This crisp, vibrant cucumber, tomato, and onion salad is the ultimate quick and easy side dish. It requires zero cooking, takes less than 10 minutes to throw together, and gets better as it marinates in the refrigerator.
As showcased in the step-by-step breakdown in image_14.png, a few pantry-staple seasonings and a store-bought dressing turn humble fresh vegetables into a crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
The Fresh Produce: 2 large cucumbers, 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, 1/2 medium white or yellow onion
The Dressing: 1/3 to 1/2 cup Kraft Zesty Italian dressing (adjust to taste)
The Seasoning Blend: 1 tablespoon dry Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper (plus a pinch of salt to taste)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Vegetables
Thoroughly wash your produce. Slice the cucumbers into uniform rounds (you can peel them or leave the skin on for extra crunch, as shown in image_14.png). Halve the cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice the onion into half-moons.
Step 2: Assemble in a Bowl
Place all of your prepped cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions into a large glass mixing bowl, matching the setup in the top-left and top-right panels of image_14.png.
Step 3: Dress and Season
As demonstrated in the bottom-left panel of image_14.png, pour the Kraft Zesty Italian dressing directly over the fresh vegetables. Generously shake the dry Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and cracked black pepper over the top.
Step 4: Toss and Marinate
Using a large spoon, toss the salad thoroughly until every slice of cucumber and onion is well-coated in the dressing and herbs.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
Transfer the mixture into a clean serving bowl, as pictured in the bottom-right panel of image_14.png. While you can eat it immediately, covering the bowl and letting it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes allows the onions to mellow out and the vegetables to absorb the zesty flavors. Give it a quick toss before serving!