Cucumber Salad Recipe

Easy Cucumber Salad is a family favorite recipe that people have been enjoying for ages. Thinly sliced cucumbers and onion are tossed in a sweet and tangy vinaigrette for a classic side dish.

Cucumber Salad is a total classic! This particular recipe is heavily rooted in German ancestry where they call it Gurkensalat. It’s a popular side dish that has made its way to America. It’s light, refreshing, and easy to make. There are two different versions of Cucumber Salad that you might find, one having a light vinegar sauce, the other being a creamy version. This recipe is for the light vinegar version. A creamy version would have a sauce made with sour cream, dill, garlic, sugar, and a little vinegar. Both vinegar and creamy versions can also be commonly found in southern cooking. While the recipe seems to have originated in Germany, it made its way to the Southern United States via German immigrants. There are slight variations out there, of course, but this version is our absolute favorite.

cucumber salad recipe

Vinegar, sugar, salt, and onion add gentle, versatile flavor to this quick and easy cucumber salad recipe.

Directions
  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. In a medium bowl, toss the cucumber slices with the sugar and salt; let stand for 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the vinegar and onion. Refrigerate for 10 minutes, then serve.

Easy Cucumber Salad

cucumber salad recipe

Easy Cucumber Salad is a family favorite recipe that people have been enjoying for ages. Thinly sliced cucumbers and onion are tossed in a sweet and tangy vinaigrette for a classic side dish.

Prep: 10min

Total: 190min

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 70 kcal, Carbohydrate 16 g, Sodium 294 mg, Sugar 14 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 2 English cucumbers (thinly sliced)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 red onion (thinly sliced)
  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill (minced)

Instruction:

  1. Season cucumbers with salt in a large bowl and let sweat 1 hour. Drain liquids and toss cucumbers with onion slices.
  2. In a small saucepan over high heat, pour in white vinegar and water and stir in sugar until dissolved and liquid turns clear, 3 to 5 minutes.
  3. Pour over cucumbers and onions. Stir in dill. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Creamy Cucumber Salad

cucumber salad recipe

This simple Creamy Cucumber Salad is the quintessential side dish of summer. It’s light, fresh, and so quick to prepare!

Prep: 15min

Total: 15min

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 1 cup

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 cup, calories 74 kcal, Carbohydrate 5 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 6 g, Sodium 302 mg, Fiber 1 g

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup sour cream ($0.55)
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice ($0.08)
  • 1/2 tsp dried dill ($0.05)
  • 1 tsp sugar ($0.02)
  • 1/2 tsp salt ($0.02)
  • 1 large cucumber ($1.49)
  • 1/4 red onion ($0.10)

Instruction:

  1. To make the dressing, combine the sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, dill, and salt in a bowl. Set the dressing aside.
  2. Peel the cucumbers, if desired. Slice the cucumbers and thinly slice the red onions.
  3. Combine the cucumber, red onion, and dressing in a large bowl and stir to combine.
  4. Let the salad sit for 5-10 minutes, give it another stir, then serve.

Cucumber Salad

cucumber salad recipe

This cool cucumber salad is loaded with cherry tomatoes, red onions, chickpeas, feta cheese and fresh herbs, with a bright, lemony flavor!

Prep: 15min

Total: 15min

Yield: 6

Nutrition Facts: calories 214 calories per serving

Ingredients:

  • 10 Persian cucumbers, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup chickpeas (rinsed)
  • 1/4 finely sliced red onion
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Sea salt, to taste

Instruction:

  1. Begin by gathering and prepping all of your ingredients according to the ingredient list above to have ready and organized for use.
  2. Place the diced cucumbers, the cherry tomatoes, the chickpeas, the red onion, 1/4 cup of the feta cheese, half of the dill, half of the parsley and half of the mint into a large bowl; add the lemon juice and the olive oil, along with a couple of good pinches of sea salt, and gently toss together to combine.
  3. Spoon the salad out onto a serving platter or into a salad bowl, and sprinkle over top the remaining 1/4 cup of feta cheese and the remaining herbs, and serve.

Easy Cucumber Salad

FAQ

What does a cucumber salad contain?

This classic summer salad is made with cucumbers, onions, and a simple creamy dressing. The dressing can vary from recipe to recipe, but it’s usually either a sour cream or yogurt base with some sort of acid (lemon juice or vinegar), a little sugar, and dill. It’s simple, fresh, and delicious!

What is good to mix with cucumbers?

Try these sliced cucumber flavor matches:
  • cucumber + vinegar (balsamic, cider, red wine, rice wine, sherry, tarragon, white wine)
  • cucumber + sea salt.
  • cucumber + sugar (a pinch)
  • cucumber + chopped dill.
  • cucumber + chopped basil.
  • cucumber + sliced tomato.
  • cucumber + chopped cilantro.
  • cucumber + sour cream.

What does vinegar do to cucumbers?

The vinegar enhances the natural flavor in the cucumbers, and every crunchy bite is refreshing. The flavor of vinegar used in the dressing is a matter of preference. Apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, and white vinegar all give their own unique flavor to the dressing.

How long do salad cucumbers last?

When stored properly, cucumbers can last up to one week in the refrigerator. This timeframe is applicable to both whole cucumbers and sliced cucumbers. If you’re looking for a long-term storage solution, you could try freezing cucumbers.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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