Cool, crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, a hint of onion, all bathed in a slightly sweet, creamy, sugar-free dressing. I’ve THM’d my family’s favorite creamy cucumber tomato salad. It’s a perfect side dish for grilled meats and a potluck salad everyone will enjoy. Make it with garden-fresh cucumbers and tomatoes and you’ll be in heaven!
As long as can I remember, my mom’s side of the family makes a summer salad called “California Salad.” Legend has it that many years ago, relatives from California came to visit and made this simple, delicious, summery salad.
Not as many years ago, I introduced my husband’s side of the family to my favorite summer salad and they love it, too! California Salad is often our contribution to family cook-outs and celebrations in the summer.
If you search online for California Salad, you won’t find anything like this. So, I’m just calling it simply Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad. Or Creamy Tomato and Cucumber Salad.
What’s In Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad That Needs Tweaked For THM?
The original, vintage recipe is simply:
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Onions
- Miracle Whip (check out my low carb, sugar free, Copycat Miracle Whip recipe)
- Salt
- Pepper
As you may know, Miracle Whip (or whipped salad dressing), is not on-plan. Any cucumber and tomato salad recipes calling for it would not be on-plan for the Trim Healthy Mama plan.
My mom always told me “you can’t use anything but Miracle Whip for California Salad.” So I’d enjoy some a few times a year anyway because I just love it so!
However, I knew I must THM this salad eventually. Then I could eat much more of it each summer 😉
So, the trick is to somehow turn mayo into THM-friendly “miracle whip.”
This requires something sweet, something tangy, and little red specks.
How To Make THM-Friendly “Miracle Whip.”
It’s really pretty easy! In the recipe below I detail what to mix together for this salad. I’ll be publishing a post on just the “Miracle Whip” alone soon so keep your eyes out for it.
Something sweet = an on-plan sweetener. For this recipe I used a bit of THM Gentle Sweet. Use what you have and adjust as needed for the right sweetness. It should just be slightly sweet, though.
Something tangy = raw ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar). I haven’t yet tried the yummy raw pomegranate vinegar I love in my Pomegranate Lemonade Good Girl Moonshine but that’s on the to-do list.
Something with little red specks = a pinch of cayenne pepper and a couple pinches of paprika. I don’t know that it adds much flavor-wise, but Miracle Whip isn’t right without the little red specks (right, Barb? 😀 )
Plus a pinch of…garlic powder. Because garlic is amazing.
My Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad Is Very Forgiving, Just Follow This Simple Formula:
1 + 1 + 1.
In the recipe below you find actual measurements for this super simple, summery salad. But really, all you need to remember is 1 + 1 + 1.
That means…
- 1 cucumber (I peel and seed it)
- 1 tomato
- 1 onion
If your cukes are small and your tomato is large, use 2 cukes. Or, vice versa.
Don’t like that much onion? No problem, cut back as you see fit.
Then, add enough dressing to just lightly coat the salad ingredients and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
What happens is the juices from the veggies mix with the dressing. This results in an amazingly delicious dressing that tastes nothing like Miracle Whip!
I can’t explain why that is, but the Miracle Whip flavor totally disappears.
However, you need Miracle Whip (or my THM-ified version) to get the right taste for this salad.
One of life’s mysteries, for sure.
How To Fit This Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad Into Your THM Meal Plan.
Since we’re using mayo and non-starchy veggies this simple salad is an S. Enjoy it with any S meal. Here’s a few ways I like to eat it.
- Alongside grilled meats
- As part of a “cold plate” – say a boiled egg or 2, green pepper slices, fresh berries
- As a relish on top of grilled meats
- In a bowl with a spoon
No matter how you decide to eat this simple Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad I hope you love it as much as our family does!
Plus, if you’re not sure what to take to a potluck or BBQ, this salad is so easy to throw together and always a hit on the buffet. You can easily make it the night before, too.
For more salad ideas and dressing recipes, check out my Salads category!
Does Your Family Have A Vintage Recipe You Love? Have You THM’D It?
Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad | THM S, Low Carb
Cool, crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, a hint of onion, all bathed in a slightly sweet, creamy, sugar-free dressing. I’ve THM’d my family’s favorite creamy cucumber tomato salad. It’s a perfect side dish for grilled meats and a potluck salad everyone will enjoy. Make it with garden-fresh cucumbers and tomatoes and you’ll be in heaven!
Ingredients
General Formula
- 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- Enough "miracle whip" to lightly coat veggies
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Exact Measurements (for approximately 3 cups of salad)
- 1 heaping cup of peeled, seeded, and chopped cucumbers
- 1/2 to 1 cup diced onion
- 1 heaping cup of diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons "Miracle Whip" (see below)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
THM-ified "Miracle Whip"
- 2 tablespoons on-plan mayo
- 1/4 teaspoon raw ACV
- Pinch of high mineral salt
- Tiny pinch of cayenne pepper
- Pinch of paprika
- Pinch of garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon Gentle Sweet, or on-plan sweetener of choice, to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the "Miracle Whip" ingredients and set aside
- In a larger bowl, add chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions
- Add the dressing and stir gently to coat.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper, as desired, and mix well.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Feel free to leave the peel on and seeds in if you don't mind that. Your yield will be a bit more if you do.
Best flavor happens after refrigerating for at least 30 minutes. Can make-ahead the night before.
Keeps well for up to 2 days.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 88.1Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 2.5mgSodium: 55mgCarbohydrates: 6gNet Carbohydrates: 4.5gFiber: 1.5gSugar: 4.3gProtein: 1.1g
Melissa George says
I have made this twice this week, doubled it both times and it’s only Wednesday! Such a cool, delicious, refreshing salad. I’ll be sure I have a large bowl of this in my fridge for the rest of the summer. Since I’m in Florida summer lasts until mid January! Thank you for sharing such an easy, fabulous recipe!
Dawn Yoder says
Hi Melissa!
I’m SO glad you love this as much as I do! It’s such a perfect summer salad! Thanks for the comment and the great review!
Melissa Lay says
Oh my gosh so yummy!!!! And I originally came here for your miracle whip dupe! THANK YOU
Dawn Yoder says
Hi Melissa! I’m so glad you love it! It’s such a simple salad but so refreshing and delicious. I see you’re the second Melissa to love it…”Melissa approved” 😉 Thanks so much for letting us know!
Sharon says
Yummy! I love it! I’m going to be eating this all summer! Thanks!
Dawn Yoder says
Thank you Sharon! I’m so glad you love this cherished family recipe as much as we do! Thanks so much for the feedback!