumber Marinade:

• Vinegar: I usually use apple cider vinegar for this cucumber tomato salad recipe. White vinegar, white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar will all work as well! I don’t use balsamic vinegar because it will change the color of the cucumbers.
• Water: You need to add the water to help absorb the sugar and salt/pepper. It also dilutes the vinegar just a touch for the right amount of acidity.
• Sugar – For that perfectly pickled, lightly sweet flavor!
• Olive oil – You can also use a mixture of olive oil and vegetable oil if you prefer.
• Salt & pepper

You also might like this apple cider vinaigrette recipe!

How to Make Cucumber Tomato Salad

STEP ONE: Prep the salad ingredients

• Cut the cucumbers in half lengthwise, then slice to create half-rounds. Slice the red onion very thinly, then cut into 1-inch strips.
• Chop the tomatoes into bite-sized chunks. For cherry or grape tomatoes, just slice them in half.
• Place the vegetables in a large bowl.

STEP TWO: Make the apple cider vinaigrette

• Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or large glass measuring cup until the sugar is completely dissolved.

TIP: Depending on your dietary needs, you can replace the sugar with any granulated sugar substitute. Honey or agave can be used as well, but start with half the amount listed for the sugar and adjust to taste.

STEP THREE: Add dressing to the vegetables

• Pour the dressing over the cucumber and red onion, stirring to coat all the pieces.
• Place the bowl in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours so the vegetables can soak up all of the marinade.
• When you’re ready to serve, drain off most of the excess marinade. Then, mix in the tomatoes and fresh parsley and enjoy!

Make-Ahead/Storage

• MAKE AHEAD: You can make the marinade ahead of time. Then, store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Be sure to shake well before using. Then pour the homemade dressing over the fresh cucumbers the day you’re serving the salad.
• STORAGE: This tomato-cucumber salad will last for 3-4 days in and airtight container in the refrigerator. I think it’s best served a few hours after making it, as the tomatoes tend to get a bit mealy when they are refrigerated.

Recipe Notes

• This recipe ie very versatile! You can use any kind of cucumber, tomato or onion you have on hand. You can also use white, white wine, red wine or apple cider vinegar.
• We like to serve this summer salad alongside smoked or grilled meat as the main dish. (We love this grilled honey sesame chicken!) It’s the perfect side dish for so many dishes.
• It’s also great to bring it as a potluck side. It always disappears quickly!

MORE SUMMER SALADS

Best Quinoa Salad Recipe

Corn Salad with Feta

Best Potato Salad Recipe

Gluten-Free Italian Pasta Salad

I hope you enjoy this refreshing side dish for the summer months as much as we do! If you do, please leave me a comment/rating below. I’d love to hear from you!

This cucumber tomato salad recipe was originally published on 6/25/2015. The post was updated with new photos on 5/21/2020.