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!
Tomato, Cucumber Onion Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups roma tomatoes chopped
- 2 and 1/2 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
- 1/2 cup of rice vinegar
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and toss well. Refrigerate and let chill and marinate 2-4 hours before serving.
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
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!
Kristi says
YES! I had a million tomatoes last year too Sarah! It’s a great use for them. Thank you so much for the pin!
mimi says
Delicious! I love that you use rice vinegar!
Kristi says
I love it Mimi! I hope you do too!
whatjessicabakednext says
This salad sounds amazing! I love the simplicity- and it would be great to pack up for a picnic!
Kristi says
That’s what I love too Jessica – simplicity! I hope you love it!!!
Kristi says
That’s what I love about it too Jessica – the simplicity! I hope you love it!!!
Pam says
This salad is right up my alley….I’m going to make it to take to my Book Club next Sunday!
Kristi says
Thanks Pam! You will love it! 🙂 It’s so fresh, crispy, tart and delicious! Have a GREAT Book Club!
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
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!
Kristi says
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!!!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Lovely summer salad, love all the freshness! The color is pretty too!
Kristi says
Thanks Pamela! It tastes as good as the colors look! And, I know how much you love garden vegetables!
miss messy says
What a lovely simple salad. This looks delicious! 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks! It is so simple and you’ll love the flavor!
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
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 😀
Kristi says
So glad you like it Cindy! I think it’s a great ‘safe’ salad too! Have a beautiful week!
Kelly says
Love this cucumber salad Kristi! It looks so fresh and tasty! Perfect for summer 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Kelly! I think you’ll love it!
marcie says
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. 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Marcie! I love that it’s fresh, bright, delicious and safe for picnics! Have a great week!
ananda says
so refreshing, just what i need for a beach day picnic! the addition of tarragon and celery sounds amazing!
Kristi says
Thanks Ananda! I think this sounds GREAT for a beach picnic! The tarragon does add a great flavor! Enjoy!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
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!
Kristi says
I agree! Yuck! Warm mayo in the sun – no thanks! Add this to your salad collection. 🙂
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Cucumbers and tomatoes are always so refreshing during the hot summer months. Great 4th of July side dish!
Kristi says
Yes Christin! I completely agree! Have a fabulous week!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
Simple and delish? Yes please! 🙂 I’ve been loving vinegar-y foods lately, so this is coming at the perfect time, Kristi! YUM.
Kristi says
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. 😉
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
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!
Kristi says
I agree Ashley! Have a great week!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Delicious! Love the acidity of the vinegar. This reminds me a lot of salad you find accompanying Indian food in restaurants sometimes 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Medha! Have a great week!
Johlene says
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
Kristi says
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! 🙂
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I’ve made something similar to this before, but yours looks even better!!
Kristi says
Thanks Ashley – I think you’ll love it!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Kristi, I wish we were going into summer but I’ll have to content myself with drooling over your salad recipes instead! 😀
Kristi says
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!
Consuelo - Honey & Figs says
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! 🙂
Kristi says
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!
Ashley says
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!
Kristi says
Yes! The marinating makes a big difference. I’ve tried it both ways. Have a great week Ashley!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
Beautiful fresh and refreshing salad! Perfect for my diet too.
Kristi says
Thanks Daniela!
Renee@Two in the Kitchen says
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!!!!
Kristi says
Thanks Renee! I’m a huge lover of onions, but this would be just as good with tomatoes and cucumbers!
diane kaye says
I added some fedda cheese…YUM YUM!!!
Thanks for the posting:)
Kristi says
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! 🙂
Linda @ Food Huntress says
One of my favorite salads. Can’t wait for some fresh tomatoes this summer!
Kristi says
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!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
This salad is screaming summer!! Looks gorgeous! 😉
Kristi says
Thanks Cyndi! Yes, I am craving summer! And, I thought this salad went perfectly with summer!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
Great salad! I love the simplicity of if and how refreshing it would be. Love that you use rice vinegar.
Kristi says
Thanks Michelle! This was such a great summertime salad – and perfect for picnics because it doesn’t spoil! Have a lovely Saturday!