Southern Marinated Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad

Southern Cucumber Tomato and Onion Salad in a blue decorative bowl.

5 from 1 vote

Southern Marinated Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad

Southern Marinated Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad is a make-ahead friendly, no-cook, summer staple that delivers crisp texture and tangy flavor with almost no effort. This classic Southern cucumber tomato salad recipe uses fresh tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, red onion, and a simple vinegar dressing that marinates in the fridge until everything tastes bright and balanced.

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time45

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Southern

Servings:

Calories: 256kcal

Author: Jami Powell

Equipment

Large Mixing Bowl
Cutting board
Sharp Knife
Spoon or salad tongs for tossing

Ingredients

6 Campari tomatoes quartered
4 mini cucumbers sliced
⅓ small red onion thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves smashed (left whole)
⅓ cup white vinegar
1½ tablespoons sugar
⅓ cup olive oil
1 teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped (optional)

Instructions

Add the quartered Campari tomatoes, sliced mini cucumbers, and red onion to a large bowl.
Pour the white vinegar evenly over the vegetables, followed by the olive oil. Add in the smashed garlic clove, sugar, kosher salt, and black pepper.
Gently toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated, being careful not to break up the tomatoes.
Add the chopped basil, folding it in lightly.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper marinated flavor.
Give the salad a quick toss before serving and serve chilled.

Video

Notes

Cooking Notes

Quartering the tomatoes keeps them juicy without causing them to break down. Allowing the salad to rest is key to achieving a balanced flavor. Toss gently before serving to redistribute the dressing.

Tips for Best Results

Slice vegetables evenly, so they marinate at the same rate.
Use fresh, firm tomatoes for the best texture.
Let the salad rest so flavors develop fully.
Add herbs at the end to keep them fresh.

How to Know It’s Ready

The onions will soften slightly, the dressing will look glossy, and the vegetables will smell bright and tangy after chilling.

Nutrition