Fresh Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Buttery Garlic Croutons

Aug 21, 2025
by Abbigail Schaden
- 0.0 / 5 ( 0 Ratings)
0 Likes

PREP TIME

10 mins
COOK TIME

10 mins
TOTAL TIME

20 mins
SERVING

4 People
VIEWS

0

A vibrant and refreshing salad, elevated by the richness of buttery, garlicky croutons. This delightful dish transforms simple ingredients into an unforgettable culinary experience, perfect as a light lunch or a sophisticated side.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

2 cups rustic Italian bread, cubed

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 cup thinly sliced red onion

2 large ripe red tomatoes, coarsely chopped

0.5 medium cucumber, thinly sliced with peel on

0.5 cup freshly chopped basil leaves

2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Nutrition

Carbohydrate

17 g
Fiber

2 g
Protein

3 g
Saturated Fat

0 g
Sodium

109 mg
Sugar

4 g
Fat

1 g
Unsaturated Fat

0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Prepare Buttery Garlic Croutons: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. (2 minutes)

02

Step

Add the bread cubes and cook, tossing frequently, until they are lightly golden and crispy. (5 minutes)

03

Step

Sprinkle with minced garlic and cook over low heat, tossing constantly, until fragrant. (30 seconds)

04

Step

Remove the croutons from the skillet and set aside to cool. (2 minutes)

05

Step

Sauté the Onions: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. (2 minutes)

06

Step

Add the thinly sliced red onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are light golden and crisp-tender. (3 minutes)

07

Step

Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside to cool slightly. (2 minutes)

08

Step

Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes, sautéed onions, chopped tomatoes, and sliced cucumbers. (3 minutes)

09

Step

Dress the Salad: Drizzle with red wine vinegar, sprinkle with freshly chopped basil, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. (2 minutes)

10

Step

Gently toss all the ingredients together to ensure even distribution of flavors. (2 minutes)

11

Step

Serve immediately and enjoy!

For an extra layer of flavor, try adding a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to the croutons while they are still warm.
If you don't have red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar or lemon juice can be used as a substitute.
To prevent the salad from becoming soggy, add the dressing just before serving.
Feel free to experiment with other herbs such as mint or parsley for a different twist on the classic basil flavor.

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Abbigail Schaden

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.