Crisp Tomato, Cucumber, and Onion Salad (Printable)

A refreshing, crunchy salad with ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tangy red onions tossed in a light vinaigrette—perfect for summer meals.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 medium ripe tomatoes, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
02 - 1 large cucumber, sliced into half-moons
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced into rings
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

→ Dressing

05 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
08 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Combine the diced tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion in a large mixing bowl.
02 - Whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until fully emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the salad and toss once more to distribute.
05 - Serve immediately for the crispest texture, or refrigerate for up to 30 minutes before serving for a chilled version.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The vegetables stay crisp and vibrant, never wilting or sad, even after the dressing has been sitting for a while
  • It comes together in literally fifteen minutes but tastes like something you spent much longer thinking about
  • Everyone thinks they know tomato salad until they taste one made with the right balance of acid and good olive oil
02 -
  • Do not add the dressing until right before you plan to serve or the vegetables will start releasing water and become sad and soggy
  • Refrigerating tomatoes dulls their flavor significantly, so try to use room temperature ones for the best taste
  • This salad does not keep well overnight because the vegetables continue to break down even in the refrigerator
03 -
  • Pat your cucumbers dry with a clean kitchen towel after slicing them if you want the dressing to cling better instead of sliding right off
  • A really good quality olive oil makes such a difference here that it is worth buying a small bottle specifically for salads like this

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