Keto Cucumber Tomato Salad (Easy Low-Carb Summer Side Dish)

This is the salad I make when I want something on the table in ten minutes flat, no cooking required. Cucumber, tomato, and shallot get tossed in a quick vinaigrette, and that’s the whole keto side dish.

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I’ve been eating keto or low-carb for years now to keep my type 2 diabetes in check, and it works wonders. Cooking like this doesn’t have to be hard. Sometimes, the simplest recipes really shine. Like this Tomato & Cucumber Salad.

You can make this salad all year long, but it’s especially delicious if you have local vine-ripened tomatoes. My whole family loves this salad, and it makes a great side dish, or I’ll even add grilled chicken or shrimp to turn it into a light and delicious meal.

Chef Jenn’s Take on Keto Cucumber Tomato Salad

The mistake people make with a salad this simple is assuming any tomato or cucumber will do. It won’t. A waxy, seedy cucumber waters down the whole bowl, and a mealy off-season tomato has nothing to offer once it’s cut.

I reach for English cucumbers almost exclusively. They’re nearly seedless, the peel is thin enough to eat, and they don’t release nearly as much liquid as a standard cucumber does. For tomatoes, cherry or grape tomatoes hold their texture better than a big slicing tomato that’s been sitting in a grocery store bin.

The other thing worth knowing is that this salad changes the longer it sits. Salt pulls liquid out of the tomatoes, and that liquid pools at the bottom of the bowl. Some people drain it off. I say spoon it over the vegetables instead, because that’s where a lot of the flavor ends up.

What You’ll Love About Keto Cucumber Tomato Salad

• It takes ten minutes and zero cooking, which makes it the thing I reach for when dinner needs a side and I’m out of both time and patience.
• The ingredient list flexes with whatever is actually in the crisper drawer, so it rarely stops me from making it.
• It works as a light side dish or, with grilled chicken or shrimp added, as the whole meal.

Ingredients

• English cucumber – Fewer seeds and a thinner peel than a standard cucumber. Persian cucumbers work the same way if that’s what you have.
• Cherry or grape tomatoes – Halved. A mix of colors is a nice touch if your store carries them. Larger tomatoes work too, just chop them instead.
• Shallot – Milder and sweeter than a regular onion. A small yellow or white onion works as a substitute.
• Avocado oil – Any neutral oil works for the vinaigrette base.
• Red wine vinegar – Good quality vinegar or fresh lime juice both work well here.
• Italian seasoning – Check the label for added sugar before you buy. Some blends sneak it in.
• Salt and pepper – To taste.
• Crushed red pepper flakes – A pinch, for heat. Leave it out if you’re serving this to anyone heat-sensitive.

How To Make This Keto Cucumber Tomato Salad

Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.

Wash and dice the cucumber. If you’re using a standard cucumber instead of English, scrape out the seedy center first so the salad doesn’t turn watery.

Halve the cherry tomatoes, or chop larger tomatoes into similar-sized pieces. Finely chop the shallot. Whisk the red wine vinegar into the avocado oil until it comes together, then stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Toss the vegetables with the vinaigrette and the red pepper flakes. Serve right away, or let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes so the flavors settle in.

Make It A Meal

I serve this most often alongside Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, since the freshness of the salad balances out the richness of the pork. Air Fryer Turkey Breast is another easy pairing on a weeknight. To turn the salad into dinner on its own, top it with New Orleans BBQ Shrimp.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The tomatoes release liquid as they sit, so give the salad a stir before serving leftovers. This one doesn’t freeze, and it’s best made fresh rather than as a make-ahead meal prep item.

Even More To Love!

If you’re looking for even more keto scrumptiousness, check out some of my top picks!

• beefy vegetable soup
• Instant pot sausage & sauerkraut
• this meaty hash for breakfast
• a family favorite with sausage and cheese!