Tomato and Cucumber Salad with a Pesto Like Dressing

Bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this Tomato and Cucumber Salad with a Pesto-Like Dressing is a quick and vibrant dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Juicy cherry tomatoes and crisp cucumber slices are tossed in a creamy basil pesto dressing made with Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, and a hint of lemon for a zesty kick. This no-cook recipe comes together in just 15 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a refreshing side dish, a light lunch, or a healthy complement to grilled meats or seafood. Packed with fresh ingredients and Mediterranean-inspired flavors, this salad is both satisfying and stunning, ready to shine at your next dinner table or summer gathering.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Cherry tomatoes
• 1 large Cucumber
• 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons Pine nuts
• 1 clove Garlic
• 0.25 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and halve the cherry tomatoes. Place them in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2

Peel the cucumber if desired, then slice it into thin rounds or half-moons. Add them to the mixing bowl with the tomatoes.

Step 3

In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4

Blend the mixture until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Add a little more olive oil if the dressing is too thick.

Step 5

Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.

Step 6

Pour the pesto-like dressing over the tomato and cucumber mixture. Gently toss until the vegetables are evenly coated.

Step 7

Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or platter. Optionally, garnish with a few extra basil leaves, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan, or additional pine nuts.

Step 8

Serve immediately and enjoy the salad as a light meal or pair it with grilled meats, fish, or bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(837.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	866.7

Total Fat 79.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.9g
Cholesterol 22.2mg	0%
Sodium 1369.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 32.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.1g	0%
Total Sugars 15.5g
Protein 16.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 360.4mg	0%
Iron 3.9mg	0%
Potassium 1494.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 78.6%

Protein: 7.3%

Carbs: 14.1%