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Cucumber, Tomato & Sweet Onion Salad with Vinegar-Olive Oil Dressing

There is something wonderfully refreshing about a simple salad made with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and sweet onion. This cucumber, tomato, and onion salad is a classic example of how a handful of everyday ingredients can come together to make something incredibly flavorful.

The vegetables are sliced and tossed in a tangy vinegar and olive oil dressing, then finished with freshly ground black pepper. The vinegar adds brightness, the olive oil rounds out the sharpness, and the pepper gives the salad just enough savory warmth.

It is an especially good choice when you want a quick side dish without turning on the stove. It can be served alongside grilled chicken, roasted meats, sandwiches, burgers, or almost any summer meal.

Why You’ll Love This Salad

Quick and easy: The entire salad comes together in minutes.
Fresh and crisp: Cucumbers and tomatoes provide plenty of natural crunch and juiciness.
Simple ingredients: No complicated dressing or specialty ingredients are needed.
Make-ahead friendly: A short resting time allows the vegetables to absorb more flavor.
Versatile: Serve it as a side dish, light lunch accompaniment, or picnic salad.

Ingredients

For the Salad

2 large cucumbers
3 medium ripe tomatoes
1 small sweet onion
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Vinegar-Olive Oil Dressing

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
A small pinch of salt

You can use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or red wine vinegar depending on the flavor you prefer. A mild vinegar works particularly well because it brightens the vegetables without overpowering them.

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Cucumbers

Start by washing the cucumbers thoroughly under cool running water. Pat them dry, then slice them into thin rounds.

If the cucumber has a particularly thick or tough skin, you can peel it partially or completely. Otherwise, leaving the peel on adds color, texture, and a pleasant fresh flavor.

Place the sliced cucumbers into a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Slice the Tomatoes

Wash and dry the tomatoes. Remove the stem ends, then cut the tomatoes into thin wedges or bite-sized slices.

Try to choose tomatoes that are ripe but still firm enough to hold their shape. Very soft tomatoes can release a lot of liquid and make the salad watery.

Add the tomatoes to the bowl with the cucumbers.

Step 3: Prepare the Sweet Onion

Peel the sweet onion and cut it in half. Slice it thinly into half-moon pieces.

Sweet onions are ideal for this salad because they provide a gentle onion flavor without being as sharp as some stronger varieties.

If you prefer a milder onion flavor, place the sliced onion in a bowl of cold water for about 5–10 minutes. Drain it thoroughly and pat it dry before adding it to the salad.