Cucumber Tomato Salad is the best of summers harvest. Crisp cucumbers and luscious tomatoes tossed in a bright and creamy lemon poppy seed dressing. This is my newest obsession.
Summer is a perfect time to make veggie salads. Vegetables are plentiful at the farmer's market or in our gardens.
So, if you want to try a few more of my favorite recipes after you've made this cucumber and tomato salad, here are a few ideas.
Creamy Cucumber Salad comes together in 10 minutes and has cucumbers, red onions, and a spectacular poppy seed dressing.
Or, this Cucumber Vinegar Salad is a southern classic. It has a delicious sweet vinegar marinade that is sure to be a hit.

Cucumber Tomato Salad - Recipe Notes
- Cucumbers have a tendency to release a lot of liquid. To avoid a watery salad you can prep your cukes ahead. Simply, place cucumbers in a serving dish. Sprinkle it with 1 teaspoon salt. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Pour off the liquid (do not rinse). Do not add more salt. This will be plenty.
- We don't peel the cucumbers when we make this salad, but if you want to, you can peel them before you slice them.
- If you would like to make this salad ahead, prepare the dressing in a mason jar and toss the salad with it the day you plan to serve it.
Watch the recipe video
If you want to see how I make this Cucumber Tomato Salad, check out the recipe video for step by step directions.
Frequently asked question
How to choose the best tomatoes for saladWhen choosing the best tomatoes for this Cucumber Tomato Salad, look for tomatoes with no blemishes or bruises.
They should be a deep, bright red color. If it has a pale color or is mottled with green, the flavor won't be the best. Be sure to avoid any tomatoes with small black spots on them.
Types of cucumbers
There are many different types of cucumbers you can use in this cucumber and tomato salad. I've used English Cucumbers because they have fewer seeds.
There are many different types of cucumbers you can use in this cucumber and tomato salad. I've used English Cucumbers because they have fewer seeds.
English cucumbers are often called seedless cucumbers. But, you will also have these varieties available.
- Armenian cucumbers have soft skin and seeds.
- Garden cucumbers are the most common and have large seeds.
- Gherkins are small and are often used for pickling.
- Kirby cucumbers are often referred to as pickling cucumbers.
How long do cucumbers need to marinate?
For the best flavor, allow the vegetables in this Cucumber Tomato Salad to marinate for at least 20 minutes.
For the best flavor, allow the vegetables in this Cucumber Tomato Salad to marinate for at least 20 minutes.
You can let them marinate for up to twenty-four hours in the refrigerator if you want to make this salad the day before.

Tools to make Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Sharp knife or mandolin – A sharp knife or mandolin is always a necessity when slicing cucumbers.
- Cutting board – A high-quality cutting board comes in handy when prepping this salad.
- Mixing bowls – Combine all of the ingredients for this salad in a large mixing bowl.
What should I serve with this salad?
This Cucumber Tomato Salad is a perfect summer salad to go with any grilled meat. So, the next time you are using the grill, consider having this as a side dish.
You can serve it when you Grill the Perfect Steak. It goes wonderfully with Honey Balsamic Grilled Chicken. Or, why not try it with this Spicy Grilled London Broil.

Storing leftovers
If you store this salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it should last up to a week. After that, the tomatoes will start to get soft.
If you remove the tomatoes, you can store this salad for closer to two weeks. Just chop fresh tomatoes right before you want to serve it again.
Cucumber tomato salad varieties
There are many different things you can add to this summer salad. Why not try adding chopped avocado, corn, chopped chives, or even chunks of watermelon. You won't believe how delicious it is!- Give it a Mexican twist by adding bell peppers and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Make it a Mediterranian Cucumber Tomato Salad by using a lemon and olive oil dressing instead of poppy seeds.
- For a Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad, add black olives and crumbled feta cheese.
Enjoy!
With love from our simple kitchen to yours.
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See how easy this Cucumber Tomato Salad is to make. Watch the video!!!
Yield: 6

Cucumber Tomato Salad
Cucumber Tomato Salad is the best of summers harvest.
Crisp cucumbers and luscious tomatoes tossed in a bright and creamy lemon poppy seed dressing. This is my newest obsession.
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: Total time: 10 Min
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon extra light olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 English cucumbers, cut into half coins
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, sliced thin
Instructions
- Combine lemon juice, sugar, olive oil, poppy seeds, mustard, garlic, salt, and onion powder in a large bowl. Whisk well until dressing is completely combined.
- Add cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion to the bowl. Toss to combine.
- Chill until ready to serve. Enjoy!
DONNA'S NOTES
- If you would like to make this salad ahead, prepare the dressing in a mason jar and toss the salad with it the day you plan to serve it.
Recipe developed by The Slow Roasted Italian
Copyright ©2016 The Slow Roasted Italian – All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2016 The Slow Roasted Italian – All rights reserved.
Originally published July 2016, updated and republished July 2020.
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
Recipes doesn't reflect Poppy Seed
ReplyDeleteHi Arkansas Granny, oops. I corrected the recipe. Thank you for your comment.
DeleteI love salads but cant eat cucumbers or onions have to eat it early or it kills me
DeleteWhat an awesome salad!!! I will be making this one many times!
DeleteHi Donna, this salad looks so delicious but how much poppy seeds do you add ?
ReplyDeleteIt's not in the ingredient list. Have a nice day !
Hi Danielle! 1/2 tablespoon poppy seeds, I added that to the recipe. Thank you for your message. Enjoy and let us know how it goes!
DeleteExcited to try this recipe. How much poppy seed and when do I add it?
ReplyDeleteSo happy you stopped by. I added 1/2 tablespoon poppy seeds to the recipe. Enjoy and let us know how it goes.
DeleteThe dressing says it is lemon poppyseed dressing. I am wondering how much poppyseed you put in it?
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda! Thank you for your comment. I added 1/2 tablespoon poppy seeds. Enjoy and let us know how it goes.
DeleteLove your recipes going to make this but you didn't list the poppy seeds☺
ReplyDeleteThanks Kat! I added the 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds to the recipe. I appreciate your message, let us know how it goes. Enjoy!
DeleteYou added poppy seed to ingredients but not when to add it. I assume it is added in dressing mixture.
ReplyDeleteJust want to say that your recipe may be healthier than mine but I grew up on cucumber & tomato salad. Sometimes simpler is better. I only add a small amount of mayo & lemon zest to the cucumbers, tomatoes, & red onion with S&P to taste. I do plan to try your recipe as I have been looking for the perfect opportunity to use a bottle of poppy seeds that are in my spice cabinet.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Marie! I usually toss this with vinegar and oil, but I wanted to try something different and lemony. It really blows my mind how delicious it is. I am going to try the lemon and mayo and see how that goes. Thanks for the suggestion! Enjoy and let us know how it goes.
DeleteHow would I change the dressing to a honey poppyseed ? I don't tolerate lemon well.
ReplyDeleteI also love this an orange honey poppy seed dressing.
Delete1/4 cup orange juice (instead of lemon)
2 tablespoons honey (instead of sugar)
Let me know how it goes. Enjoy!
I'm not a huge fan of lemony dressings but this one sounded interesting and was I happy I tried it!! My new favorite summertime dressing!! I even had to use bottled lemon juice and it was still awesome. I'm going to make a quadruple batch this afternoon so I have it ready to go! I recommend this to anyone that likes a poppyseed dressing.
ReplyDeleteWhat other salads this could be used with? can't eat cukes.
ReplyDeleteI use it on spinach salad....baby spinach, sliced boiled egg, sliced red onion (if tolerated).toss with dressing and sprinkle with mozza cheese...
ReplyDeleteI often add sliced strawberries as well
Instead of mayo try mashed avocado
ReplyDeleteI don't know about your daughter, but I sometimes have problems with fresh tomatoes due to the texture of the inner goo. You might try giving some to her with the seed goop scooped or squeezed out and see if she doesn't tolerate them a little better. Love the recipe!
ReplyDeleteStarted to copy recipe, but noted that now the lemon juice and sugar were deleted!
ReplyDeleteFor those who can't tolerate cucumbers, substitute zucchini. Just as crispy and crunchy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great suggestion, Cherill. I am going to try this over the summer with the zucchini from my garden.
DeleteFor those who can't tolerate cucumber (like my husband), substitute zucchini. Just as crispy and crunchy and goes just as well with lemon.
ReplyDeleteInstead of poppy seeds I added chia seeds for a protein boost.
ReplyDeleteDo I have to use sugar? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks
ReplyDeleteI was looking for a simple healthy salad and came across your site. Just made this salad and it is so delicious...and so easy and quick to make. Thank you for sharing .. I will be making this salad often :)
ReplyDeletecan i use sesame seeds?
ReplyDeleteDelicious. I'm having a hard time eating vegetables, I'll make this salad often as it's truly delicious. I'd drink that dressing as is - I made it with both sugar and honey, and both orange juice and lemon. I couldn't find poppyseeds, sadly. Next time I'll slice the cucumber very thin. Is there any way to thicken the dressing a bit?
ReplyDeleteCan you use just regular cucumbers? That is what I have on hand and want to use them up.
ReplyDeleteHow far in advance can u make the dressing?
ReplyDeleteDelish: made substituting what I had on hand: bottled lemon and lime juice, garlic powder (1/8tsp) stone ground mustard
ReplyDeleteThis has become a favorite salad of ours! I occasionally add avocado, delicious.
ReplyDeleteAm I being dumb or what,I couldn't find the video.. lol
ReplyDeleteI love this salad. I make it all the time without poppyseeds. Delicious! Sometimes I toss in a box of Chickpea pasta (it’s our go-to pasta nowadays) for a more filling side dish for my husband and son. I double the dressing recipe for that (except I don’t double the sugar and I never add salt). We can each add salt & pepper to our fish as we like...but I don’t even miss the salt at all. Great recipe! Thx so much
ReplyDelete