This cucumber salad is crisp, refreshing, and easy to make with simple ingredients like cucumbers, red onion, apple cider vinegar, and fresh dill. It's a classic side dish that's perfect for summer meals, cookouts, and quick dinners.
This is a simple cucumber salad with a light vinegar dressing and fresh dill. It has a lightly sweet and tangy flavor and pairs well with just about anything.
This is one of those easy cucumber recipes you can make ahead and serve cold.
If you're looking for more easy side dishes, you may also like this Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make
- Fresh and simple ingredients
- Light and refreshing
- Perfect for summer meals
- Easy to adjust to taste
- Classic cucumber salad flavor with a light vinegar dressing
Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ cup fresh dill
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Ingredient Notes
- Peeling is optional. English or Persian cucumbers do not need to be peeled.
- You can use regular cucumbers, English cucumbers, or Persian cucumbers. English and Persian cucumbers have fewer seeds and a milder flavor.
- You can use white vinegar, white wine vinegar, rice wine vinegar, or red wine vinegar in place of the apple cider vinegar.
How to Make Cucumber Salad
- Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds using a sharp knife.
- Slice the red onion into thin strips.
- Add the cucumbers and onion to a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the apple cider vinegar, sugar, fresh dill, salt, and black pepper until the sugar dissolves.
- Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss until evenly coated.
- Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
- Before serving, drain the liquid and transfer to a serving bowl.
Tips for the Best Cucumber Salad
- Slice the cucumbers thin so they absorb the dressing well.
- Let the salad chill before serving for the best flavor.
- Taste and adjust the sugar depending on how sweet or tangy you like it.
Variations
- For a creamy cucumber salad, stir in a few spoonfuls of sour cream.
- Add sliced green onions for a milder flavor.
If you enjoy simple side dishes like this, you may also like this dill pickle pasta salad.
How to Store Cucumber Salad
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Drain the liquid before serving again.
What to Serve With Cucumber Salad
This salad works well as a simple side for a summer meal. Serve it with:
- grilled chicken
- burgers
- barbecue dishes
- pasta salad
This also pairs well with something like this Cowboy Caviar for another easy side.
Cucumber Salad FAQs
English cucumbers or persian cucumbers are a good choice because they have fewer seeds, but regular cucumbers work just as well.
Yes. It can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator. Drain the liquid before serving.
Yes. You can use white vinegar, white wine vinegar, or red wine vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar.
Refrigerate the salad and drain the excess liquid before serving.
📖 Recipe
Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers
- ½ red onion - thinly sliced
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ cup fresh dill
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds
- Thinly slice the red onion.
- Add cucumbers and onion to a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, stir together apple cider vinegar, sugar, fresh dill, salt, and pepper until sugar dissolves.
- Pour dressing over cucumbers and toss to coat.
- Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
- Drain the liquid before serving.
Notes
- English or Persian cucumbers can be used for fewer seeds
- Apple cider vinegar can be replaced with white vinegar, white wine vinegar, or red wine vinegar
- Best served the same dayPeeling the cucumbers is optional. If using English or Persian cucumbers, the skin is tender and does not need to be removed.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
© Mama Needs Cake
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Dana is an experienced recipe creator who crafts easy and delicious recipes for all levels of home cooks.
Her recipes range from classic comfort foods to healthy and nutritious meals, and she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to bring flavor and variety to the table.
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