Tomato, Cucumber, and Fresh Basil Salad

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-13 · Updated 2026-04-13

A vibrant, no-cook salad featuring heirloom tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and fragrant basil, finished with a simple herb vinaigrette. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, pairs ripe tomatoes, cucumber, fresh basil leaves 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 180 calories and feeds 2, 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 medium ripe tomatoes
• 1 cucumber
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut 2 medium ripe tomatoes into 1/2-inch slices and slice 1 peeled cucumber into 1/4-inch rounds, arranging them in alternating layers on a plate.
2. Step 2: Whisk together 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
3. Step 3: Drizzle the dressing over the tomatoes and cucumbers, then scatter 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves on top and serve immediately.