This cucumber tomato salad is a crunchy, refreshing mix of sliced cucumbers and diced tomatoes tossed together in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It's like a burst of sunshine on your plate, perfect for any time you're craving something light and tasty!

It's quick to prepare with minimal cooking involved, making it perfect for meal prep when you're short on time.

Cucumbers and tomatoes are low in calories but high in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making this salad a healthy choice for meal prep. It's also super easy to pack in lunch containers or mason jars, making it a convenient option for on-the-go lunches or snacks.

What you’ll need to make this salad:

Cucumbers: Look for firm cucumbers without any soft spots. English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers work well because they have thin skin and fewer seeds, but you can use any variety you prefer. If you're using regular cucumbers with thicker skin, you might want to peel them first.
Tomatoes: Choose ripe, firm tomatoes for the best flavor. Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes can be used whole or halved, while larger tomatoes can be diced. Heirloom tomatoes add color and variety if you can find them.
Red Onion (optional): Red onion adds a bit of sharpness and color to the salad. If you find the flavor of raw onion too strong, you can soak the sliced onion in cold water for a few minutes to mellow it out before adding it to the salad.
Feta Cheese: Use crumbled feta cheese for convenience. You can use traditional cow's milk feta or try sheep's milk feta for a richer flavor. If you prefer a milder cheese, you can substitute feta with goat cheese or mozzarella pearls.
Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing: You can use store-bought balsamic vinaigrette dressing for convenience, or you can make your own using balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper. Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the dressing according to your preference.

Notes:

How can I make the salad more filling? To make the salad more filling, you can add protein sources like grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu. You can also incorporate grains such as quinoa, couscous, or farro to add more substance to the salad.
How can I prevent the salad from becoming watery? To prevent the salad from becoming watery, you can deseed the tomatoes before dicing them. This will reduce the moisture content in the salad. Additionally, you can sprinkle a little salt over the cucumbers and let them sit for a few minutes before assembling the salad. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Easy Cucumber Tomato Salad

What you’ll need to make this salad:

Notes: