Creamy Tomato Cucumber Salad
A fresh, crunchy, creamy salad made with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, red onion, and a tangy Greek-yogurt dressing. It’s quick to prepare and works beautifully as a side dish for grilled chicken, fish, burgers, or sandwiches. Similar creamy cucumber-tomato salads commonly use a sour-cream or mayonnaise-based dressing.
 Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Creamy Dressing:
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon honey or sugar, optional
- Salt, to taste
 Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Wash and dry the cucumbers and tomatoes. Slice the cucumbers and chop the tomatoes into bite-size pieces.
- Thinly slice the red onion and chop the parsley and fresh dill.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, dried dill, black pepper, and optional honey or sugar.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with a little salt or extra lemon juice.
- Add the cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, parsley, and dill to a large bowl.
- Pour the creamy dressing over the vegetables.
- Gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Refrigerate for 15–30 minutes before serving so the flavors can blend.
- Give it a gentle toss just before serving.
Tip: If your cucumbers are particularly watery, lightly salt them and let them sit for about 10–15 minutes, then pat them dry. This helps keep the creamy dressing from becoming too thin.
 Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 15–30 minutes
- Total Time: 30–45 minutes
- Servings: 4–6
- Course: Salad / Side Dish
- Cuisine: American-inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
 Approximate Nutrition
Per serving, assuming 6 servings:
- Calories: ~90–110 kcal
- Protein: ~4 g
- Carbohydrates: ~7 g
- Fat: ~5 g
- Fiber: ~1–2 g
- Sugar: ~4–5 g
- Sodium: ~150–250 mg
Nutrition varies depending on the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and amount of salt used. For comparison, published versions of creamy cucumber-tomato salad range from about 50–134 calories per serving depending on the dressing.
 Easy Variations
- High Protein: Use ¾ cup Greek yogurt and reduce the mayonnaise.
- Lower Carb: Skip the honey/sugar.
- Mediterranean: Add ¼ cup crumbled feta and a few olives.
- Extra Fresh: Add chopped basil or mint.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Dairy-Free: Use unsweetened dairy-free yogurt and vegan mayonnaise.
- More Filling: Add chickpeas or grilled chicken.
 Q&A
Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes. For the best texture, prepare the dressing ahead and toss it with the vegetables shortly before serving. Once dressed, the salad is best within about 1–2 days because the vegetables release water.
Q: Why did my salad become watery?
Cucumbers and tomatoes naturally release water. Salting and drying the cucumbers before mixing can help, and keeping the dressing separate until serving gives the crispiest result.
Q: Can I use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt?
Absolutely. Sour cream gives the salad a richer, more traditional creamy flavor.
Q: Can I use only Greek yogurt?
Yes. Replace the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt for a lighter, higher-protein dressing.
Q: What tomatoes work best?
Roma, vine-ripened, garden tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes all work well. Cherry tomatoes are especially convenient because they can simply be halved.
Q: Can I add cheese?
Yes! Feta is an excellent addition and gives the salad a delicious Mediterranean flavor.
Q: How long does it last in the refrigerator?
For the best texture, enjoy it within 1–2 days. Keep it refrigerated in a covered container.
Q: Is this salad low carb?
It can fit a lower-carb diet, especially when made without added sugar. The exact carbohydrate amount depends on the vegetables and dressing ingredients.
