Easy Low Carb Cucumber Tomato Salad
This easy cucumber tomato salad combines crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, red onion, and fresh parsley with a simple red wine vinaigrette. It’s fresh, tangy, and ready in about 10 minutes.
With no added sugar, this low-carb cucumber tomato salad makes an easy side dish for summer barbecues, potlucks, and weeknight dinners. It’s also keto-friendly and pairs especially well with grilled chicken, shrimp, burgers, and other barbecue favorites.
This recipe comes from Keto BBQ by Faith Gorsky and Lara Clevenger, a collection of more than 100 low-carb recipes for grilling and outdoor meals.
Ingredient Notes
- English cucumber: English cucumbers have thin skin and fewer seeds, so there’s no need to peel or seed them. A regular slicing cucumber works, too.
- Tomatoes: Use ripe tomatoes that are firm enough to hold their shape after chopping. Cherry or grape tomatoes are also good choices; simply cut them in half.
- Red onion: Adds a little bite and crunch. If raw onion tastes too strong, use less or soak the chopped onion briefly in cold water and drain it well.
- Extra-virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar: These form the simple vinaigrette. There’s no added sugar in the dressing.
- Parsley: Adds fresh flavor and color. Fresh basil or cilantro can be substituted if you prefer.
How to Make Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Whisk the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper together in a large bowl.
- Add the cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and parsley. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated with the vinaigrette. Serve immediately or refrigerate briefly before serving.
Can You Make Cucumber Tomato Salad Ahead?
Cucumber tomato salad is best served the day it’s made because the vegetables release water as they sit in the dressing.
If you’d like to prep it ahead, chop the vegetables and prepare the vinaigrette separately. Refrigerate both, then toss everything together shortly before serving.
Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container, but expect the vegetables to soften and the dressing to become more watery over time.
How to Keep Cucumber Tomato Salad From Getting Watery
Tomatoes and cucumbers naturally release liquid after they’re cut and salted, so some extra liquid in the bottom of the bowl is normal.
For the crispest salad, use firm vegetables and wait until shortly before serving to add the vinaigrette. If your tomatoes are especially juicy, you can drain off some of their excess juice after chopping.
Substitutions and Variations
- Tomatoes: Cherry, grape, Roma, heirloom, or other ripe tomatoes can be used.
- Cucumber: Substitute a regular slicing cucumber for the English cucumber. If the skin is thick or waxed, you may want to peel it first.
- Fresh herbs: Substitute basil or cilantro for the parsley.
- Add avocado: Fold diced avocado into the salad shortly before serving for extra richness.
- Add protein: Top the salad with grilled chicken or shrimp to turn it into a light meal.
Is Cucumber Tomato Salad Keto-Friendly?
This recipe is made without added sugar and uses cucumber, tomato, red onion, olive oil, vinegar, and herbs. It can fit into a low-carb or keto eating plan depending on your individual carbohydrate goals and serving size.
What to Serve With Cucumber Tomato Salad
This fresh salad is especially good with grilled meats and seafood. Serve it alongside burgers, grilled chicken, ribs, or pulled pork for an easy summer meal.
For something lighter, pair it with Grilled Lime Shrimp Packets. The lime and grilled shrimp work especially well with the cool cucumber, tomatoes, and tangy vinaigrette.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Add cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and parsley and toss together all ingredients. Serve.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
If you don’t like parsley, you can use cilantro or basil. Feel free to use your favorite type of tomato or cucumber. It’s okay to remove the cucumber peel if you don’t like them. Leaving the peel on will provide a little extra fiber.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This cucumber tomato salad is an easy way to put fresh summer produce to work, whether you’re serving it with barbecue or enjoying it as a light lunch.
What would you serve with it – grilled chicken, shrimp, burgers, or something else? Let me know in the comments!
This is a nice, refreshing salad.