Cucumber Onion Salad

This quick and easy Cucumber Onion Salad comes together in a snap! It’s made with crisp cucumbers, zesty red onion, and a sprinkle of fresh dill, all tossed in a light and tangy vinegar dressing.

What You’ll Love About this Easy Cucumber Salad

Refreshing Crunch: Cucumbers are crisp and hydrating, making the salad super refreshing, especially in warm weather.
Light and Healthy: Low in calories and high in water content, cucumber salads are great for a light meal or side dish. The combination of cucumbers and onions aids in digestion, too.
Quick and Easy: It usually takes just minutes to prepare, with few ingredients and no cooking required.
Beautiful Simplicity: The look of the thinly sliced cucumbers with fresh herbs and a tangy dressing is effortless, elegant and appetizing.

Ingredients to Make Cucumber Onion Salad Recipe

When the weather turns warm and the garden starts overflowing with cucumbers, this Cucumber Onion Salad is always the first thing I make. It’s light, tangy, and full of fresh flavor, just like Mama used to serve on hot summer afternoons. Whether you’re planning a picnic, a family cookout, or just need a quick side dish to go with supper, this easy salad brings a garden fresh taste to every bite. Ingredients you’ll need to make Cucumber Salad: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

Cucumber – One large or two medium english cucumbers forms the base of the salad.
Onion – Red onion adds texture adds a zesty flavor.
Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar gives the salad a tangy flavor.
Seasonings – Garlic salt and black pepper makes the flavors pop.
Sugar – A small amount of sugar balances the vinegar.
Herb – Fresh dill complements and expands the overall taste.

ingredients-to-make-cucumber-salad-with-vinegar

How to Make the BEST Cucumber Salad Recipe

Prep the Cucumber and Red Onion – Use a mandoline or a sharp knife and chopping board to thinly slice the cucumber and red onion.
Draw the Liquid from the Cucumber – Add the cucumber slices to a colander and sprinkle with 1/2 of the garlic salt. Toss to coat then let sit for 15-20 minutes.
Make the Vinegar Dressing – Whisk together the vinegar, sugar and remaining garlic salt. Add 1 Tbsp coarsely chopped fresh dill. (You can eyeball the amount) Toss to coat then set aside to marinate while the cucumber drains.
Combine – Drain the cucumbers then add to the onion mixture, stir to combine.
Garnish – Serve immediately garnished with freshly ground black pepper and additional dill.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Mandolin or sharp knife and chopping board for slicing the cucumber.
Measuring cup and spoons for accurate measurements of the vinegar and seasonings.
Colander for draining the juices from cucumbers after slicing.
Medium bowl for “pickling” the red onion.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

Cucumbers: English cucumbers have thinner skin and there’s no need to remove the seeds, hence the reason I use the peeling intact. You could use garden cucumbers or Persian cucumbers most commonly found in the produce department of most any grocery store.
Onion: You could use thinly sliced green onions, white onion or yellow onion in place of red onions.
Vinegar: You can use red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, distilled white vinegar or white balsamic vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar.
Sugar: You can omit the granulated sugar and use honey, agave syrup or an artificial sweetener i.e. Truvia or similar that you enjoy.
Spice: You could use crushed red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.
Tomatoes: You could add 1/2 cup diced tomato or halved cherry tomatoes to cucumber salad.
Fresh Herbs: You could use fresh chives, tarragon, fresh basil or parsley in place of dill.

Storage and Leftovers

Make-Ahead Tip: You can make this cucumber salad one day in advance.
Storage: Store Cucumber Onion Salad in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing cucumber salad as the fresh cucumbers will break down when thawing.

More Easy Salad Recipes to Make

Some of my visitors tell me they use my Layered Southwestern Cornbread Salad as a dip with tortilla chips. How fun!
Frito Taco Salad is a complete meal.
This retro Grape Salad is always a winner.
Whip up a batch of Southern Chicken Salad for light meals and snacking.
This Seven Layer Salad is a potluck rock star!
This fresh Arugula Salad is dressed with a delicious homemade vinaigrette.
This Italian Spaghetti Salad doubles as a side dish or an entree.
Supreme Pizza Tortellini Salad is terrific for game day or pizza night with the family.
Vintage Sweet Pea Salad is a retro salad that always satisfies.
Caprese Salad from Food Network.

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