Fresh & Zesty Ina Garten Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

Cucumber tomato salad bursts with vibrant Mediterranean flavors that dance across your palate.

Summer’s most refreshing combination brings crisp textures and bright colors to any meal.

Cool cucumbers mingle seamlessly with juicy tomatoes, creating a delightful sensory experience.

Fresh ingredients transform simple vegetables into a spectacular side dish that feels both elegant and approachable.

The harmonious blend of crunchy and soft elements promises a delectable adventure for your taste buds.

Each colorful bite offers a perfect balance of tangy and sweet notes that complement multiple main courses.

Gather your ingredients and prepare for a culinary journey that celebrates seasonal produce and simple, wholesome cooking: Get ready to savor every refreshing moment!

Tips for Balancing Flavors Without Overdressing

• Select Peak-Seasonal Produce: Grab crisp, vibrant vegetables from local farmers markets for maximum flavor and freshness.
• Master the Perfect Slice: Cut cucumbers and tomatoes uniformly to ensure even seasoning and attractive presentation.
• Balance Vinaigrette Carefully: Whisk dressing ingredients slowly to create a smooth, well-integrated flavor that coats vegetables perfectly.
• Prep Ahead for Enhanced Taste: Make salad up to 2 hours before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and develop deeper, more complex flavors.
• Elevate with Fresh Herbs: Chop basil or parsley right before serving to add bright, aromatic notes that transform the entire dish.

How to Store Without Losing Freshness

• Refrigeration Method: Seal the salad in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness. Consume within 48 hours for optimal flavor and crispness, as cucumber and tomato release moisture quickly.
• Draining Technique: Place a paper towel at the bottom of the storage container to absorb excess liquid and prevent soggy vegetables. Gently pat cucumber and tomato pieces dry before storing to extend the salad's crisp texture.
• Separation Strategy: Keep dressing separate from vegetables until serving time. Store dressed salad components individually in sealed containers, mixing just before eating to preserve the ingredients' individual textures and prevent wilting.

Refreshing Variations for a Garden Touch

• Mediterranean Herb Boost: Enhance the salad by adding fresh chopped basil, mint, and parsley for an extra layer of herbaceous flavor that brightens the entire dish.
• Protein Power Salad: Transform the recipe by incorporating grilled chicken, chickpeas, or canned tuna to create a more substantial and filling meal perfect for lunch or light dinner.
• Spicy Greek Fusion: Kick up the heat by adding sliced jalapeños, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, and a dash of harissa paste to give the classic salad a fiery Mediterranean-inspired profile.
• Quinoa Mediterranean Mix: Replace half the vegetables with cooked quinoa to add protein, texture, and create a more hearty grain-based salad that works as a complete meal or side dish.

Cucumber Tomato Salad Recap

Cucumber tomato salad emerges as Mediterranean magic on plates across home kitchens.

Ina Garten’s recipe transforms simple ingredients into culinary poetry with remarkable ease.

Mediterranean flavors dance together, creating harmony between crisp vegetables and tangy vinaigrette.

Feta cheese and olives provide sophisticated Mediterranean accents that elevate this classic dish.

Summer memories bloom within each colorful bite of this refreshing salad.

When hunger calls and simplicity beckons, this cucumber tomato salad becomes your delicious answer – so snap that photo, share the recipe, and let culinary inspiration spread like sunshine across social media platforms.

Why You’ll Love Cucumber Tomato Salad

• Crafting Vibrant Mediterranean Flavor Fusion: This salad bursts with fresh, zesty ingredients that transport your taste buds straight to a sunny Greek coastline, blending crisp vegetables with tangy feta and bright vinaigrette.
• Mastering Simple Gourmet Technique: The recipe showcases a professional chef's emulsion method, transforming basic ingredients into an elegant dish through careful whisking and strategic olive oil incorporation, making complex cooking accessible to home cooks.
• Elevating Texture and Taste Harmony: Crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, sharp red onions, and briny olives create a multi-dimensional sensory experience with contrasting textures and complementary flavor profiles that dance delightfully on your palate.
• Quick No-Cook Summer Entertaining Solution: This versatile salad requires minimal preparation time, can be made ahead, and serves as a perfect side dish for gatherings, picnics, or casual dinner parties, offering maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort.

What You’ll Need for This Summer Favorite

• Cucumber: Crisp base with light, refreshing texture, best when firm and bright green.
• Tomatoes: Juicy sweetness adding vibrant color, choose ripe and firm Roma or vine-ripened varieties.
• Red Onion: Sharp flavor providing zesty bite, select small to medium size for balanced taste.
• Bell Peppers: Crunchy element with subtle sweetness, mix colors for visual appeal.

• Olive Oil: Smooth binding agent for vinaigrette, extra virgin recommended for rich flavor.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Tangy acid balancing the salad, adds bright Mediterranean profile.
• Garlic: Aromatic punch enhancing overall taste, fresh cloves preferred over pre-minced.
• Dijon Mustard: Creamy emulsifier creating smooth dressing consistency.
• Dried Oregano: Herbaceous Mediterranean seasoning with earthy undertones.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for enhancing and balancing flavors.

• Feta Cheese: Salty, creamy cheese adding Mediterranean character, prefer authentic Greek style.
• Kalamata Olives: Briny, rich flavor providing Mediterranean authenticity, pitted for easier eating.

How to Toss Together a Crisp and Juicy Salad

Step 1: Chop Fresh Vegetables

Dice cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes, and red onion into bite-sized pieces. Transfer all chopped vegetables into a spacious mixing bowl.

Step 2: Create Zesty Vinaigrette

• Minced garlic
• Dried oregano
• Dijon mustard
• Red wine vinegar
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Whisk ingredients together, then gradually stream in olive oil while continuously whisking to create a smooth, well-blended dressing.

Step 3: Marry Flavors Together

Pour vinaigrette over chopped vegetables. Gently sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and sliced kalamata olives on top. Carefully toss ingredients to ensure even coating with dressing.

Step 4: Allow Salad to Develop Depth

Let salad rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. This resting period allows herbs and dressing to infuse vegetables with rich, tangy flavors.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer salad to serving dish. Serve at room temperature as a refreshing side dish perfect for summer gatherings or light meals. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Ina Garten Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired cucumber tomato salad from Ina Garten blends crisp vegetables with tangy herbs and zesty dressing. Fresh ingredients create a light, refreshing side dish perfect for summer gatherings or quick weeknight meals.

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Ingredients

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Vegetables:

• 1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and sliced ¼-inch thick
• 1 red bell pepper, large-diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, large-diced
• 1 pint (473 milliliters) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• ½ red onion, sliced in half-rounds
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cheese and Olives:

• ½ pound (227 grams) feta cheese, ½-inch diced (not crumbled)
• ½ cup calamata olives, pitted

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup good red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup good olive oil

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Instructions

1. Combine diced cucumber, sliced bell peppers, chopped tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of vegetables.
2. In a separate small bowl, craft the vinaigrette by vigorously whisking minced garlic, dried oregano, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well integrated.
3. Gradually stream extra virgin olive oil into the whisked mixture, continuously stirring to create a smooth, emulsified dressing that will coat the vegetables perfectly.
4. Gently pour the prepared vinaigrette over the vegetable medley, ensuring each piece is lightly coated with the aromatic dressing.
5. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and kalamata olives over the salad, using a delicate folding motion to incorporate the ingredients without bruising the vegetables.
6. Allow the salad to rest at ambient temperature for approximately 30 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify, creating a harmonious Mediterranean-inspired dish.
7. Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and ingredients, presenting the vibrant mixture at room temperature for optimal taste and texture.

Notes

• Use a Good Olive Oil: High-quality olive oil transforms the vinaigrette’s taste, adding depth and richness that elevates the entire salad’s flavor profile.
• Dice Feta Properly: Precise 1/2-inch cubes maintain the cheese’s structural integrity, creating perfect bite-sized pieces that distribute evenly throughout the dish.
• Adjust Vinaigrette to Taste: Personalize the dressing by tasting and tweaking salt, pepper, and vinegar levels to match your unique flavor preferences.
• Chill Before Serving: Allowing the salad to rest for 30 minutes enables ingredients to mingle, intensifying the overall taste and allowing flavors to develop completely.
• Use Fresh Vegetables: Select crisp, firm vegetables at peak freshness to guarantee maximum crunch, brightness, and authentic Mediterranean-style salad experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg