Featuring fresh dill, onions, and a sweet, tangy dressing, this cucumber salad recipe is a refreshing summer side dish. Bonus: it couldn’t be easier!
This cucumber salad recipe is one of the simplest summer side dishes, and if you ask me, it’s also one of the tastiest.
- It is versatile. Serve it with anything cooking o picnic fare.
- It has flavor. Shout out to the sweet and tangy dressing!
- And very refreshing. Just the thing for a hot day.
It’s my take on a classic cucumber salad, complete with crisp, cooling cucumbers, red onions, and a punchy vinegar dressing.
My special twist? I sprinkle it with dill and chives for a fresh and delicious kick. This cucumber salad has something specific dill pickle vibes, and I’m 100% about it. I think you will be too!
Cucumber Salad Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this cucumber salad recipe:
- Cucumbers, of course! I like to use English cucumbers in this recipe because they have thin, delicate skin and almost indistinguishable seeds. No need to peel!
- red onion – For a delicious bite.
- White wine vinegar – It gives the salad a nice tangy kick. Rice vinegar works here too!
- honey – Its sweetness balances the tangy vinegar. If you’re vegan, feel free to use agave nectar instead.
- salt – This draws moisture from the cucumbers, giving them a crunchy, pickle-like texture. It also brings out the flavors in this salad!
- Fresh dill and chives – Dill is a classic ingredient in a cucumber onion salad, as its tart flavor pairs perfectly with the sweet and tangy vinegar dressing. I also like to use chives here. They enhance the delicious flavor of the onion and give the salad a wonderful fresh finish.
- Freshly ground black pepper – Add some twists for peppery depth of flavor.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Cucumber Salad
This fresh cucumber salad is so easy to make!
First, thinly slice the cucumber and red onion. I like to use a mandoline for slicing vegetables because it produces consistent, paper-thin slices. If you don’t have one, a sharp knife will work just as well. Do your best to slice the cucumbers and onions as thinly and evenly as possible.
Next, toss the vegetables with the vinegar, honey, and salt. Mix well so that they are evenly coated and the honey is well dispersed.
Then, refrigerate the salad for 20 minutes. This step is very important, so don’t skip it! The cooling time gives the cucumbers a chance to absorb the flavor of the dressing. Salt will cause them too release a lot of water. After 20 minutes, you transfer the salad to another bowl or serving dish, leaving the water behind. This way, your cucumber salad will be less soggy.
Finally, garnish with fresh herbs and black pepper. Season to taste and serve!
FAQs
Do you peel cucumbers for cucumber salad?
In this recipe, I called for English cucumbers, the variety often wrapped in plastic at the grocery store. They have very thin, delicate skins, so there is no need to peel them. If you can’t find English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers are a great substitute. Just remember that since they are smaller than English cucumbers, you will need to use more of them. I estimate that about 6 Persian cucumbers would work well here.
If you only have regular cucumbers, you should peel them before making this recipe. I also recommend cutting them in half lengthwise and scooping out the seeds before you slice. The seeds can be hard and bitter. You won’t miss them here!
How do you keep cucumber salad from getting soggy?
Cucumbers contain a lot of water, so cucumber salad is naturally quite wet. However, we don’t want it to be too wet This is why I recommend chilling the cucumber slices for 20 minutes and then transferring them to another serving dish. They will release a lot of water as they cool, and removing it from the salad makes it less soggy.
How long does cucumber salad last in the refrigerator?
This cucumber salad is best the day it’s made. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More Favorite Salad Recipes
If you love this cucumber onion salad, try one of these easy salad recipes next:
Cucumber salad
Serving 6
This cucumber salad recipe features thinly sliced cucumbers, red onion, fresh dill, and a sweet and tangy vinegar dressing. Cooling and refreshing, this summer salad is a perfect BBQ or picnic side dish.
- 2 English cucumbers, very thinly sliced
- ½ large red onion, very thinly sliced
- ¼ cup White wine vinegar
- 1 spoon honey or agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 spoon chopped fresh dill
- Chopped fresh chives, optional, for decoration
- Freshly ground black pepper
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In a large bowl, mix the cucumber, onion, vinegar, honey, and salt. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
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Transfer to a serving bowl, discarding any excess water. Sprinkle with dill and chives, if desired. Season with a few grinds of pepper and serve.
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