Marinated Tomato and Cucumber Salad Recipe
A refreshing marinated tomato and cucumber salad featuring ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumber, red onion, and a flavorful dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and Italian seasoning. This easy-to-make salad is enhanced with fresh herbs, lemon juice, and optional leafy greens, making it a perfect light and healthy dish to enjoy as a side or a starter. The salad is allowed to marinate for 30 minutes to an hour to develop rich, vibrant flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2–3 large ripe tomatoes (or 1–1 ½ pounds roma or campari tomatoes)
- 1 English cucumber
- ½ red onion
- 1–2 handfuls fresh kale or arugula (optional, for leafy green base)
- Fresh herbs: basil, dill, parsley, or mint (quantity to taste)
Dressing
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, fresh
- ½–¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning blend*
- Juice of ½–1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste (start with ¼ teaspoon each)
Optional Extras
- Feta, burrata, or mozzarella cheese (for non-vegans, quantity to preference)
Instructions
- Prepare Tomatoes: Dice the large ripe tomatoes into bite-sized pieces or cut smaller tomatoes into wedges for a chunky texture.
- Slice Cucumber: Leave the cucumber unpeeled, slice it lengthwise in half, then cut into thin slices for added crunch.
- Slice Red Onion: Peel and thinly slice the red onion. Use between ¼ to ½ of the onion depending on your taste preference.
- Mince Garlic: Peel the fresh garlic cloves. Use a garlic press or smash the cloves and mince finely to release their flavor.
- Mix Dressing: In a large, wide, and shallow bowl, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Add an initial ¼ teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Whisk well to blend all dressing ingredients.
- Add Extras: Incorporate fresh herbs and lemon juice into the dressing to brighten the flavors further.
- Combine and Marinate: Add the diced tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and red onion to the dressing. Stir gently but thoroughly to coat all vegetables. Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, to marinate. The flavors will intensify if left up to an hour.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the salad and adjust salt and pepper as needed to your preference. Serve the salad over an optional bed of kale or arugula. Add cheese such as feta, burrata, or mozzarella if desired. Enjoy your fresh marinated salad!
Notes
- You can use different types of tomatoes like roma, campari, or traditional slicing tomatoes depending on sweetness and availability.
- Adjust the amount of red onion to your taste if you prefer a milder onion flavor.
- Marinating at room temperature enhances flavor but do not exceed an hour to keep vegetables crisp.
- For a vegan version, omit the cheese or use plant-based alternatives.
- The salad can be served immediately but tastes best after marinating for at least 30 minutes.
- Fresh herbs like basil and dill complement the salad with added aromatic freshness.
