Description
A refreshing and simple Tomato Cucumber Salad featuring juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and aromatic basil, all tossed in a tangy red wine vinaigrette and optionally topped with creamy feta cheese. Perfect as a light side dish or summer appetizer with minimal prep and no cooking required.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large cucumber, sliced into thin rounds or half-moons
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Optional
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Begin by halving the cherry tomatoes and slicing the cucumber and red onion into thin rounds or half-moons. Place all the prepared vegetables into a large mixing bowl.
- Add Basil: Add the torn fresh basil leaves to the bowl with the vegetables, distributing them evenly.
- Make Dressing: In a small separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until well combined to create the dressing.
- Toss Dressing with Vegetables: Pour the dressing over the vegetables and basil in the large bowl.
- Mix Salad: Gently toss all the ingredients together until the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Add Feta Cheese: If using, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the top of the salad.
- Let Flavors Meld: Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before serving; this helps the flavors to blend nicely.
- Serve: Serve the fresh and vibrant Tomato Cucumber Salad as a refreshing side dish and enjoy.
Notes
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative.
- You can add a splash of lemon juice for additional acidity if desired.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator before serving to make it extra refreshing on warm days.
- This salad is best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
