Marinated Cucumber, Onion & Tomato Salad

A refreshing, crunchy salad with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and thinly sliced onions tossed in a tangy homemade marinade. It’s perfect as a side dish for grilled meat, BBQ, burgers, or sandwiches.

Ingredients

For the Salad

• 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 3 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 small red or white onion, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped — optional

For the Marinade

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp sugar or honey
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard — optional

Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables: Slice the cucumbers and onions thinly. Cut the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.
2. Make the marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and Dijon mustard.
3. Combine: Add the cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, parsley, and dill to a large bowl.
4. Marinate: Pour the dressing over the vegetables and gently toss until everything is well coated.
5. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For a deeper flavor, let it marinate for 1–2 hours.
6. Serve: Give the salad another gentle toss before serving. Taste and add extra salt, vinegar, or lemon juice if needed.

⭐ Tips for the Best Salad

• Use English or Persian cucumbers for extra crunch.
• If your tomatoes are very juicy, remove some of the seeds to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
• Slice the onion very thinly so it absorbs the marinade.
• For a slightly sweet-and-tangy flavor, use honey instead of sugar.
• Add feta cheese for a creamy, Mediterranean-style variation.
• For some heat, add sliced jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Marinating time: 30 minutes–2 hours
Servings: 4–6