This Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad is a staple summer salad in my house and the perfect way to showcase in-season fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden (or the produce aisle). The dressing is just sour cream, mayonnaise, and pressed garlic, but it’s seriously delicious. You’ll love this crunchy, creamy, fresh salad!
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Helpful Reader Review
“All of the best ingredients in this salad. This has become our go-to for summer, and my kids love the creamy dressing. Thank you!” – Natalie ★★★★★
Creamy Cucumber and Tomato Salad
My sisters and I loved to eat this Ukrainian cucumber tomato salad growing up, since my mom made it all the time, and now, so do I. It takes just a few minutes to prepare and pairs really well with Roasted Potatoes, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes and just about anything (see more serving ideas below).
This salad always reminds me of the time my Mom asked me to babysit over 30-something tomato plants, along with cucumbers and melons in a portable greenhouse. Well, you can imagine my horror when gusty wind knocked it over, and I had to scramble to save her beloved plants (and our entire family’s organic vegetable supply for the season). We replanted them the best we could and even though they initially looked rather limp, after some TLC and a few desperate prayers, I’m happy to report all but two of the tomato plants survived. Phew!
Funny though, the cucumbers and melons looked the same, so when they got planted in the garden, there were some cucumbers springing up with the melons.
Anyway, I think about that story every time I chop up the veggies for this salad. There’s nothing like showcasing the fruits of our labor from the garden, like in our Panzanella Salad, Caprese, or Strawberry Salad recipes. So, when tomatoes and cucumbers are in season–you have to try this creamy salad!
Ingredients
With a few pantry staples, it’s easy to make this salad with vegetables from the garden, a farmers market, or the produce section of the grocery store. I included some variations below that we’ve enjoyed over the years.
- Tomatoes – any kind of tomatoes will work, from beef steak to cherry tomatoes. Cut up large fruit into bite-sized pieces.
- Cucumbers– cut these in half lengthwise and then chop. It’s best to pick cucumbers while they are about 6-8″ long so there aren’t too many seeds. Again, any variety will do, but if it has a waxy exterior, you may want to peel it.
- Onion – thinly slice 1/2 of a medium onion. I use yellow onions, but you can use red or white.
- Garlic – press the clove or smash it to evenly distribute it in the dressing. I wouldn’t hold it against you if you up it to 2 cloves if you love garlic.
- Creamy dressing – sour cream, mayonnaise, pepper, and salt.
Substitutions and Variations
- Herbs – add some fresh dill, fresh basil, parsley, or even red pepper flakes
- Veggies – add or substitute sliced radishes, green peppers, or red onion
- Sour Cream – try Greek yogurt instead and omit the mayo for a healthier dressing
- Mayo – substitute with more sour cream, or substitute smashed avocado
How to Make Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad
There’s no fuss when making my cucumber, tomato, and onion salad. Just chop, mix the dressing, and toss for the perfect lunch or side dish.
- Cut the vegetables – Chop all the veggies into bite-sized pieces and place in a medium bowl.
- Make the dressing – Mix the dressing ingredients in a separate bowl.
- Mix – Pour the dressing onto the veggies and toss until coated. Taste and add salt just before serving.
Pro Tip:
Wait to add the salt just before serving because it will draw the water out of the vegetables, making the dressing thinner and less creamy over time.
Serve With
This is one of my go-to summer salads since it has that fresh-from-the-garden taste, and the creamy dressing is so refreshing! Try it with these favorite summer entrees:
- Hamburgers or Smash Burgers
- Lobster Tails
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Carnitas recipe
- Popcorn Chicken
- Grilled Steak, or Beef Kabobs
- Lamb Chops
Growing up, my mother’s creamy cucumber and tomato salad was the epitome of farm-to-table eating. You’ll love the fresh veggies coated in cool, creamy dressing because it’s the perfect side dish for a summer meal. Grab some ripe veggies, and serve this delicious salad in minutes!
Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- 3 medium tomatoes
- 1 English cucumber
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1 large garlic clove
- 4 Tbsp sour cream
- 1 Tbsp mayonnaise, optional
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Cut the veggies – 3 tomatoes into 1" pieces, cut 2 cucumbers in half and slice and thinly slice 1/2 of the onion. Combine all of the prepared vegetables in a medium bowl.
- Make the dressing – In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Mix the dressing into the vegetables. Add salt to taste just before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
Can I Make Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad Ahead?
Sour cream-based salad recipes like this cucumber tomato salad are best enjoyed just after making, since the veggies release water after they are salted and cause the dressing to thin. Add salt just before serving the salad.
More Summer Salad Recipes
Fresh veggies and summer heat just go together, so I love serving veggie dishes, like this creamy cucumber tomato salad, all summer long. Here are a few more of my go-to summer salads:
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Tomato Burrata Salad
- Avocado Corn Salad
- Chicken Mango Avocado Salad
- Maroulosalata Greek Lettuce Salad
- Greek Chicken Bowls
- Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad
Awesome salad Luv it . It reminds me of my mom
So glad you loved the recipe, Nancy!
Could you provide measurements tomatoes? I like to use cut cherry tomatoes.
Hi Amber. A medium tomato typically weighs between 5 and 6 ounces. You can weigh your cherry tomatoes on a food scale to get a close estimate of how many to use.
About 2 weeks away from fresh tomatoes can’t wait to try it looks delicious thank you
One place says «4Tbsp sr cream + 1 Tbsp mayo
Another’s says 3Tbsp mayo + 2 Tbsp sr cream
What is correct?!
Hi Sylvia! The error has been fixed. Thank you for printing that out.
I had all these ingredients, and needed to use them fast. This was very delicious, and enjoyed it during lunch. Thank you~
My son and I cannot get enough of this! Delicious and refreshing.