Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Whiskey Vinaigrette
A vibrant salad featuring locally grown heirloom tomatoes and cucumbers, dressed in a tangy whiskey vinaigrette with fresh herbs. This american-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs diced heirloom tomatoes, medium, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups, diced heirloom tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp whiskey
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups diced heirloom tomatoes, 1 medium diced cucumber, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion.
- Step 2: Whisk together 2 tbsp whiskey, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 3: Pour dressing over tomato mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Step 4: Sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and toss again.
- Step 5: Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Whiskey Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (20 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Whiskey Vinaigrette?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep diced heirloom tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Whiskey Vinaigrette?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Whiskey Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Whiskey Vinaigrette vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.