Cucumber tomato salad is perfect in its simplicity. It is light, fresh, and easy to make. What else could you want on a hot summer day?

I always know it’s summer when every meal is some version of a cucumber tomato salad. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we are slicing up some fresh tomatoes and cucumbers and throwing whatever else we have on hand into a bowl. Douse it in some olive oil and vinegar and sprinkle with flaked salt and pepper, and you have yourself an easy dish.

HOW TO JAZZ UP A BASIC CUCUMBER TOMATO SALAD

Focus on ingredient quality

• Your basic cucumber tomato salad will benefit from an ingredient revamp. Always use the freshest vegetables to get the most flavor out of a simple dish. If you are using a watery tomato, your salad will taste like water. So choose something that looks and feels fresh and crisp.

• Choose high-quality olive oil. Olive oil should have a floral peppery flavor. This will enhance the dish tremendously.

• Vinegar is often overlooked. Steer clear of distilled vinegar and opt for a white balsamic. That will add a nice balance of sweet, bitter, and sour, all while keeping the salad looking fresh.

• Top with Maldon flaked sea salt for an added crunch and extra staying power. This was a game-changer for me when I started topping my cucumber tomato salads with flaked salt. It looks gorgeous, but it also clings to the watery vegetables better instead seasoning the pool of juice at the bottom of the salad.

Think about color

• Because we eat with our eyes, it is that much more enjoyable to eat something that looks appetizing. If you are going the red tomato route, make sure the tomatoes are a deep red, none of that pale grocery store garbage.

• If you are wanting to add more colors, try different varieties of tomatoes such as heirloom or yellow tomatoes. They offer a new color pallet to play off of and have different depths of flavors.

Don’t be afraid to add other things

• I like to add green peppers for an added crunch and I always go heavy on the basil. The beauty of this recipe is that it doesn’t have to be exact. Just use what you have and don’t be afraid to branch out!

• Sometimes we keep it pretty basic, while other times we get wild with it and throw in random things we have in the fridge. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

  • sauerkraut

  • pesto

  • garlic

  • olive tapenade

  • beans

HOW TO MAKE CUCUMBER AND TOMATO SALAD

Making cucumber and tomato salad is super easy!

First, dice up your veggies. They can be small or large chunks, it doesn’t matter. Put all of those ingredients into a bowl and pour a good amount of olive oil over the top. Add vinegar next, but don’t be as generous. I always start off with less and add more if it needs it. You don’t want it to be too tart. Give everything a toss so it is all mixed together. Finish the dish off with basil, fresh cracked black pepper and flaked sea salt. Enjoy!

Though this recipe may not be anything new, I hope it gives you a few tools and a new mindset to bring to your everyday cooking. It doesn’t always have to be complicated to be good. Keep it simple, but don’t be afraid to spice it up with some high-quality ingredients. It will go a long way!