Fresh Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Summer Salad

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Fresh Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Summer salad is a cool salad that displays some of summers freshest flavors. Almost pickled, this summer bounty salad is a staple on any good southern table. We show you how easy to put it on your table too.

A jar of pickled vegetables sits on a wooden surface. The jar is filled with cucumber slices, tomato pieces, and onions in a brine. A piece of tomato is held up by a fork next to the jar. Other vegetables are visible in the background.

Summer in a Salad

Cool salads are a huge part of any Dinner table in the South. No matter the time of year, you can always find some really good salads. Just like our EASY NEW POTATO SALAD or our gorgeous SOUTHERN COLESLAW, this delightful Summer Salad is a great addition to any meal.

This recipe I adapted from one of my favorite treats from The Dillard House in Dillard, Georgia. You can find their “Calico Salad” on the table most any time. It’s a burst of summer right in your mouth. We eat it as an appetizer, dessert and in-between meal courses as a palate cleanser. So without further ado, my ode to Dillard House. Fresh Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Summer Salad.

Ingredients

2 large White or sweet onions, peeled and diced
3 cups peeled and diced cucumbers
3 cups ripe tomatoes, peeled and diced and seeded
1 cup sugar
1 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup water
salt and pepper to taste

Method

Prep ingredients. Slice the onion, peel and dice the tomatoes and cucumbers.
In a small boiler, heat sugar, vinegar and water just until sugar melts. Do not boil. Cool.
Mix cucumbers, onion and tomatoes in a large bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour cooled vinegar sugar water over and stir well. Chill in fridge at least 8 hours.

A fork picking up a piece of vegetable from a jar of salad. The salad appears to contain onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers. In the background, there are whole vegetables, including an onion, a cucumber, and a pepper, placed on a wooden surface.

Variations and Substitutions

Vinegar – other varieties of vinegar can add sweetness or tartness to this recipe. Get creative here. Apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar would be great ideas.
Adding fresh herbs – adding fresh dill and other fresh herbs like fresh basil can add flavor and interest as well as other flavor components that can keep this recipe interesting.
Tomatoes – what you have on hand or can easily get always works. Some ideas we love are heirloom tomatoes, grape tomatoes and Roma tomatoes all would work beautifully.

Why Brooke loves this recipe!

Recipes are like antiques. They are meant to be handed down from one generation to another. Each one holding a special memory or nostalgic memory. Here is why we love this one!

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I love to garden in the summer but simply just run out of things to do with my tomatoes and cucumbers. This is a nice way to prepare them as food gifts and give them to people you care about. Food equals love, y’all!

🍴 PRO TIP!

How long will this keep in the Refrigerator?

This Summer Salad probably won’t last long but if you do have some leftover, it should last about 2 weeks in the fridge.

Is Summer Salad like Salsa?

The short answer is no. It is not filled with a lot of spices or any citrus juices. That makes the recipe differ a little bit. It is more closely associated with pickles. However, it is great as a side dish or a condiment. My grandaddy used to love it as a topping for fried cornbread.

Can I use red wine vinegar?

Yes, like all of our other recipes, you can make substitutions like this to change the flavor a bit. Red wine vinegar will add a bit more sweetness to these sweet veggies.

Can I use English cucumbers or cherry tomatoes?

The quickest answer is whatever you have on hand or can easily obtain. If you prefer English cucumbers then you can sure use them.

What do I serve tomato and onion salad with?

This works as a great appetizer but also pairs well as a garnish for your main course as well. Some ideas are pork chops and chicken dishes you love that need a little extra love.

Tomato and Onion Summer Salad

Get the fresh tastes of a bountiful summer harvest easily with this Fresh Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad. This even makes a great food gift. Store it in cute little jars and give the food love away!

A jar filled with pickled vegetables, including sliced cucumbers, onions, and red peppers, is placed on a wooden surface. Surrounding the jar are a whole cucumber, two small tomatoes, a red onion, and a red pepper. The background is blurred.

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Storage

This is not canned or shelf stable. It can be kept at room temperature for about 3 to 4 days or refrigerated for up to two weeks. This does not freeze well and should be eaten right away.

A top view of a glass jar filled with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. Surrounding the jar on a wooden surface are a cucumber, red onion, and two red bell peppers.