EASY MARINATED TOMATO CUCUMBER ONION SALAD

Easy Marinated Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad or Summer Salad takes advantage of fresh summer produce. It’s light, bright, and fresh. Tomato, cucumber, and onion are complemented by the most delicious dressing.

This makes a great lunch or side with your main dish for dinner.

EASY MARINATED TOMATO CUCUMBER ONION SALAD

You may know this salad as a Summer Salad. However, here in the south, we start having fresh produce well before the actual first day of summer. Therefore, I’m sharing it with you now so you can grab that fresh produce the minute it gets ripe to make this salad.

Can I use a sugar substitute for the honey?

Yes, you can use granulated sugar (the real thing) as well as any sugar substitute. They all measure differently so sub according to the package directions.

Can I leave out the onion?

The overall flavor of this salad comes from the three main ingredients, tomatoes, onions, and cucumber. I don’t recommend omitting the onion for this reason. Once the veggies sit in the vinegar for a few hours, they mellow. For instance, I’m not a cucumber fan, but I can eat them in this recipe. Although using a Vidalia onion will change the flavor slightly, it’s a good substitution for the red onion.

Obviously, if you simply won’t eat onion, leave them out.

Can I make this in advance?

Yes, in fact, it’s best made 2 to 4 hours in advance. Cover it and chill it for 2 to 4 hours in the refrigerator. Serve with a slotted spoon, draining most of the marinade off. 

This will keep in the refrigerator for about 48 hours. After that, it starts getting mushy and yucky.

INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR SUMMER SALAD

Full recipe at the bottom of the post.

1. Tomatoes. I use grape tomatoes when vine ripe tomatoes aren’t available in my area. I recommend fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes cut into chunks when available.
2. Cucumbers. English cucumber unpeeled is great. You can peel it if you prefer.
3. Red onion. Cut them into small-ish slivers (see the note above)
4. Vinegar. Use mild white wine vinegar. In a pinch, you can use red wine vinegar.
5. Olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for salads. It has the most flavor. Here are three top-rated olive oils: Georgia Olive Farms Olive Oil, 16.9 oz(pricey but worth it), California Olive Ranch Global Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 16.9 fl oz, Pompeian® Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil
6. Garlic. Obviously, fresh is best but jarred is okay as well. I don’t recommend garlic powder or garlic salt.
7. Honey. The best honey to use is raw, unprocessed honey. As well, if you can find raw, unprocessed honey that’s harvested in your area studies have proven it helps with areas. 
8. Italian seasoning. Like this.

 

TOMATO CUCUMBER ONION SALAD OPTIONS

This base makes a great pasta salad. Simply boil 8 ounces of pasta per the package directions. As well, double the dressing ingredients for this recipe. That is the vinegar, oil, garlic, honey, and seasoning. Stir together and refrigerate for a few hours.

Like this recipe make your pasta salad in advance and refrigerate it. The flavors will hang out and get to know each other.

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6. Brain Boosting Super Salad
7. Brain Healthy Stuffed Avocado Salad

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