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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Cucumber Salad

    Published: Jul 22, 2021 Modified: Feb 10, 2022 by Tonje / This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe | Pin Recipe
    Cucumber salad in a whtie bowl.
    Cucumber salad in a white bowl.
    Cucumber salad in a white bowl.

    Cucumber Salad is a refreshing, healthy and easy to make side salad. It's perfect for summer, and pairs beautifully with any entree.

    A bowl of cucumber salad viewed from above on a white counter with cucumber and onion on the side.
    Refreshing cucumber salad with herbs and onion.
    Jump to:
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • 🥘 Ingredients Needed
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 👪 FAQs
    • 💭 Other Helpful Tips
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🍽️ Suggested Main Dishes
    • 🥗 Related Recipes
    • Cucumber Salad Recipe
    • 📋 Recipe Card
    • 💬 Reviews and Comments

    👩🏻‍🍳 Why You'll Love This Recipe

    If you're looking for a summery side salad, this easy cucumber salad might be exactly what you need. Made with onions, mayonnaise, and mint, it's packed with amazing flavors, but made in less than 15 minutes.

    I love this salad recipe because it's so simple, yet delicious, and it's always a popular side dish. It's easy to customize to suit your preferences, and both kids and adults will enjoy it.

    If you're looking for another super tasty salad with a more savory flavor profile, try this Pittsburgh Chicken Salad!

    🥘 Ingredients Needed

    The ingredients needed to make the recipe viewed from above.
    This easy salad only requires a few ingredients.
    • Cucumbers - English cucumber is the main ingredient in the recipe.
    • Red onion - Adds some flavor and color.
    • Mayonnaise - Makes the dressing creamy.
    • Apple cider vinegar - Gives the dressing a vinaigrette type flavor.
    • Olive oil - A great dressing base.
    • Mint - Adds a refreshing flavor.
    • Parsley - Pairs perfectly with cucumber and mint.
    • Salt + pepper - Seasoning enhances the flavors of the salad.

    🔪 Instructions

    Step by step instructions showing how to make this recipe.
    Follow these four steps to make the recipe.
    1. Slice the cucumbers and line them between two paper towels. Leave them for around 10 minutes. This will draw most of the liquid out of the cucumber.
    2. Place the cucumber in a bowl, and add thinly sliced red onion.
    3. Combine finely chopped mint and parsley with mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl.
    4. Pour the dressing over the cucumber and onion, and stir to combine. Serve the salad immediately.

    👪 FAQs

    Why do you salt cucumbers before salad?

    Slightly salting sliced cucumbers before adding them to salad can help to further draw the moisture out of the vegetable. This makes dressing stick to them more easily.

    What goes in a cucumber salad?

    Cucumber salad can be made in many ways, but typically consists of herbs, cucumbers and a flavorful dressing.

    A plate of the finished recipe with herbs and onion.
    A delicious side salad for any occasion!

    💭 Other Helpful Tips

    • You can slice the onion and cucumber the night before, but I recommend combining the vegetables with the dressing shortly before serving.
    • For easy slicing, use a mandolin, or a slice assistant with a sharp knife. In a pinch, you could even use a good quality vegetable Y peeler.
    • Refrigerate the salad until you're ready to serve it. It's best served chilled straight from the fridge.

    📖 Variations

    • Substitute or add any herbs as you wish. Dill or thyme are excellent options.
    • Feel free to add any vegetables that you like, such as radishes, peppers or tomatoes.
    • You can also add any toppings or garnishes like nuts or seeds.
    • Use vegan mayonnaise to make a vegan cucumber salad.
    • Substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to make a lighter version of the salad.

    🍽️ Suggested Main Dishes

    This easy cucumber salad pairs perfectly with pretty much any entree. I particularly like to serve it with summery entrees, fish and meat. Try it with this easy Chicken Tray Bake with Potatoes, or Braised Garlic and Soy Pork. You can also serve the cucumbers in a sandwich, or on top of Avocado Tuna Melt.

    It also pairs really well with fish, for example Air Fryer Tilapia, Blackened Cod or Miso Glazed Sea Bass.

    🥗 Related Recipes

    • Berry Salad - Refreshing summer salad packed with berries and fruit.
    • Kale Caesar Salad - A side dish version of Caesar salad.
    • Apple Walnut Salad - Quick, easy and packed with flavor.
    • Avocado Cucumber Quinoa Salad - A filling vegetarian salad.
    A close up of the finished recipe on a white counter.
    Serve this delicious salad with your favorite entree.

    Cucumber Salad Recipe

    Love this recipe? Awesome! Please give it a 5 star ⭐ rating below! And if you make this, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram. You can find me at DizzyBusyandHungry or #dizzybusyandhungry!

    📋 Recipe Card

    Cucumber salad with onion on a plate.

    Delicious Cucumber Salad

    Recipe Author: Tonje
    This simple yet delicious cucumber salad is the perfect side salad for summer. Pairs beautifully with meat or chicken, and is easily adapted to suit your preferences.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email Bookmark Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Resting Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 142 kcal

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowl

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 English cucumbers
    • ½ red onion
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • ¼ cup mint
    • ¼ cup parsley
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Slice the cucumber and onion thinly. Don't peel the cucumbers.
      2 English cucumbers, ½ red onion
    • Place the cucumber slices on a paper towel. Top with a second paper towel. Leave the cucumbers to rest for about 10 minutes to allow the moisture to be released.
    • Place the cucumber slices in a mixing bowl, and add thinly sliced red onion.
    • Combine apple cider vinegar, olive oil, mayonnaise, salt, pepper and finely chopped mint and parsley in a smaller bowl to make the dressing.
      2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ¼ cup mint, ¼ cup parsley
    • Pour the salad dressing over the cucumber and onion. Stir to coat evenly, and serve.

    Notes

    • Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, or use vegan mayonnaise for a vegan cucumber salad.
    • You can also try other herbs, or use dried herbs if you don't have fresh herbs available.
    • Serve the salad immediately, or within 2 hours. Refrigerate the salad until serving.
    • Feel free to add other ingredients like sliced vegetables, nuts, seeds or herbs.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 197mg | Potassium: 282mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 598IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

    Want to make cooking even easier?Sign up here to receive FREE DBH exclusive content, including my favorite kitchen shortcuts and hacks, and unlock access to the DBH resource library with many other free downloads!

    Tonje is the owner of Hintofhealthy.com, where she shares easy and healthy everyday recipes. Follow her on Facebook or Instagram for more family friendly meal inspiration.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Mairead

      July 27, 2021 at 9:36 pm

      5 stars
      Cucumber salad is a favorite from my childhood. I love the combination of apple cider vinegar with the cucumber slices in this recipe. Summer days are salad days and this recipe is definitely a keeper for a light and refreshing salad menu.

      Reply
    2. Beth

      July 27, 2021 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy! This looks amazing and so delicious. My hubby and I are going to devour this! So excited to make this refreshing salad!

      Reply
    3. Lima Ekram

      July 27, 2021 at 6:10 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this ! Love the acid from the apple cider vinegar! Very tasty!

      Reply
    4. Jeff

      July 27, 2021 at 6:00 pm

      5 stars
      I love the the mint in this recipe. What a nice salad.

      Reply
    5. Andrea

      July 27, 2021 at 5:31 pm

      5 stars
      I love the combination of flavors in this salad. It's perfect for the summertime.

      Reply

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