Cucumber Tomato Salad
Cool cucumber, juicy tomato, and onion come together in a simple Indian-style salad brightened with lemon juice, green chili, and fresh coriander. It is crisp, refreshing, and easy to pair with almost any meal.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~10 min
Chop the vegetables.
1.Dice the cucumber into small even pieces.2.Dice the tomato and remove excess seeds if it is very watery.3.Slice or finely chop the onion and finely chop the green chili.4.Chop the coriander leaves. - mix · ~2 min
Mix the salad.
Add cucumber, tomato, onion, green chili, and coriander leaves to a bowl. Sprinkle in the salt and black pepper, then pour over the lemon juice and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- rest · ~5 min
Let the salad sit briefly.
Set the salad aside for 5 minutes so the flavors come together before serving.
- serve
Serve the salad fresh.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Deseed very juicy tomatoes so the salad stays crisp instead of turning watery.
- 2Slice onion very thin and soak it in cold water for 5 minutes if you want a milder bite.
- 3Add salt and lemon just before serving if making ahead, so cucumber keeps its crunch.
- 4Let the tossed salad rest only briefly; too long and the vegetables will start releasing water.
- 5Chop the green chili very fine so its heat spreads evenly through every bite.
- 6Use chilled cucumber and tomato for the most refreshing texture and flavor.
Adapt it for your goals.
Chaat-style
Add a pinch of chaat masala for a tangy, street-style Indian salad flavor.
no onionNo-onion
Skip the onion for a cleaner, lighter salad that pairs well with rich curries and dal.
mildMild
Reduce or omit the green chili if serving kids or anyone sensitive to heat.
kachumber styleKachumber-style
Dice everything extra fine for a more traditional kachumber texture that sits neatly alongside Indian meals.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Hydrating Vegetables
Cucumber and tomato bring plenty of water-rich freshness, making this salad light and refreshing.
Vitamin-Rich Ingredients
Tomato, lemon juice, green chili, and coriander contribute a range of vitamins and antioxidant plant compounds.
Light, Fresh Side
With raw vegetables, herbs, and simple seasoning, this dish adds flavor without feeling heavy.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but for best texture keep the chopped vegetables separate or unsalted, then add lemon and salt shortly before serving.
