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Made with crisp cucumbers, onion, fresh dill, and a light vinaigrette, this cucumber salad recipe is a classic summer side dish. It’s been a family favorite since I was a child!
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Table of Contents
- Simple Cucumber Salad
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- Bitter Cucumbers? Try These Tricks
- How To Make The Best Cucumber Salad
- Tips for Cucumber Salad
- Serving Suggestions
- Make Ahead and Storage Tips
- Cucumber Salad Variations
- Recipe FAQs
- You Will Love This Easy Cucumber Salad
- More Summer Salad Recipes You’ll Love
- Cucumber Salad Recipe
Simple Cucumber Salad
Every summer when our garden starts overflowing with fresh cucumbers, this simple cucumber salad becomes a regular on our table. It’s one of my go-to summer sides because it’s so quick to toss together and stays crisp and refreshing. Over the years, I’ve tweaked this recipe to make it just right – simple, fresh, and full of flavor!
It’s the perfect side dish for summer cookouts, backyard BBQs, family picnics, or a light, refreshing lunch.
What makes this cucumber salad so good: A quick salt trick keeps the cucumbers crunchy and fresh. The light, tangy dressing pulls it all together! Don’t miss my easy tips below for the best results.
For more easy salad recipes, be sure to check out my favorite Caesar salad and Tomato salad recipes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this cucumber salad recipe:
- Cucumbers: I prefer to use English or Persian cucumbers for their thin skin and mild flavor. Armenian cucumbers also work well and don’t need peeling. If you are using Burpee or garden cucumbers, peel them first to avoid tough skin and bitterness.
- Red onion: I sometimes make quick pickled red onions for extra flavor but you can use fresh red onions if you are in a pinch.
- White wine vinegar: You can substitute it with champagne or sherry vinegar, or even with apple cider vinegar.
- Sweeter (honey, maple syrup, or sugar): You only need just a little bit of sweetener to balance out the acidity of the vinegar. You can use any type of sweetener, or you can skip it if you want.
- Fresh herbs: chopped dill is a classic addition to this salad, and basil or parsley will work too.
Bitter Cucumbers? Try These Tricks
Sometimes when I get cucumbers from the garden, they can turn out a little bitter. When that happens, I peel the skin, scoop out the seeds, or soak the slices in ice water for 15–30 minutes. These simple tricks help tone down the bitterness and keep your cucumber salad tasting fresh and crisp!
How To Make The Best Cucumber Salad
Tip: If you have time, lightly salt the sliced cucumbers and let them drain for 15 minutes. This helps remove excess moisture and keeps the salad crisp. Discard any liquid before continuing.
- Mix cucumber and onions in a large bowl.
- Mix white wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and sweetener in a small jar. Pour over the cucumbers and onions, and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle some fresh chopped dill and toss to coat.
TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN
Tips for Cucumber Salad
- Use English cucumbers for this salad – they have thin skins, few seeds, and no peeling is needed. Persian cucumbers are another great option.
- A mandoline makes it easy to slice the cucumbers and red onion thinly and evenly. A sharp knife works too if you prefer.
- For the freshest texture, dress the salad just before serving. You can slice the vegetables and prepare the dressing a few hours in advance to save time.
- Trick for crisp cucumber salad: If you’re prepping ahead, lightly salt the sliced cucumbers and let them drain for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This quick step pulls out excess moisture and keeps your salad fresh and crunchy. Discard the liquid and continue with the recipe.
Serving Suggestions
This crisp cucumber salad is a great side dish for anything you’re grilling—chicken, steak, burgers (or fish burgers), or veggie skewers. It also pairs well with light mains like baked maple mustard salmon, juicy baked chicken breast, or grilled shrimp.
Round out the meal with simple sides like potato salad, cowboy caviar, coleslaw, and fruit deserts like watermelon or a fresh fruit salad.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
Want to prep your cucumber salad early? Slice the cucumbers and red onion 3–4 hours ahead and store them in an airtight container. Keep the dressing separate and toss everything together right before serving for the best texture!
Making it the night before? Lightly salt the cucumbers and let them drain in a colander over a bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This trick pulls out excess water and keeps your salad fresh and crisp.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days, though it’s best enjoyed fresh!
Cucumber Salad Variations
This easy cucumber salad is delicious as-is, but here are a few fun ways to change it up!
- Creamy Cucumber Salad: Add a couple of tablespoons of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the dressing for a creamy twist.
- Spicy Cucumber Salad: Mix in a few thin slices of jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Asian-Inspired Cucumber Salad: Swap the vinegar for rice vinegar and add a splash of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds.
Recipe FAQs
It depends on the type of cucumber! English and Persian cucumbers have thin, tender skins and you don’t need to peel them. If you’re using regular garden cucumbers with thicker skin, you may want to peel them for the best texture.
If you’re not peeling them, be sure to buy organic produce and wash the cucumber really well with vegetable spray and under running water.
Lightly salt the sliced cucumbers and let them sit in a colander for about 30 minutes before assembling the salad. This helps draw out excess moisture so your cucumber salad stays crisp and fresh!
Yes! Slice the cucumbers and onions and store them separately from the dressing. Toss everything together just before serving to keep it fresh and crisp.
Cucumber salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
You Will Love This Easy Cucumber Salad
- Simple and flavorful: This salad is light, refreshing, and packed with delicious ingredients that everyone will enjoy.
- Easy side dish: This quick & easy recipe is the perfect side salad for any meat, fish, or poultry dish. Great to bring to summertime picnics.
- Crowd-pleaser: Everyone will love this simple cucumber salad.
More Summer Salad Recipes You’ll Love
This cucumber dill salad is one of my favorite go-to salads, it’s tasty, simple, and uses only 5 main ingredients. Some other easy summer salads are:
If you enjoyed this Cucumber Salad recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
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Cucumber Salad
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Ingredients
- 2 long English cucumbers, sliced
- 1 medium red onion, sliced
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon sugar , (or coconut sugar or sweetener of choice)
- ⅓ cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix cucumber and red onions in a large bowl.
- Mix white wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and sweetener in a small jar. Pour over the cucumbers and onions.
- Sprinkle some fresh chopped dill and toss to coat.
Video
Notes
- Use English or Persian cucumbers—no peeling needed and fewer seeds.
- Slice thinly with a mandoline or sharp knife for even texture.
- For extra crunch, salt and drain cucumbers for 30–60 minutes if prepping ahead.
- Toss with dressing just before serving for the freshest flavor and texture.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary with ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. For accuracy, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this recipe is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or nutritional advice. I am not a doctor or a dietitian. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your diet or health. For more details, please read my full disclosure page.
This is the ONLY recipe that recommends salting and discarding the liquid after settling. I remember from YEARS ago that this was the most healthy method. I made this tonight (with fresh dill) and loved it. You should get 10 stars for this recipe.
what can i substitute for the dill?
Parsley would work too, even though it won’t taste the same.
Neli, it looks perfect and tasty! Can’t wait to have this anytime of the day, love it!
Neli, what a great idea! I love cucumber salads. Your version really pleases me very well, with ingredients that I often use in cooking too.
I made cucumber salad twice times per week, it’s same with your recipe but after salad done, I add 1-2 tablespoons of chopped dry-roasted peanuts. It make the salad more tasty.
YUMMY..To me, this is a classic southern salad that brings back wonderful memories of summertime dinners that were full of fresh garden veggies. Thanks for yor recipe!!
This is definitely a classic in the North as well.
Try adding sour cream to your taste. My grandmother did it that way & I used to love it.
Thanks, Debi! Yes, another way to make a cucumber salad is with some sour cream or yogurt. 🙂
can I not salt the cumber, my cousin is on a no salt diet.
sure, you can skip the salt if your cousin is on a salt diet. But it won’t taste quite the same.
Good recipe. I think the salt notation is a little confusing. Probably should read tsp for teaspoon instead of tbsp. My first try was too salty but second was just fine.
Simple & tasty cucumber salad recipe. Within 15 mins prepared & serve it. Nice:)
Thanks, Rivaria! It is very delicious indeed and easy to make too!