This Mediterranean Cucumber Salad recipe is fresh, crunchy, and full of flavor! Fresh cucumbers, Roma tomatoes, and red onion are diced and dressed with a glorious combination of lemon juice, sea salt, olive oil, salt, and pepper — the perfect side salad on a hot summer day!
Mediterranean Tomato Cucumber Salad
You haven’t had a salad like this easy Mediterranean cucumber salad! Authentically called Salad Shirazi, this salad has been a staple in my family for as long as I can remember. My mom makes it best, so I called her up and got the secret recipe.
All you need are three staple ingredients: Persian cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions — it’s so easy to make!
Full of Mediterranean flavors, everything blends together perfectly. The freshness of the cucumber, the sweetness of the tomato, and the onion add a subtle kick. It makes a great side dish to any meal, or you can enjoy it on its own.
Why You’ll Love It
- A great choice if you follow a vegetarian, vegan, or low-carb diet.
- All the fresh flavor makes this salad the perfect summer meal.
- The salad dressing is so simple yet so delicious!
- You can make many versions of this salad. So get creative!
Made with Fresh Garden Ingredients
- Persian Cucumbers: Persian cucumbers are a must for this recipe. It’s a crisp cucumber that is dark green and has few seeds.
- Roma Tomatoes: I prefer Roma because they have less liquid, but you can use whatever tomatoes you want!
- Red Onion: Red onions add a bit of spice to the salad.
- Mint: I used both fresh and dried mint in this recipe for an elevated taste.
- Garlic: You can’t go wrong with a bit of minced garlic!
- Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a zesty flavor that really brings the salad to life.
- Olive Oil: The base of the salad dressing. It adds a nice layer of flavor.
- Salt & Pepper: Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper are what really finish off the salad.
Variations & Upgrades
As with any salad, there are tons of variations or upgrades you can make to give this Mediterranean Cucumber Salad your own flair. Here are some great options to choose from:
Tomato: Don’t have Roma tomatoes? Use cherry or grape tomatoes instead!
Mint: Using other fresh herbs like fresh parsley, oregano, or basil will add different flavors.
Lemon: You can either go the traditional route and use sour grape juice or use red wine vinegar or lime juice instead of lemon.
Add Cheese: Feta cheese is a classic Mediterranean topping. If you’re not vegan, try adding crumbled feta to the salad!
Add Protein: If you’re looking for a heartier meal, grilled chicken (like my Joojeh Kababs!) or shrimp would taste amazing in this salad.
Other Additions: Slivered almonds, briny kalamata olives, and capers are all great ingredients to add a bit of extra flavor.
How to Make Mediterranean Cucumber Salad (5 Easy Steps!)
The steps are simple, and I’m outlining them below but be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to view the full, printable recipe card. You can also watch how it comes together in my Instagram reel!
STEP 1 – DICE CUCUMBERS
Get your cucumbers and cut them into 3 to 4 rows length-wise. When you have your 3 or 4 strips, cut them into another 3 to 4 lengthwise strips. Then stack, turn, and dice them into small cubes.
STEP 2 – DICE TOMATOES & ONION
Now grab your tomatoes. Again, slice them into strips, then more strips, then small cubes. Once the tomatoes are diced, finely cube about 1/3 to 1/2 of the red onion.
Next, throw the diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions into a large salad bowl.
STEP 3 – ADD MINT & GARLIC (OPTIONAL)
Then add a handful of finely chopped fresh mint and 2 super finely minced garlic cloves.
STEP 4 – SEASON
Squeeze the juice of 1 large lemon over the ingredients, and add olive oil, a few pinches of sea salt, dried mint, and freshly ground pepper.
STEP 5 – MIX & SERVE
Give everything a really good mix, and taste. Adjust to taste if necessary. I almost always add a bit more salt, but you do you!
Serve it up with your favorite protein, and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
This Mediterranean salad recipe is great as a side dish for any meal. It’s also perfect to bring to outdoor barbecues or potlucks! Serve it cold with your favorite protein.
I highly recommend my Air Fryer Frozen Salmon, Joojeh Kababs, Spicy Garlic Shrimp, and Thomas Keller Zucchini!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- The key is to dice the cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions super fine. I went a little larger than normal for my own preference, but you can always go smaller or bigger.
- If you’re not serving the salad right away, keep it separate from the dressing until you’re ready to serve. Otherwise, it may become mushy or soggy.
- Make sure your cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion are all fresh and free of any blemishes. This will ensure that your salad has that nice crunch you’re craving!
Storage
Store any leftover Mediterranean cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days.
More REcipes You’ll Love
- Creamy Avocado Salsa with Pistachios
- Lupin Flour Pizza Crust (Low Carb, High Protein)
- Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
- Cauliflower Tabbouleh
- Low-Carb Bell Pepper Sandwich
Mediterranean Cucumber Salad
Full of Mediterranean flavors, this easy Mediterranean cucumber salad blends together perfectly. The freshness of the cucumber, the sweetness of the tomato, and the onion add a subtle kick. It makes a great side dish to any meal, or you can enjoy it on its own.
Ingredients
- 4 Persian cucumbers
- 2-3 Roma tomatoes
- 1/3 to 1/2 large red onion, chopped
- finely chopped fresh mint (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- juice of 1 large lemon
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- a few pinches sea salt
- 1-2 tablespoons dried mint
- fresh ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Dice the cucumbers into small pieces, making sure they're as uniform as possible.
- Dice the tomatoes and the red onion, again, keeping them uniform.
- Toss the diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions into a large salad bowl. Then add a handful of finely chopped fresh mint and 2 super finely minced garlic cloves.
- Squeeze the juice of 1 large lemon over the ingredients and add olive oil, a few pinches of sea salt, dried mint, and freshly ground pepper.
- Give everything a really good mix, and taste. Adjust to taste if necessary. I almost always add a bit more salt, but you do you!
- Serve as a side or top it with your favorite protein.
Notes
Store any leftover Mediterranean cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days.
