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This tomato and cucumber salad keeps the ingredient list short and lets the vegetables do the work. Ripe tomatoes bring sweetness and juice, while cucumber adds a cool, crisp bite. A little olive oil and lemon juice tie everything together without a heavy dressing.
The recipe makes two side portions and takes about 10 minutes to prepare. Cut the vegetables into similar-size pieces so each forkful has both tomato and cucumber. Toss gently to keep the tomato pieces intact, and serve soon after dressing for the best texture.
Choose tomatoes that feel ripe but still hold their shape. A small cucumber with a tender peel can be left unpeeled; rinse it thoroughly before slicing. If its seed center is especially watery, scoop out a little of that center before cutting.
Serve the salad alongside your usual main course, or enjoy it as a fresh addition to a lunch plate. The basic recipe uses no dairy, eggs, meat, or gluten-containing ingredients. Dietary suitability also depends on the ingredients and handling in your own kitchen.
AI-generated illustration of the tomato and cucumber salad.
References
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to peel the cucumber?
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A cucumber with a tender peel can be left unpeeled after rinsing. If the peel is tough or bitter, remove it if you prefer. This recipe uses a small, unpeeled cucumber.
- How many portions does this recipe make?
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The recipe makes two side portions. Divide the dressed salad evenly between two plates. For four side portions, double all the ingredients.
- How much carbohydrate is in one side portion?
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Using the listed weights and dividing the recipe into two equal portions gives approximately 8 g of total carbohydrate per portion. This is an ingredient-based estimate using USDA composition data, not a laboratory measurement. Produce size and portion size will change the result.