Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad

Perfect for summer months, this cucumber tomato salad tossed in a creamy tangy dressing is the most scrumptious patio party dish! Cook time – 20 minutes.

This creamy tomato cucumber salad is a perfect side dish, healthy but also loaded with enough substantive, creamy indulgence to make it delicious—truly perfect for any time of year. Aside from the obviously clean, fresh, and crisp slices of cucumber, red onion, and cherry tomato salad mixture, there’s another ingredient at work here that brings bulk and creaminess to the party: avocado.

I added a mashed avocado to add creaminess and an element of indulgence to my very simple vinaigrette. It’s a little chef’s trick, to add a velvety texture to something, while still keeping it heart-healthy.

Ingredients for Cucumber Tomato Salad

Any salad with this many wholesome ingredients is gonna be a healthy and nutritious option to pile on to your plate at dinnertime.

But let’s take a deeper look at some of benefits you will be reaping from, by eating this delicious salad:

• Avocado: This creamy green fruit is loaded with vitamins K, B and C – and has more potassium than a banana. Avocados are also rich in fiber and fatty acids that are necessary to maintain heart health.
• Cucumber: Low in calories, but high in vitamins and antioxidants, fresh cucumbers are wonderfully hydrating.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Loaded with vitamins E and K, olive oil is also a great source of monounsaturated fats (the good fat) and is said to have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Cherry tomatoes: Bursting with vitamins A, C, K and potassium, these mini-sized fresh tomatoes are also a great source of lycopene. You can also use roma tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes.
• Feta cheese: When stacked up against other types of cheese, feta is lower in fat and calories. It’s a great source of fatty acids, calcium and B vitamins.
• Red onion: Packed with vitamins B and C, onions are nutrient dense, have antibacterial qualities and may even promote digestive health!
• Apple cider vinegar: Aside from it’s yummy tart flavor, apple cider vinegar has been known to kill harmful bacteria. This low calorie flavoring agent is also said to help lower cholesterol and promote heart health.
• Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard has anti-cancer properties and can lower blood sugar levels. It also contains antibacterial and antifungal properties which can protect against infections.
• Dried oregano: Dried oregano is rich in antioxidants which reduces inflammation of the body.
• Salt and pepper: This is more about adding the proper amount of seasoning to make the salad taste good.

Ingredient Variations

This is a list of additional ingredients that you can test out the next time you are trying out this recipe. They are often used in simple salads and recipes similar to this one:

• Fresh dill
• Lemon juice
• White onion
• Fresh herbs
• Garlic powder
• Greek yogurt (as a dressing)
• Full-fat mayonnaise or full-fat sour cream instead of mashing half of the avocado

How to Make Cucumber Tomato Salad

Scroll all the way down to the recipe card for the full recipe.

1. Gather all of your kitchen tools and ingredients.
2. Start by placing all the ingredients for the salad dressing in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Or use a salad dressing shaker, close the lid, and shake vigorously. Set aside.
3. Prepare the cucumber by peeling the cucumber, slicing it lengthwise, scooping out the seeds and center, and chopping it. Add the cucumber to a large bowl.
4. Chop the red onion and tomatoes and add them to the bowl, along with the feta cheese.
5. Slice the avocado in half, peel it and remove the pit. Chop half of it and add it to the salad.
6. Mash the other half, add it to the dressing, and mix well.
7. Pour the dressing over the salad, season with salt and pepper, and toss well. Serve as a side salad, a healthy light lunch, or as part of a main course.

Where to Find the Best Vegetables

You might be thinking, of course I know where to buy fresh vegetables… at a grocery store!

However, I’d like to highly suggest checking out your local farmer’s market. They always have what’s in season, fresh, and straight from the farmer. You can take your loved one and/or children and make a nice little trip out of it.

Enjoy the sunshine, walk around, and buy all the fresh veggies you need! It’s a really beautiful thing and will make the ingredients you use in your meals that much more special.

English cucumber vs regular cucumber

While the forms may look similar, there are some pretty decent differences between the over 100 different varieties of cucumbers grown in the world.

For this post, let’s narrow it down to English cucumbers vs regular cucumbers (also called slicing cucumbers):

• English cucumbers are long and slim, with a thin outer skin and very small seeds. Sometimes called ‘seedless’ or ‘burpless’ cucumbers, they are normally sold at the grocery store unwaxed and wrapped in plastic. They have a sweet, garden fresh taste, a bright crunch – and are perfect for in this creamy cucumber tomato salad.
• Regular cucumbers (aka: slicing cucumbers) tend to be larger with a tougher, more bitter waxed dark green skin. And while they are typically less expensive at the grocery store, they also have a center that is comprised of larger, more watery seeds.

While I prefer English cucumbers to the slicing cucumbers for this recipe – in a pinch you can use whatever the corner grocery store has fresh and handy in the vegetable bins.

How Long Does This Cucumber Tomato Salad Last?

This salad is meant to be enjoyed immediately and shouldn’t be made ahead of time. It’s okay to prep the vegetables but I don’t recommend dressing the salad or cutting the avocado until you are ready to serve it.

Unfortunately, the longer you wait to serve this Mediterranean cucumber salad and the more watery it will get. Best to serve it as soon as it’s mixed!

Did you like this cucumber tomato salad? Are there changes you made that you would like to share? Share your tips and recommendations in the comments section below!

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