Cucumber and tomato are a good enough pairing on their own, but the lime is what makes this salad worth calling out. Vitamin C from lime juice helps your body actually absorb the non-heme iron in the tomatoes and onion, which is easy to skip past on a plate of raw vegetables and easy to fix with a squeeze of citrus. Chop everything, toss it, done. If you like this style of no-cook salad, our massaged kale salad with lemon and tahini is another quick, raw option. It also pairs nicely as a side with something more substantial, like our roasted eggplant and red pepper dip.
Ingredients
- 4 tomatoes, diced
- 1 cucumber, unpeeled, diced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion in a bowl.
- Whisk lime juice and olive oil together and toss with the vegetables.
- Season with salt and pepper and top with fresh cilantro.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| Calories | 100 |
| Total fat | 7g |
| Total carbohydrates | 9g |
| Dietary fiber | 2g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Sodium | 140mg |
Why This Is Good for Your Gut
Cucumber skin holds onto insoluble fiber that supports regularity, while tomatoes provide both fiber and lycopene, an antioxidant linked to reduced gut inflammation. Lime juice's vitamin C content boosts absorption of the non-heme iron found in the onion, and red onion itself contributes inulin, a prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial bacteria in the colon.
Simple enough to make without a recipe, useful enough to keep making anyway.
This recipe is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dietary advice.
