Cucumber Salad - Made with sliced cucumber, crispy red onions, and fresh cilantro tossed in a light apple cider vinegar dressing. The longer it sits, the better it gets, and is a quick and simple salad that is as refreshing as it is delicious!
Sliced cucumbers in apple cider vinegar is hands down one of my favorite ways to eat cucumbers. This light, crispy, and refreshing salad is simple to make and the zesty and vibrant flavors give off a delicious balance of sweet and salty.
Marinating the cucumbers allows it to absorb the flavors of the apple cider vinegar dressing. At the same time, the onions give it a little extra crunch. If you’re looking for a recipe to add to your collection of cucumber salad recipes, this one is it!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Easy to make - With so few ingredients, there’s not much that needs work! Slice the cucumbers and onions, make a dressing, and toss. That’s it!
- Versatile - One of the best cucumber salad recipes to enjoy on a hot day all by itself, or use it as a side dish to grilled meat, seafood, and or a nice juicy steak!
- Healthy - Whether you grab your cucumbers from your garden or the local market, they’re part of a light, simple salad that provides a ton of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and all kinds of nutrients!
- Make ahead - This salad is great for making ahead if you’ve got a party to host or a crowd to serve because the longer it sits in the dressing, the better it gets.
What’s in This Recipe for Cucumber Salad?
Salt - To taste.
Cucumber - I use English cucumbers, like in this cucumber tomato salad, because that’s what is usually available at my local grocery store. You can also use mini cucumbers (also known as Persian cucumbers) or pick them from your yard.
Red onion - Sliced thin. These add flavor and extra crunch.
Organic sugar - Mellows out the acidity from the vinegar for a nice sweet and salty combination.
Apple cider vinegar - Used as the main component for the dressing. We also like to use apple cider when making easy Chimichurri sauce. It’s tangy, zesty, and has plenty of health benefits all on its own. I use organic ACV with the mother, but use what you’ve got!
Water - Helps to dissolve the sugar and also helps the cucumbers soak up all the zesty flavors.
Cilantro - A fresh herb brightens up this salad even more.
See the recipe card for the full information on recipe ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Cucumber Salad
Step 1: Slice the cucumbers to as thick or as thin as you’d like. The thinner they are, the more quickly they’ll soak up the dressing. This also means they might get a bit soggy faster.
Step 2: Add them to a large bowl along with the red onions and fresh chopped cilantro.
Step 3: Drizzle the apple cider vinegar dressing overtop and toss to combine.
Step 4: Place the cucumber salad in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour.
How to Make the Cucumber Salad Dressing with Apple Cider Vinegar
In a small bowl or mason jar with a lid, add the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Whisk until completely combined (or give the jar a shake). Now, it’s ready to use!
Cooking Tips
- The skin is delicate, completely edible, and provides loads of nutrients, so you don’t have to peel it. If you are picking them out of your garden, you may find the skin is a bit thicker.
- Swap the apple cider vinegar with white vinegar if preferred. Either one will get the job done!
- If you’re not a fan of cilantro, use whatever fresh herb you love. Basil is another good one, as is Dill!
- This cucumber salad will keep fresh for up to 1 week in the fridge when kept in an airtight container. You can also keep it in the salad bowl and cover it with plastic wrap.
Recipe FAQs
You can’t go wrong with this salad. I mean, it cuts through heavy creamy dishes with its tangy flavors, it’s perfect on the side of meaty, beefy mains, and it’s light enough to enjoy with fish. It’s honestly the best!
English cucumbers and Persian cucumbers are fantastic options for salads! They have thin skin and fewer seeds, which makes them crunchy and gives them a nice mild flavor. Perfect for adding a refreshing touch to your dishes!
It really comes down to what you like! Peeling is totally optional—if you leave the skin on, you’ll get some extra color and nutrients.
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It's best consumed within a day to ensure freshness and crunch.
What to Serve with Cucumber Salad
- 20-minute New York Strip Steak
- Best Hamburger Recipe
- Steak with Asparagus
- Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
More Cucumber Recipes
- Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese
- High Protein Breakfast (Ground Turkey and Eggs Omelette Roll)
- Crunchy Cucumber Radish Salad
- Greek Chicken Quinoa Bowl
- Philadelphia Roll
- Salmon Bowl with Cucumber
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📖 Recipe
Delicious Sliced Cucumber Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 English cucumber sliced
- 1 small red onion sliced
- 1 1 /2 tablespoon organic sugar
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, red onion, organic sugar, apple cider vinegar, water, and chopped cilantro. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Chill in Refrigerator: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and let the mixture chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This allows the flavors to develop and the salad to crisp up.
- Season to Taste: After chilling, taste the salad and add salt as needed to enhance the flavors.
- Serve: This refreshing salad pairs beautifully with easy mashed potatoes and braised pork shoulder or juicy grilled beef kebabs for a complete meal.
Video
Notes
- For extra crunch, consider adding thinly sliced bell peppers.
- If you prefer a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. For the best taste, consume within a day or two to keep the ingredients fresh and crunchy.
Nutrition
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Nadezhda
Yummy!!! I love salads!!!
Donna
My husband and I love this salad and make it without the onions all the time. Delicious! We have a lot of basil plants and usually substitute the basil for cilantro. Just as yummy. Thanks for a simple and quick and tasty recipe!
Munchkin Time
Thank you, Donna! I am so happy you like this cucumber salad recipe. Basil sounds so delicious in a salad! YUMMY!