Marinated Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad: A Refreshing Summer Delight

This marinated cucumber, onion, and tomato salad is a quintessential summer side dish. It’s light, refreshing, and bursting with flavor. The combination of crisp cucumbers, sweet tomatoes, and sharp onions, all bathed in a tangy and slightly sweet marinade, makes it the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, fish, or even a simple sandwich. What’s more, this salad is incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal effort and readily available ingredients. This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, adaptable to suit your taste preferences, and a fantastic way to use up your summer garden bounty.

Why You’ll Love This Salad

* **Simple and Quick:** This salad comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
* **Refreshing and Light:** The crisp vegetables and tangy marinade create a light and refreshing salad, perfect for hot summer days.
* **Versatile:** This salad pairs well with a variety of dishes, from grilled meats and fish to sandwiches and wraps.
* **Customizable:** Easily adjust the ingredients and marinade to suit your taste preferences.
* **Uses Garden Vegetables:** A great way to use up your fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions from the garden.

Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Cucumbers:** English cucumbers or garden cucumbers work best. If using garden cucumbers with thick skins, peel them first. You’ll need about 2 large cucumbers.
* **Tomatoes:** Choose ripe, juicy tomatoes. Roma, grape, cherry, or beefsteak tomatoes all work well. About 1.5 – 2 lbs are needed.
* **Onion:** Red onion is recommended for its vibrant color and slightly sharp flavor. You can use yellow or white onion if preferred, but they might have a stronger flavor. Use 1/2 a medium sized onion.
* **White Vinegar:** Provides the tanginess for the marinade. Apple cider vinegar can also be used for a slightly different flavor profile. Use about 1/4 cup.
* **Sugar:** Balances the acidity of the vinegar and adds a touch of sweetness. Granulated sugar or honey can be used. Use about 2 tablespoons.
* **Olive Oil:** Adds richness and helps the marinade cling to the vegetables. Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for the best flavor. Use about 2 tablespoons.
* **Fresh Dill:** Adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor to the salad. Fresh parsley or basil can be substituted if dill isn’t available. Use about 2 tablespoons chopped.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste.
* **Optional Ingredients:** Consider adding minced garlic, bell peppers, or hot peppers for an extra kick.

Detailed Instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions to create the perfect marinated cucumber, onion, and tomato salad.

**Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables**

1. **Cucumbers:** Wash the cucumbers thoroughly. If using garden cucumbers with thick skins, peel them. Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. A mandoline slicer can be used for consistent thickness, but a sharp knife works just as well. Place the sliced cucumbers in a large bowl.
2. **Tomatoes:** Wash the tomatoes and remove the cores. Depending on the size of your tomatoes, you can slice them into wedges, halves, or quarters. Cherry or grape tomatoes can simply be halved. Add the tomatoes to the bowl with the cucumbers.
3. **Onion:** Peel the red onion and slice it thinly. You can use a mandoline slicer for this as well. To reduce the sharpness of the onion, you can soak the sliced onion in cold water for about 10 minutes, then drain well. Add the sliced onion to the bowl with the cucumbers and tomatoes.

**Step 2: Make the Marinade**

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the white vinegar, sugar, and olive oil until the sugar is dissolved. Make sure there are no sugar granules left.
2. Add the chopped fresh dill, salt, and pepper to the marinade. Adjust the seasonings to your taste.

**Step 3: Combine and Marinate**

1. Pour the marinade over the vegetables in the large bowl.
2. Gently toss the vegetables to ensure they are evenly coated with the marinade.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid.
4. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes, or preferably 1-2 hours, to allow the flavors to meld. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful it will become. However, don’t marinate it for too long (over 4 hours), as the vegetables can become too soft.

**Step 4: Serve and Enjoy**

1. Before serving, give the salad another gentle toss.
2. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary. You may need to add a little more salt, pepper, or vinegar to your liking.
3. Serve the salad chilled. It’s delicious as a side dish to grilled meats, fish, chicken, or sandwiches. It can also be enjoyed on its own as a light lunch or snack.

Tips for the Best Salad

* **Use Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients:** The quality of the ingredients will directly impact the flavor of the salad. Choose ripe, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and fresh herbs.
* **Slice Vegetables Evenly:** Evenly sliced vegetables will ensure that they marinate properly and have a consistent texture.
* **Don’t Over-Marinate:** While marinating is important for flavor, don’t marinate the salad for too long, as the vegetables can become soggy.
* **Adjust the Sweetness and Tanginess:** Adjust the amount of sugar and vinegar in the marinade to suit your taste preferences. Some people prefer a sweeter salad, while others prefer a more tangy one.
* **Chill Before Serving:** Chilling the salad before serving allows the flavors to meld and makes it more refreshing.
* **Add Optional Ingredients:** Feel free to add other vegetables or herbs to the salad, such as bell peppers, garlic, or basil. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite.
* **Soak Onions for Less Bite:** If you find red onions too strong, soak them in ice water for 10-15 minutes before adding to the salad. This will mellow their flavor.
* **Drain Excess Liquid:** Before serving, you can drain off some of the excess liquid from the salad if you prefer a less watery salad.

Variations

This marinated cucumber, onion, and tomato salad is a versatile dish that can be easily adapted to suit your taste preferences. Here are a few variations to try:

* **Greek Salad Variation:** Add crumbled feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and a sprinkle of oregano for a Greek-inspired twist.
* **Italian Salad Variation:** Add fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for an Italian-inspired salad.
* **Spicy Salad Variation:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a finely chopped jalapeño pepper to the marinade for a spicy kick.
* **Creamy Salad Variation:** Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the marinade for a creamy and tangy dressing.
* **Herby Salad Variation:** Experiment with different herbs, such as parsley, cilantro, or mint, in addition to or instead of dill.
* **Vinegar Variations:** While white vinegar is the standard, you can experiment with other vinegars. Apple cider vinegar provides a slightly sweeter and fruitier flavor. Red wine vinegar adds a more robust, tangy taste. Balsamic vinegar provides a rich, complex sweetness, but use it sparingly as it can overpower the other flavors.
* **Add Protein:** Make it a more substantial meal by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas.

Serving Suggestions

This marinated cucumber, onion, and tomato salad is a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Here are a few serving suggestions:

* **Grilled Meats:** Serve it alongside grilled chicken, steak, pork chops, or sausages.
* **Grilled Fish:** It’s a perfect accompaniment to grilled salmon, tuna, or swordfish.
* **Sandwiches and Wraps:** Add it to sandwiches, wraps, or pitas for a refreshing crunch.
* **Burgers:** Serve it as a side to burgers or veggie burgers.
* **Picnics and Potlucks:** It’s a great dish to bring to picnics, potlucks, or barbecues.
* **Light Lunch:** Enjoy it on its own as a light and refreshing lunch.

Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The vegetables may soften slightly over time.
* **Avoid Freezing:** Freezing is not recommended, as the vegetables will become mushy when thawed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

* **Can I make this salad ahead of time?** Yes, this salad can be made ahead of time. In fact, it tastes even better after it has marinated for a few hours. However, don’t marinate it for more than 4 hours, as the vegetables can become too soft.
* **Can I use different types of cucumbers?** Yes, you can use different types of cucumbers. English cucumbers or garden cucumbers work best. If using garden cucumbers with thick skins, peel them first.
* **Can I use different types of tomatoes?** Yes, you can use different types of tomatoes. Roma, grape, cherry, or beefsteak tomatoes all work well.
* **Can I omit the sugar?** Yes, you can omit the sugar if you prefer a less sweet salad. You can also use a sugar substitute, such as honey or maple syrup.
* **Can I add other vegetables?** Yes, you can add other vegetables to the salad, such as bell peppers, carrots, or celery.
* **The salad is too watery. What can I do?** If the salad is too watery, you can drain off some of the excess liquid before serving. You can also add more cucumbers and tomatoes to absorb some of the liquid.
* **The onions are too strong. What can I do?** If the onions are too strong, you can soak the sliced onion in cold water for about 10 minutes, then drain well. This will help to reduce the sharpness of the onion.

Marinated Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad Recipe

**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Marinating time:** 30 minutes – 2 hours

**Ingredients:**

* 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
* 1.5-2 lbs tomatoes, cored and chopped
* ½ red onion, thinly sliced
* ¼ cup white vinegar
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
* Salt and pepper to taste

**Instructions:**

1. In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the white vinegar, sugar, and olive oil until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Add the chopped fresh dill, salt, and pepper to the marinade. Adjust the seasonings to your taste.
4. Pour the marinade over the vegetables in the large bowl.
5. Gently toss the vegetables to ensure they are evenly coated with the marinade.
6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid.
7. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes, or preferably 1-2 hours, to allow the flavors to meld.
8. Before serving, give the salad another gentle toss.
9. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary.
10. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Enjoy this delicious and refreshing Marinated Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad! It’s the perfect summer side dish.