Ultimate Panera Copycat Tomato Basil Cucumber Salad

If you're a fan of Panera Bread's Tomato Basil Cucumber Salad, then you're going to love this copycat recipe! This wholesome salad is sure to become a favorite, made with juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and fragrant basil, all tossed in a delicious homemade Greek dressing! Perfect for picnics, family dinners, or BBQs!

A serving bowl filled with Panera-inspired tomato basil cucumber salad.

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I am a huge fan of Panera Bread because it uses fresh, clean ingredients, which sets it apart from other fast-food restaurants. One of my all-time favorite menu items is the Tomato Basil Cucumber Salad.

If you love Panera Bread, then make my Panera Bread BBQ Chicken Salad and Panera Lemon Drop Cookies.

If you are looking for more easy and flavorful cucumber salad recipes, try my Greek Cucumber Salad and Creamy Cucumber Salad.

For another refreshing salad, try Watermelon Basil Salad with Honey Glaze.

❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe

Bursting with Freshness: This simple salad is full of fresh veggies - ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and aromatic basil.
Easy to Make: This simple recipe is quick to make. It comes together in 10-15 minutes.
Economical: Instead of heading to Panera every time you have a craving for their Tomato Basil Cucumber Salad, you can save money by making it at home with ingredients you likely already have.
Perfect for Summer: This light and refreshing salad is perfect for warm summer days when you want something cool and satisfying.
Versatile: While fantastic on its own as a side dish or light lunch, this Tomato Basil Cucumber Salad can also be served as a tasty topping for grilled chicken or fish.
Make-Ahead Option: Prep the ingredients in advance and toss them together just before serving. It's a great option if you want to have a quick and healthy meal ready during busy weekdays.
Low-calorie and vegan: This salad is low in calories, and is perfect if you are on a vegan diet or low calorie diet.

🥒 Ingredient Notes + Substitutions

You just need a handful of simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store to make this tomato cucumber salad:

The ingredients for Panera Copycat tomato basil cucumber salad on a wooden table.

Tomatoes. I used an assortment of cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes, but any type of tomato will work. If you use larger tomatoes like Roma tomatoes, cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Cucumbers. I used Long English cucumbers, but you can use any type of cucumber. I did not peel my cucumbers, but you can if you like. If using mini cucumbers, you do not need to remove the seeds.
Onion. I used red onion cut into thin slivers. It adds fantastic flavor. However, you can use any kind of onion you like, including green onions.
Basil. Fresh basil adds so much flavor to this salad. I do not recommend using dried basil.
Greek dressing. I used extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sea salt, chopped garlic, dried oregano, and black pepper for the dressing. You can substitute with red wine vinegar, regular mustard, garlic powder, and fresh oregano.

See the printable recipe card for quantities and a complete list of ingredients.

🥣 How To Make Panera Tomato Basil Cucumber Salad

Step 1: Prep the vegetables. Start by washing and drying the tomatoes and cucumber.

For the cucumbers, peel them if you like, slice them lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Dice them into bite-sized pieces and place them into a large bowl.

using a spoon to scoop out the cucumber seeds.

The chopped cucumber on a cutting board.

Next, slice the tomatoes into halves or quarters, depending on their size, and place them in the bowl.

The cherry tomatoes being cut in half with a knife.

Finely chop the red onion. I prefer to cut it into thin slivers. Add the chopped onion to the bowl.

A knife chopping onion on a cutting board.

The sliced red onion on a wood cutting board.

Finely chop the fresh basil and add to the bowl. Gently use a large spoon to combine the vegetables together.

The chopped veggies in the serving bowl.

Step 2: Make the dressing. Next, make the Greek dressing by whisking together olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.

The ingredients for the Greek dressing in a small bowl.

The ingredients for the Greek dressing combined in a small bowl.

Drizzle the Greek dressing over the salad and gently toss once more to ensure all of the ingredients are coated with the dressing.

The Greek dressing being poured over the tossed vegetables.

At this stage, you can use plastic wrap to cover the bowl and then put it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to blend together nicely.

Just make sure to toss it again before serving.

Or, if you just can't wait, serve it immediately!

Enjoy!

💭 Expert Tips

Use fresh, juicy tomatoes for the best flavor.
Make sure the cucumbers are firm and crisp. You can peel the cucumbers or leave the skin on. I recommend you remove the seeds if using regular cucumbers.
When preparing the basil, gently cut it into thin strips with kitchen shears instead of chopping it.
Add some chopped bell peppers to give some extra color.
Add some feta cheese and Kalamata olives to turn it into a Greek salad.
Top with fresh mozzarella cheese.
For texture, sprinkle some toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds on top of your salad just before serving.
Chill for at least 30 minutes in the fridge before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Toss again before serving.

🥩 What To Serve With This Salad

On a hot summer day, this salad is filling enough on its own or served with your favorite protein.

Some of my favorite proteins are Smoked Tuna Steaks, Smoked 3-2-1 Ribs, and Smoked Steaks.

This light salad is perfect to serve with Grilled Wagyu Steaks or Smoked Prime Rib Roast.

Well, I guess it goes with pretty much anything! Just grab a fork and dig right in! 🙂

🌡️ Storage + Make Ahead Instructions

To prepare this cucumber tomato salad ahead of time, I recommend you prep the vegetables but keep them stored separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This way, you can assemble the salad just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and crunchiness.

The ingredients for the Greek dressing can be mixed up and kept in a separate container in the fridge for up to a week.

When ready to serve, simply toss all the ingredients together in a large bowl.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. Just make sure to gently stir before serving.

❓ Recipe FAQs

How can I keep my cucumbers from getting soggy in a salad?

To keep your cucumbers crisp and prevent them from becoming soggy, make sure to remove their seeds before adding them to the salad.

Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil?

While fresh basil is definitely the best option, you can use dried basil as a substitute. Use approximately one-third of the amount that's called for in the recipe since dried herbs are more concentrated.

What other vegetables can I add to my tomato basil cucumber salad?

You can add Mediterranean vegetables to this salad, such as chopped bell peppers, diced celery, avocado, diced zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, and carrots.

How long will this salad stay fresh?

You will want to eat this salad within 1-2 days for optimal freshness. As time passes, the vegetables may release moisture and become soggy.

The summer salad in a white serving bowl.

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