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Easy Balsamic Cucumber Tomato Salad for Meal Prep

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A crisp, refreshing salad that stays good for days, perfect for meal prep. Tangy balsamic dressing, sweet tomatoes, and cool cucumbers come together in under 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large English cucumbers
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • 1 small red onion (about ½ cup thinly sliced)
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry cucumbers. Cut off ends, slice lengthwise, then cut into thin half-moons about ¼ inch thick. Place in a colander set over a bowl, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, toss, and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture.
  2. While cucumbers rest, wash cherry tomatoes and cut in half. Place in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Peel and thinly slice red onion into half-rings. If desired, soak in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the bite, then drain and pat dry.
  4. In a small bowl or mason jar, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, and minced garlic. Whisk or shake until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. After 10 minutes, rinse cucumber slices with cold water to remove excess salt, then pat dry with a clean towel.
  6. Add drained cucumbers and sliced red onion to the bowl with tomatoes. Pour dressing over top and toss gently to coat evenly.
  7. Stir in chopped fresh basil. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. For meal prep, portion into individual containers and refrigerate.

Notes

Salting the cucumbers is essential to prevent a watery salad. For best texture, store dressing separately if prepping for more than 2 days. Add basil just before serving to prevent it from turning black. Let salad sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: balsamic cucumber tomato salad, easy salad recipe, meal prep salad, healthy salad, summer salad, cucumber tomato salad, balsamic dressing

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/easy-balsamic-cucumber-tomato-salad-for-meal-prep/