Harness the refreshing clarity of summer’s bounty with this easy homemade cucumber tomato onion salad—an invigorating fusion of garden-fresh produce and bold brine. This best salad recipe is not only swift to assemble but also luxuriates in a tangy bath that amplifies its natural sweetness and crunch. Whether you’re after a quick cucumber salad tutorial or a vibrant sidekick to your grilled entrées, this marinated medley is your ticket to flavor nirvana.
Ingredients Unveiled
- 2 English cucumbers, thinly sliced (leave skin on for texture)
- 3 ripe tomatoes, halved and slivered
- 1 medium red onion, delicately shaved into wisps
- 1/2 cup white vinegar (apple cider vinegar is a bold substitute)
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried dill weed (or swap for fresh for verdant notes)
Steps to Salad Alchemy
1. Carve the Garden’s Gifts
Begin by slicing cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions with uniform finesse—thin enough to absorb the vinaigrette, but hefty enough to retain crunch. Heap them into a capacious glass vessel or a vintage mason jar for charm and practicality.
2. Brew the Tangy Elixir
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, pepper, and dill until the granules of sweetness dissolve entirely into the tart mix. This is the lifeblood of your salad—it elevates each vegetable with zip and complexity.
3. Infuse and Chill
Baptize the vegetables in your homemade brine. Stir gently, like whispering flavor into the mix. Cover and allow to chill in the refrigerator for no less than an hour—though overnight conjures the deepest magic. Stir occasionally to coax even marination.
4. Serve or Sip the Brine
Before serving, pour off the excess liquid if you prefer a drier salad—or savor it as a palate-cleansing sip of briny bliss.
Pro-Level Culinary Notes
- Go for English cucumbers – Their thin skin means no peeling, no seeding, just unbroken crunch.
- Tame the onion’s bite – A brief soak in icy water tones down the sting without dulling its zing.
- Sugar science – Like your salad less tangy? Up the sugar slightly and let the sweetness round out the acidity.
- Herbaceous bonuses – Try basil, parsley, or even mint for unexpected brightness.
Inspired Serving Pairings
- Alongside grilled meats – This crisp, acidic salad cuts through the richness of charred beef or chicken like a culinary scalpel.
- On burgers and sandwiches – Elevate your bite with a pile of this vibrant crunch—it’s a condiment in its own right.
- As a standalone light lunch – Crown it with crumbles of feta or slices of ripe avocado for a satisfying, clean meal.