Cucumber tomato salad is an all-star recipe with just three key ingredients and a lemony dressing. Enjoy this Mediterranean salad on its own, or to bring brightness and fresh flavor to everything from Chicken Shawarma to Feta And Spinach Frittata.

cucumber tomato salad in a bowl with wooden serving utensils.
Photo Credits: Mariam Hamdy

Cucumber tomato salad goes by a different name where I grew up in Egypt: salata! It is an everyday Mediterranean salad made of three main ingredients: tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley. It’s seasoned simply with kosher salt, though I like to add sumac for a little tang and depth. 

This simple Mediterranean salad is as traditional as they come. It’s very representative of the regions’ agricultural roots and the fresh flavors we continue to love to this day. It where salads like fattoush or tabouli derive inspiration. You can dress it up by adding some red onion, as I do here, or toss in some feta cheese for a little salty goodness. Let inspiration be your guide.

Table of Contents
  1. Ingredients for Cucumber Tomato Salad
  2. How to Make Cucumber Tomato Salad 
  3. Variations 
  4. What to Serve with Cucumber Tomato Salad
  5. Fresh and Simple Salad Recipes to Try! 
  6. Try our All-Natural Sumac!
  7. Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

Ingredients for Cucumber Tomato Salad

This simple salad uses easy to find ingredients that need little embellishment. Just some seasonings and a simple dressing bring out all the lively flavors. 

  • Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes are firm even when they're ripe, so they help keep this salad fresh for a few days. Any ripe flavorful tomato, like heirloom or cherry, can be substituted. 
  • Cucumber: Go for cucumbers with a thin, delicate skin, like English or hot-house. If the big standard slicing cucumbers are all that’s available, consider peeling the skin as it tends to be bitter. 
  • Parsley: Brings freshness and a Mediterranean flavor to this simple salad. Opt for flat leaf or Italian parsley if you can, as curly parsley is typically tougher and more bitter.
  • Seasonings: Salt and black pepper enhance the flavor. Sumac, a spice made from dried and ground berries of the sumac shrub, is optional. It adds an extra layer of brightness. If you don’t have any on hand you can find it at most grocery stores or order our favorite sumac from our shop. Of, a pinch of finely grated lemon zest can be used in its place. 
  • Extra virgin olive oil: Use a robust yet smooth olive oil, like Greek Early Harvest or peppery Hojiblanca Spanish EVOO.
  • Lemon juice: A fresh squeeze of lemon juice bridges the gap between the fresh vegetables and rich olive oil. 

How to Make Cucumber Tomato Salad 

Cucumber tomato salad is a staple of the Mediterranean diet, and not just because of its bright, fresh flavor. It’s one of the simplest salads you’ll make, coming together in just a few minutes. It’s a great go-to for when you need something green on your table but don’t have time to fuss. Here is how it goes:

  • Prepare the tomatoes, cucumber, and parsley: Dice 6 Roma tomatoes. Dice one large English cucumber into small cubes or pieces. Chop a good bunch of parsley, about ¾ bunch. Don’t worry about picking all the leaves, the tender stems near the leaves impart great flavor. Combine everything in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add kosher salt. Season the salad with a good pinch of kosher salt and set aside for about 5 minutes. The vegetables will expel some of their water, which we’ll use to help lightly dress the salad.  
  • Add the dressing. The traditional Mediterranean salad dressing here is a good drizzle (about 2 tablespoons) of quality extra virgin olive oil and the juice of one lemon (or at least 2 teaspoons of lemon juice). Add ½ teaspoon freshly grated black pepper and mix to combine. Optionally, I like adding 1 teaspoon of sumac for depth and tang.
  • Taste and serve. Taste the salad and adjust the lemon, salt, and pepper to your liking. Serve immediately, or set aside for 15 minutes to let the flavors get friendly with each other. 

Variations 

This basic Mediterranean salad has several variations throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and you can change it up to your liking. Here are a few ideas:

  • Add finely chopped aliums. Red onions, shallots, or green onions would add some bold yet sweet oniony flavor.
  • Add protein. Canned or boiled chickpeas, white beans, or kidney beans work well with as a vegan protein and turn this salad into a satisfying meal. Grilled meats, like grilled chicken thighs or kofta kebab would also be hearty and delicious. If you're feeling fishy, grab a can of tuna from your pantry.
  • Use more fresh herbs! In addition to parsley, you can add some chopped fresh mint or dill.
  • Toss in some feta cheese! Just like with classic Greek salad or herby tomato feta salad, creamy, tangy feta adds another layer of deliciousness to this cucumber tomato salad. 
  • Make one cup of cooked couscous and toss it in this salad for a simple lunch. You'll want to adjust seasoning and olive oil.

What to Serve with Cucumber Tomato Salad

This versatile salad goes with just about any Mediterranean dinner menu. It’s a classic topping for Chicken Shawarma or vegetarian Spicy Cauliflower Shawarma, where the salad juices and tahini sauce combine in the most fortunate way. 

Or, serve this simple salad as a side for simple weeknight dinners, like Greek-Style Braised Eggplant or Pan Seared Trout. A bite here and there of the bright salad brings a lightness to rich, deeply savory dishes. 

Fresh and Simple Salad Recipes to Try! 

Browse all Mediterranean recipes.

Visit our Shop.

Try our All-Natural Sumac!

This tangy spice is just what you need to add that extra layer of brightness to your favorite salads.

a jar of sumac from the mediterranean dish.
4.94 from 152 votes

Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad

Suzy Karadsheh
cucumber tomato salad in a bowl with wooden serving utensils.
You'll love this everyday cucumber and tomato salad, with just a handful of ingredients and no cooking involved. You can change it up by adding feta cheese, chickpeas, or even a cup of cooked couscous to turn it into a meal!
Prep – 10 minutes
Cook – 0 minutes
Total – 10 minutes
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Serves – 6 people (up to)
Course:
Salad

Ingredients
  

  • 6 Roma tomatoes, diced (about 3 cups diced tomatoes)
  • 1 large English or hot-house cucumber, diced
  • ½ small red onion, thinly sliced, optional
  • ¾ bunch parsley, leaves and tender stems chopped (about ½-3/4 cup chopped leaves)
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground Sumac
  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus more to taste

Instructions
 

  • Mix: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley. Season with kosher salt and toss. Set aside for 5 minutes or so.
  • Season: Add the sumac, olive oil, and lemon juice. Give the salad a gentle toss. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • For best flavor, set the salad aside for a few minutes before serving. This will give the flavors time to meld. 
  • This salad will keep for up to three days. Store covered in the refrigerator.
  • Visit Our Shop for quality Mediterranean ingredients, including extra virgin olive oil, spices and more! 

Nutrition

Calories: 66.9kcalCarbohydrates: 5.8gProtein: 1.2gFat: 4.9gSaturated Fat: 0.7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.5gSodium: 8.6mgPotassium: 277.3mgFiber: 1.4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1170.4IUVitamin C: 20.7mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 0.8mg
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*This post was originally published in 2017 and has recently been updated with new information and media for the readers’ benefit.

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I'm Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I'm all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you're here...
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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I simply loved preparing and tasting this wonderful salade. I also used sumac which is a great spice when using fresh tomatoes. The Armenians use parsley, tomatoes and Bermuda onions in a salade know as paeaz seasoned with sumac, pepper and salt. Your recipe is indeed grande. Much thanks for sharing. Take care and be well.

  2. 4 stars
    Fantastic easy salad that went great with falafel and your tahini sauce. Came across your blog this summer and loving the recipes! Giving this recipe 4 stars instead of 5 stars because the title is really misleading. It's called 3 ingredient salad but there's 8 ingredients? I don't quite understand that (especially since one of those ingredients, sumac, might not be in everyone's pantry.....I had never used it (or heard of it) before this recipe.

    1. Hi Jane, It sounds like the recipe was a winner for you. And if you've read the post, you could see what the title was all about 🙂

  3. This looks awesome and I plan on making it as my new all time lunch menu item. Question: can this be made as a meal prep and stored in the fridge for 4-5 days.

  4. Hi! I plan on making this salad along with couscous and braised lamb shank. I do not have sumac, but i DO have za'tar i am wondering if it might overwhelm a bit? Possibly use less? Or just leave out entirely? I know it has sumac in it... and i LOVE za'tar.... what are your thoughts? Thank you!

  5. Thanks, this looks delicious and I want to put it in a pita bread.. If I make a lot, how long will it last rerigerated?

  6. 5 stars
    I love this recipe! I've made it several times ? This week I needed a quick version so I used shredded rotisserie chicken and the same spice blend. {ground instead of whole} Just as good when in a time crunch!

    Thank you for all your wonderful recipes I have so many of them in my regular rotation! & as an American woman I finally feel am able to happily feed my Palestinian husband with recipes I can execute that don't have me spending all day in the kitchen!

    1. 5 stars
      ***CORRECTION***
      I left my comment under the wrong recipe!
      My original comment was for the Lebanese Chicken Dinner Bowls

  7. 5 stars
    I've been making this recipe week after week; so good. Have also added celery and green peppers which are even better but the green pepper gets a little wimpy after the first day which doesn't happen to the tomatoes and cucumbers. Cuke now in fridge, tomatoes ripening on top of fridge. And we have new parsley plants in the ground so the next batch will be even better than those made with last year's parsley which had gotten a little bitter. Can't wait to make.!

  8. 5 stars
    This salad was a big hit! It looks so simple, but the Sumac really picked up the flavor. I've already made it twice in the last 2 weeks.