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Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

Mediterranean Cucumber Salad is a refreshing salad that pairs really well with butterflied roast chicken, grilled meats and my Italian chicken cutlets!

This salad is ideal for summer lunches and outdoor dining but the best part is that you can whip this up in less than 15 minutes!!

mediterranean cucumber salad on white plate with tomatoes and parsley in the background.

Why you’ll love this recipe

When cucumbers and tomatoes are at their prime, it’s a perfect time to make this Mediterranean Cucumber Salad. This salad highlights the best of summer vegetables.

This wonderful salad is super fast to prepare and is really popular at summer parties and beach picnics.

It’s a tasty combination including parsley and a tasty Italian dressing. Plus all of these ingredients contain a lot of water which makes this Mediterranean Cucumber Salad very refreshing – perfect to pair with my Gnocchi Carbonara!

For complete ingredient quantities and full instructions, please scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Ingredient notes

ingredients for cucumber tomato onion salad.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy salad.

  • English or continental cucumber – that’s the long, thin ones
  • tomatoes – a variety of colors and sizes is good but be sure to choose sweet ripe ones
  • red onion
  • Italian (flat leaf) parsley
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • white wine vinegar

Plus a little sugar and salt and pepper to taste. So simple!!

Variations

  • substitute fresh basil or mint for the parsley
  • use red wine vinegar instead of white wine vinegar
  • serve with my delicious instant pot cauliflower as a tasty side dish

Instructions

It couldn’t be more easy or quick to make this salad!!

3-step photo collage showing how to prepare this salad.
  1. Slice vegetables and chop parsley.
  2. Combine salad dressing and mix through vegetables and parsley.

Tips for success and FAQ’s

There are a few tips that are important when making this Mediterranean Cucumber salad. The most important is to taste and season correctly. Salt brings out the flavors and the only way to know is to taste.

Also let the salad stand for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

English (continental) cucumber have thin skin so it’s not necessary to peel them. However I like to just peel a few strips down the cucumber so that the green and white is alternating. It looks so pretty!

Can I make this salad in advance?

These ingredients contain a lot of water so if the salad is made in advance it will become watery. It’ll still be tasty but won’t look as fresh and vibrant.

Can I use regular salad cucumbers?

Yes. However it’s best to completely peel salad cucumbers and remove the seeds before using in this salad.

cucumber tomato onion salad on white plate with tomatoes and parsley nearby viewed from above.

More recipes like this one

Greek Couscous Salad
Green Bean Salad
Brown Rice Salad
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
Artichoke Salad

Made this recipe?
Let me know if you liked it by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating and a review below. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter – it’s free!

close up of cucumber tomato onion salad on white plate with tomatoes and parsley in the background

Mediterranean Cucumber Recipe

A refreshing combination of cucumber tomato and onion plus parsley and a tasty Italian dressing.
5 from 31 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings:4 people
Author: Marcellina

Ingredients

  • 1 English (continental) cucumber
  • 5 (approx 1 pound or 500 grams) tomatoes see notes
  • ¼ red onion
  • cup chopped Italian parsley

Italian Dressing

  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
  • teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Partly peel the cucumber and slice. Cut the large tomatoes into thin wedges and the smaller tomatoes (if using) into chunks. Thinly slice the onion.
  • Place all the vegetables and parsley in a large bowl. Pour dressing over and combine gently. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  • Transfer to a serving bowl. Allow to stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Italian Dressing

  • In a small bowl, combine all the salad ingredients

Notes

Tomatoes
Use any tomatoes you like – salad tomatoes, cherry, grape and other assorted sizes and colour OR use all salad tomatoes
Can this salad be made in advance?
These ingredients contain a lot of water so if the salad is made in advance it will become watery. It’ll still be tasty but won’t look as fresh and vibrant.
Can I use regular salad cucumbers?
Yes. However it’s best to completely peel salad cucumbers and remove the seeds before using in this salad.
 
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating and leave a comment below!

Nutritional Estimate Per Serving

Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 302mg | Potassium: 422mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1445IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For accurate results, it is recommended that the nutritional information be calculated based on the ingredients and brands you use.

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Recipe Rating




20 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    you cannot go wrong with a tomato and cucumber salad! especially as we’re heading into summer and tomatoes are in season!

  2. 5 stars
    Our family is obsessed with this recipe. We all love cucumbers and this was such a delicious way to enjoy them

  3. 5 stars
    This is a salad I could eat all the time. There is nothing but colorful fresh veggies here and a good way to use my garden veggies. YUM!

  4. 5 stars
    We have been getting crazy good cucumbers and tomatoes from Sam’s Club, crazy I know! Anyway, made this the other day and it turned out AMAZING! Thanks so much!

  5. oh this is weird. my second comment went up but not the first so it won’t make sense. i was just saying i didn’t know if you were american or not (a pound of tomatoes, and american spelling)…

  6. i’ve just looked at your About notes and it says you’re an aussie. sorry about that! but as all your spelling etc is American, I was confused …

    1. Hi Sherry, yes I am Aussie but the recipe are for all over the world and I have a very large American audience hence the pounds etc. But I also provide alternate measurements.

  7. this is one of my fave salads. I always thought you were an australian blogger? 🙂 A pound of tomatoes? are you in america? it’s hard to know with some bloggers where they are:) In fact i don’t even know the name of some, ‘cos they don’t put it up. Or even their gender, come to think of it…

  8. 5 stars
    This is one of my summer go to salads. I also will use mayonnaise instead of OO and vinegar

  9. 5 stars
    This salad is perfect for Malta at this time of the year as the weather is warm enough for eating al Fresco. The tomatoes are ripe, fleshy and very juicy. Onions and cucumber are available all year round.I also have lovely mint and basil in my kitchen garden.

    1. Marie, those ripe, juicy tomatoes sound wonderful! I can’t wait to our garden starts producing! Malta is on my list to visit – one day!

  10. Great salad recipe. Have been making this salad for a few years.
    Only difference in my salad is that o use freshly squeezed lime juice instead of the vinegar. It gives a slightly tangy taste.
    Love your website.
    I started making this after a working visit to Tunisia where is is served every day.

  11. Perfect for grill season or when you just need something light and tasty for a lunch!
    angiesrecipes

  12. Reading the ingredients and looking at that delicious picture – it says spring on a plate to me and it looks so good that I have to admit you are right – I dont think it can be improved!

  13. I like this salad combination. It sounds lovely. I really don't eat that much salad – but this does sound like something I would try 🙂

  14. Sounds like a great salad Marcellina. I often find myself wanting salad when it's too hot and I don't feel like eating anything else.