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!

Classic cucumber tomato salad with creamy dressing in a white bowl with fresh tomatoes

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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!

Cucumber and tomato salad with creamy dressing

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. You can use English cucumbers or smaller garden cucumbers. 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 will 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
ingredients for summer salad with fresh garden veggies, mayo, sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic and onion

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.

  1. Cut the vegetables – Chop all the veggies into bite-sized pieces and place in a medium bowl.
Salad bowl filled with Ingredients for cucumber tomato onion salad including fresh chopped tomatoes, sliced cucumbers and sliced onions.
  1. Make the dressing – Mix the dressing ingredients in a separate bowl.
side-by-side photos of mixing salad dressing in a glass bowl using a spoon
  1. Mix – Pour the dressing onto the veggies and toss until coated. Taste and add salt just before serving.
tomato cucumber salad in a white bowl with salad dressing on top

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:

creamy cucumber tomato salad with sour cream-based dressing and pepper

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

4.91 from 53 votes
This CLASSIC creamy cucumber and tomato salad is so simple to make and is our go-to summer salad. An easy, excellent cucumber tomato salad. KEEPER! | natashaskitchen.com
Make my mother's Creamy Cucumber and Tomato Salad with a creamy homemade dressing in just a few minutes for a fresh lunch or side dish for dinner. I grew up eating this salad when we had cucumbers and tomatoes fresh from the garden. It's the perfect way to showcase your harvest–but produce from the grocery store works too!
Chop the fresh veggies and toss with the easy dressing–it doesn't get any easier. Make this just before serving for the best taste.
Makes about 6 cups of salad with 1 cup of salad per serving.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 people as a side dish
  • 3 medium tomatoes
  • 1 English cucumber, or 3-4 small cucumbers
  • 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 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

Storage – This salad is best eaten within a couple of hours of stirring in the dressing. Add salt just before serving since it will cause the veggies to lose moisture and will make the dressing watery over time. 

Nutrition Per Serving

50kcal Calories6g Carbs1g Protein3g Fat1g Saturated Fat1g Polyunsaturated Fat1g Monounsaturated Fat0.01g Trans Fat4mg Cholesterol26mg Sodium253mg Potassium1g Fiber3g Sugar593IU Vitamin A11mg Vitamin C29mg Calcium0.3mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad
Amount per Serving
Calories
50
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
3
g
5
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Trans Fat
 
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Cholesterol
 
4
mg
1
%
Sodium
 
26
mg
1
%
Potassium
 
253
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
6
g
2
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
 
593
IU
12
%
Vitamin C
 
11
mg
13
%
Calcium
 
29
mg
3
%
Iron
 
0.3
mg
2
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Ukrainian
Keyword: creamy cucumber tomato salad, cucumber tomato salad recipe
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 50
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

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:

4.91 from 53 votes (27 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Z-S
    June 14, 2016

    This is one of my favorite salad.
    One thing that I am not adding to that salad is mayo. I only making this salad with sour cream. OH and I love to eat this salad with mashed potato…

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 14, 2016

      We grew up eating this salad with mashed potatoes, a great combination 😀.

      Reply

      • Z-S
        June 23, 2016

        I guess it is Ukrainian style eating this salad with mashed potato.

        Reply

    • Inna
      July 13, 2016

      You are right. Mayo is no-no. I did grow up in Odessa. The recipe is:
      Tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, sour cream and salt. That is it !!!
      Have a great day!
      Inna

      Reply

  • Julie Ann
    March 25, 2016

    Could you make this the night before?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 25, 2016

      Hi Julie, this one is really best fresh. I gets too soft and juicy if made ahead.

      Reply

  • Tzivia
    March 25, 2016

    Yo I made this salad on weds eve for break the fast for when we would come home from synagogue I didn’t add onions pr garlic but I used some fresh dill which is a very Russian thing made it with mayo and sour cream a little salt pepper and garlic powder and wow it came out really very yummmm

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 25, 2016

      That’s great Tzivia 😀. Reading your comment is making me hungry!

      Reply

      • Tzivia
        March 26, 2016

        Ditto Natasha it sure was then go on make some darlin lol btw happy blessed Easter cheers

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          March 26, 2016

          Thank you and happy and blessed Easter to you also! 🙂

          Reply

  • Sheryl
    July 4, 2015

    Everything looks so fresh and beautiful. My husband is Ukrainian lol but doesn’t like onions or peppers or anything like it. I love to entertain so I get to still get to make all those nice beautiful salads that you show. I’d love to join your website and get your updates on your new things. Everything looks so nice and fresh. And pretty simple.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      July 4, 2015

      Thank you Sheryl, welcome to the site and feel free to subscribe to the latest recipes by clicking here :).

      Reply

  • Helen Siegel
    July 1, 2015

    Looks healthy and easy for a senior. You are my new COOK and I will enjoy…

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      July 1, 2015

      Helen you’re so nice. Thank you! 🙂

      Reply

  • Valerie
    June 30, 2015

    Thank you so much. Can you send a recipe for pasta tuna salad thank you for sharing.

    Vs

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 30, 2015

      You’re very welcome! I’ll start brainstorming 🙂

      Reply

    • Elyse Morishita
      July 26, 2021

      This is the recipe my grandmother, who is part Danish used to make. 1 bag shell macaroni, 1 head lettuce, 1 bag frozen green peas, 1 can tuna, drained , mayonnaise or Miracle whip(grandma used miracle whip) to moisten the salad. Cook the macaroni shells in boiling salted water. Add the green peas one minute before it is done. Drain and cool under cold running water.Drain again. Wash and shred the lettuce.Spin dry. Put the macaroni, shredded lettuce, and drained tuna in a bowl. Mix well and add mayonnaise until creamy, about 1/2 cup. Add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until dinner time. When I make it, to cut down on the fat content, I usually make it with 1/4 cup mayo and 1/4 cup yogurt.

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        July 26, 2021

        Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Elyse!

        Reply

  • veronika
    January 9, 2015

    now i want the salad, I don’t like the mayo, so I omit it, the best and easy salad ever, my 8 year old makes it all the time, thanks for such great recipes

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 10, 2015

      It is still really good with just the sour cream. I’m so happy you like it. It sounds like you have a little chef on your hands! 🙂

      Reply

  • Anna :)
    December 13, 2013

    My favorite salad! We also make it with Olive oil instead of the mayo & sour cream 😉 makes it more fresh & juicy 😉 yum!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 13, 2013

      Hmmmm that sounds healthier too! Thanks for the tip! Do you add anything else into it?

      Reply

      • Tatyana
        July 12, 2016

        We make it with olive oil instead of mayo and sour cream, too. I like adding my favorite herbs, like parsley and dill. Best herbs are fresh, of course, but dry herbs work, too; especially out of season. To make it a meal, I often add a can of garbanzo peas.

        Growing up, my family referred to this salad as simply “Salat,” since we made it almost every day. However, making this salad with cheap store-bought tomatoes and cucumbers is a waste of time (I know I don’t have to convince you, Natasha!). If you don’t have access to fresh vegetables, at least buy vine-ripened tomatoes. I always smell tomatoes if I have to buy them from the store.

        I can’t wait to try your version, Natasha. It looks scrumptious, thank you!

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          July 12, 2016

          I love your idea of adding garbanzo beans! That’s a great way to add protein!!

          Reply

  • Oksana B.
    February 12, 2013

    What a fantastic story! You are so sweet! I always enjoy reading your little introductions. Will be making this salad soon!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 12, 2013

      Thank you Oksana :). Let me know how it turns out.

      Reply

  • Marina
    August 22, 2012

    Hi,

    I love this salad.I have been eating it since childhood but sadly this year I had to stop.My holistic healer says no tomatoes and no diary.I am told it is unhealthy for me. Now I just eat cucumbers.Have a great day.

    Reply

  • jelena
    July 31, 2012

    hi Natasha! i came around your website, and i love it! thank you

    Reply

  • Jessica
    March 21, 2012

    Thank you so much for this recipe! I am completely in love with the cream, it’s so exquisite and authentic. Btw, I have found your site about a week ago, and I love all the different recipes for the russian/Ukraine food. Thank you so much for putting your time and effort into putting down all the recipes and even showing step by step pictures-they have helped me a lot. God bless 🙂

    Reply

  • Denise
    December 24, 2011

    We are hosting an orphan from Ukraine in our home for a month and tonight his chaperone came over for dinner. I served this salad and they both said it was wonderful and very authentic. We loved it too and I will be making it again as well as looking around your site for more recipes. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 25, 2011

      That’s awesome! Thank you for sharing 🙂

      Reply

  • April's Patio
    June 11, 2011

    Wonderful salad! Thank you for sharing this easy, delicious recipe!

    Reply

  • Krystyna
    November 23, 2010

    this is identical to the salad my Baba used to make for us! she used kraft creamy cucumber dressing, but i can never find it, this dressing was perfect. thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      November 23, 2010

      I haven’t tried that dressing, but I’m glad you tried it and liked it 🙂

      Reply

    • Susan Ballew
      March 23, 2024

      I used olive oil and balsamic vinegar instead of the mayo or sour cream/

      Reply

  • Natasha
    October 15, 2010

    love this salad! along with white onion I also add green onions and dill.. it gives the salad a very fresh taste!
    you are awsome!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      October 15, 2010

      Oh, its nice to be called “awesome” once in awhile 🙂 I’ll try the green onion an dill next time. We make this salad regularly.

      Reply

  • Irina
    September 6, 2010

    Yum! Tomato and cucumber salad is a true Russian and Ukrainian classic. I posted a similar recipe on my site in July:

    Our tomatoes are finally ripening (the first cucumbers came in about a month ago) and we can now make this salad from homegrown ingredients!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      September 6, 2010

      Hi Irina, thanks for the link, I will add dill next time I make this salad. I always have a tub of dill in the freezer. We make this salad pretty much daily with all the fresh cucumbers and tomatoes from my moms yard.

      Reply

  • Sam
    September 2, 2010

    Wow, this looks better than what I used to make. I always ended up with lots of fluid. I guess I don’t need to use vegetable oil. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

  • Erica [Irina]
    August 22, 2010

    This salad brings me memories, my Baba and Aunt always made this for us when we were small…..I’ll be making this myself as we have lots of tomatoes and cucmbers in the backyard. Thanks you for sharing. 🙂 Irina

    Reply

    • Natasha
      August 22, 2010

      I was hoping it would bring back memories for someone. It’s a classic – enjoy!

      Reply

  • valerie from familyblog
    August 22, 2010

    beautiful salad
    thanks
    val

    Reply

    • Natasha
      August 22, 2010

      Your welcome!! I just checked out your site. Wish I spoke and could read your language. Your recipe for Cake au chèvre et tomates confites looks soo good!

      Reply

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