A light, low-fat, refreshing Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad that marinates in a vinegar dressing that’s perfect for summertime picnics!
This is one of our very favorite salads. Marinated in a simple vinegar dressing and topped with salt and pepper makes it simple – yet, light, fresh, and delicious. I can’t think of many things better than that for summertime picnics!
With the 4th of July coming up (it’s almost here!), you can never have too many salad recipes at your disposal. With picnics, barbeques and general grilling, having an arsenal of packable salads like these:
Or, my most popular recipe here on IK:
And my personal favorite:
will mean that you won’t be scrambling for a recipe! These are all tried and true options!
What you’ll love about this one is – it’s picnic packable! You just make it ahead, let the flavors marinate and it’s ready to go, making it perfect to share at outdoor barbeques or picnics. Set it and forget it…I love that!
And you’ll love the garlic-y, vinegar-y tart bite. So fresh!
Enjoy!
- 3 cups roma tomatoes, chopped
- 2 and ½ cups cucumber, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 2 cups yellow onions, coarsely chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 to 2 teaspoons tarragon
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup of rice vinegar
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and toss well. Refrigerate and let chill and marinate 2-4 hours before serving.
Anything salad always catches my attention this time of year. This salad is like the PERFECT way to use up my overabundance of garden tomatoes and cucumbers! It looks soooo fresh and tasty! I so want it for lunch today. Awesome photos too, Kristi! 🙂 Pinned!
YES! I had a million tomatoes last year too Sarah! It’s a great use for them. Thank you so much for the pin!
Delicious! I love that you use rice vinegar!
I love it Mimi! I hope you do too!
This salad sounds amazing! I love the simplicity- and it would be great to pack up for a picnic!
That’s what I love too Jessica – simplicity! I hope you love it!!!
That’s what I love about it too Jessica – the simplicity! I hope you love it!!!
This salad is right up my alley….I’m going to make it to take to my Book Club next Sunday!
Thanks Pam! You will love it! 🙂 It’s so fresh, crispy, tart and delicious! Have a GREAT Book Club!
Mmmmmm I loveeeeeee the refreshing flavors in this salad Kristi!!!!!! Onions, tomatoes and cucumbers are my favorite salad ingredients and I often mix them with yogurt and eat it for dinner! Adding vinegar and garlic sounds like such a refreshing touch! Need to make this version! Pinning!
OMGosh!!! I never thought to mix them with yogurt for breakfast Samina! You KNOW how I love unusual breakfast items! I’m adding this to my list! Thank you for the pin!!!
Lovely summer salad, love all the freshness! The color is pretty too!
Thanks Pamela! It tastes as good as the colors look! And, I know how much you love garden vegetables!
What a lovely simple salad. This looks delicious! 🙂
Thanks! It is so simple and you’ll love the flavor!
Looks delicious Kristi! I love the simplify of this salad. I also love that it is a safe picnic salad. No worries about mayo or another cream getting yucky. Have a great week, friend 😀
So glad you like it Cindy! I think it’s a great ‘safe’ salad too! Have a beautiful week!
Love this cucumber salad Kristi! It looks so fresh and tasty! Perfect for summer 🙂
Thanks Kelly! I think you’ll love it!
This looks fresh, simple, and delicious, Kristi! I love eating different types of salads to change things up, and this would be a great one to add to my ever-growing list. I love all those crunchy veggies. 🙂
Thanks Marcie! I love that it’s fresh, bright, delicious and safe for picnics! Have a great week!
so refreshing, just what i need for a beach day picnic! the addition of tarragon and celery sounds amazing!
Thanks Ananda! I think this sounds GREAT for a beach picnic! The tarragon does add a great flavor! Enjoy!
This is the salad that should replace traditional potato salad at hot summer bbq’s! Seriously who wants warm mayo dressing that has been sitting out n the sun?! Ummm not me. But I’d reach for this refreshing salad any day!
I agree! Yuck! Warm mayo in the sun – no thanks! Add this to your salad collection. 🙂
Cucumbers and tomatoes are always so refreshing during the hot summer months. Great 4th of July side dish!
Yes Christin! I completely agree! Have a fabulous week!
Simple and delish? Yes please! 🙂 I’ve been loving vinegar-y foods lately, so this is coming at the perfect time, Kristi! YUM.
Me too Alyssa! I don’t know what it is – but when it’s hot out – that’s what I crave. Light with lots of vinegar! Must be the season. 😉
Cucumber and tomato salad is one of my favorite refreshing salads to make in the summer. I usually have so many cucumbers and tomatoes from my garden that I make a similar salad at least once a week. So easy and healthy!
I agree Ashley! Have a great week!
Delicious! Love the acidity of the vinegar. This reminds me a lot of salad you find accompanying Indian food in restaurants sometimes 🙂
Thanks Medha! Have a great week!
This is a lovely summer salad! So fresh! I might add some pineapples for me cause I have a sweet tooth 🙂 🙂
ps. when I see all these summer bbq recipes, it makes me wish I was American so that I could celebrate 4th of July too..lol
Ooooo – pineapples sounds awesome in this Johlene – what a great idea! And you know what? Go ahead and celebrate 4th of July if you want too! We’ll let you and celebrate with you! 🙂
I’ve made something similar to this before, but yours looks even better!!
Thanks Ashley – I think you’ll love it!
Kristi, I wish we were going into summer but I’ll have to content myself with drooling over your salad recipes instead! 😀
Hahahaha! Thanks Lorraine – knowing some of the things you make and the places you go to eat, I’ll trade you a summer for it! 🙂 Have a great week!
I too love this salad combo! It’s a must-make in summer season when my garden is overflowing with zucchinis and tomatoes! Your vinaigrette looks especially delicious! 🙂
Thanks Consuelo! I didn’t have time to plant a garden this year. I’m so sad about that and am going to miss my vegetables!
I love mixing up tomato and cucumber for a quick salad but I never think to marinate it! I’m going to try this next time instead – it looks awesome!
Yes! The marinating makes a big difference. I’ve tried it both ways. Have a great week Ashley!
Beautiful fresh and refreshing salad! Perfect for my diet too.
Thanks Daniela!
I love this salad Kristi! …..except the onions…..believe it or not, I am not an onion person. But I could go all day on cucumbers and tomatoes!!!!
Thanks Renee! I’m a huge lover of onions, but this would be just as good with tomatoes and cucumbers!
I added some fedda cheese…YUM YUM!!!
Thanks for the posting:)
Yeah Diane! I am so glad you liked it! Feta cheese sounds like a perfect addition for this salad! I wished I would’ve thought of that! 🙂
One of my favorite salads. Can’t wait for some fresh tomatoes this summer!
Thanks Linda! It’s such a light, healthy and easy way to get vegetables! And, I find myself craving salads like these when the weather is hot!
This salad is screaming summer!! Looks gorgeous! 😉
Thanks Cyndi! Yes, I am craving summer! And, I thought this salad went perfectly with summer!
Great salad! I love the simplicity of if and how refreshing it would be. Love that you use rice vinegar.
Thanks Michelle! This was such a great summertime salad – and perfect for picnics because it doesn’t spoil! Have a lovely Saturday!