Cucumber, Tomato, and Dill Salad
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I love a fresh summer side salad. I have been craving a cucumber and heirloom salad for months, and the time of year when all of the delicious summer veggies are ripe and ready for picking is finally here. So far, my garden is only producing cucumbers, beans, snap peas, and lettuce. We are waiting patiently for the tomatoes to ripen; there are so many beautiful and large green tomatoes on the vines. It feels as if it is taking forever this year! Thankfully, there are plenty of neighboring farms with little road side stands where we can still purchase fresh garden tomatoes. Yum! Everything in these photos was grown on our farm or less than 10 miles down the road. How fun is that?
This is one of the best easy summer salads that you can toss together! It is reminiscent of many old fashioned salads and one that has stuck around for generations. I remember eating this at many pool parties and potlucks growing up! You will absolutely love this picnic side dish.
a history of the classic salad:
Would people of the past have really eaten a tomato and cucumber salad? I think so! The ingredients are certainly common of the time. A bit of homemade mayonnaise and fresh vegetables from the garden? It’s a perfect way to imagine cooling off out on the prairie in the summertime. This is a delicious and healthy summer salad.
There is not really much specific history on the mayonnaise base cucumber salad out on the internet. However, from some of my favorite 19th century cookbooks, salads like this were prevalent in the Victorian era. Usually, they were tossed with a salad oil rather than a cream-like base.
the method:
To make this cucumber tomato dill salad, you will need… Well, those ingredients! They are simply tossed together with a bit of mayonnaise, salt and pepper, apple cider vinegar for little bit of acidity, and some sugar for sweetness though this is entirely optional.
This is a quick and nutritious salad that can be ready in minutes. I prefer the salad after it has sat for some time. I will make it ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for several days this way and can be enjoyed throughout the week!
final thoughts:
I feel like everyone and their mother has a recipe for this style of salad. Mine is not unique in any way, but it is delicious! I love making this during the peak of summer as a quick side to our suppers. It comes together in about 15 minutes, making it an ideal side!
The addition of fresh dill is entirely necessary. Do not skip out on this! If you are growing cucumbers, I highly recommend that you plant some dill along with it. Dill is extremely easy to grow, and it likes to return every year as it quickly goes to seed and drops them all over the place. I love a little “volunteer” dill growing in the garden, but that’s just me! Dill also attracts caterpillars and, therefore, butterflies! Fun!
Let me know if you try out my mix and if you like it!
xoxo Kayla
Cucumber, Tomato, and Dill Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp (45 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp (9 g) kosher salt
- 2 tsp freshly cracked pepper
- 2 tbsp (6 g) fresh dill leaves, chopped finely
- 1 large white onion, sliced thinly
- 3 medium cucumbers, sliced
- 3 large heirloom tomatoes, cut into 2-inch pieces
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and dill. Whisk together to combine, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Place the onion, cucumbers, and tomatoes into a large bowl. Toss the vegetables together with the dressing. Adjust the seasonings to your personal taste.
- Serve the salad immediately or cover in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This salad will keep for about 5 days.
