Fresh & Zingy Cucumber Salad Recipe: A Summer Delight

Cool summer days demand a refreshing cucumber salad that instantly brightens any meal.

Mediterranean kitchens have long celebrated this crisp, zesty dish.

Fresh herbs mingle with crunchy vegetables, creating a delightful harmony of flavors.

Slicing cucumbers thinly allows each bite to burst with garden-fresh goodness.

Salt draws out excess moisture, concentrating the vegetable’s natural sweetness.

Quick and simple ingredients come together in minutes, promising a delectable side that complements grilled meats or stands beautifully alone.

You’ll love how this recipe brings sunshine to your plate with minimal effort.

How to Assemble the Crispest Cucumber Salad

Step 1: Slice Crisp Cucumbers

Grab your sharpest knife or mandoline slicer and create paper-thin cucumber slices. Gently transfer these delicate rounds into a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring they’re ready for flavor magic.

Step 2: Welcome Vibrant Onions

Thinly slice red onions with precision and sprinkle them into the cucumber haven. Their bright color and sharp taste will elevate the entire salad.

Step 3: Craft Tangy Dressing

• White vinegar
• Granulated sugar
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Whisk these ingredients until the sugar completely dissolves, creating a smooth, harmonious blend.

Step 4: Marry Vegetables And Dressing

Pour the tangy dressing over the cucumber and onion mixture. Use a gentle folding technique to ensure every slice gets beautifully coated with the vibrant seasoning.

Step 5: Chill And Amplify Flavors

Cover your salad and let it rest in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. This resting period allows the ingredients to mingle and intensify their delicious profiles. Optional: Garnish with fresh dill for an extra herb punch before serving.

Tips for Crunch, Balance, and Brightness

• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp mandoline or carefully slice cucumbers thinly to ensure uniform, delicate pieces that absorb dressing perfectly.
• Balance Onion Intensity: Soak sliced red onions in cold water for 5 minutes to reduce sharp bite and mellowness, creating a more balanced flavor profile.
• Adjust Dressing Sweetness: Customize sugar levels based on your taste preference, using honey or agave as alternative sweeteners for different flavor complexity.
• Enhance Herb Freshness: Chop fresh dill or parsley right before serving to maximize aromatic oils and provide vibrant, crisp garnish that elevates the salad's visual appeal.
• Quick Pickle Technique: Let salad marinate longer than 15-20 minutes for deeper flavor absorption, but avoid exceeding 2 hours to prevent cucumbers from becoming too soft.

How to Keep Cucumber Salad Fresh in the Fridge

• Store cucumber salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Before storing, remove excess liquid to prevent soggy vegetables.
• Gently stir the salad before serving to redistribute the dressing and revive the flavors.
• Do not freeze cucumber salad as it will make the texture watery and lose its crisp texture.

Great Dishes to Serve Alongside This Salad

• Select a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the salad's light, tangy profile and cuts through the vinegar's sharpness.
• Serve alongside grilled chicken, fish, or pork to balance the cool, crunchy cucumber salad with warm, savory meat dishes.
• Add a rustic sourdough or crusty baguette to soak up the delicious dressing and provide a satisfying textural contrast.
• Create a light, refreshing drink by adding fresh mint or basil to sparkling water, mirroring the salad's clean, bright flavors.

Twist the Flavor with These Add-Ons

• Low-Carb Cucumber Salad: Replace sugar with stevia or erythritol for a keto-friendly version that maintains sweetness without added carbohydrates.
• Greek-Inspired Variation: Add crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and dried oregano for a Mediterranean flavor profile that transforms the basic cucumber salad.
• Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad: Swap vinegar with rice vinegar, add sesame oil, chopped cilantro, and red pepper flakes for a zesty, tangy Asian-inspired alternative.
• Herb Garden Cucumber Salad: Incorporate fresh chopped herbs like basil, mint, and chives to create a vibrant, garden-fresh version with complex herbal notes.

Cucumber Salad FAQs Answered

• What type of cucumbers work best for this salad?

English or Persian cucumbers are ideal due to their thin skin and fewer seeds, making them crisp and refreshing without needing to peel or remove seeds.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this cucumber salad up to 24 hours in advance. The flavors will continue to develop and become more pronounced as it chills in the refrigerator.

• Is this salad healthy?

Absolutely! Cucumber salad is low in calories, high in water content, and provides essential nutrients like vitamin K and potassium. It’s a great light and nutritious side dish.

• How do I prevent the salad from becoming watery?

To prevent excess water, slice cucumbers thinly, salt them lightly, and let them sit for 10 minutes before adding other ingredients. This helps draw out moisture and keeps the salad crisp.

Why Cucumber Salad Hits the Spot

• Perfect for busy home cooks craving a fast, delicious side dish that takes mere minutes to prepare.
• Swap ingredients or adjust seasoning to match personal taste preferences, making this cucumber salad incredibly versatile for any meal.
• Offer a cool, crisp accompaniment that provides instant relief during summer gatherings or as a light, hydrating side dish for picnics and barbecues.
• Require only basic kitchen tools and simple ingredients, ensuring anyone can create a restaurant-quality salad without complicated techniques or expensive components.

What You Need to Make This Fresh Salad

• Cucumber: Crisp, refreshing base for the salad with a cool, light texture. English or Persian cucumbers work best for less water and fewer seeds.
• Red Onion: Sharp, tangy flavor that adds bite and color to the salad. Thinly sliced for a mild, crunchy element.

• White Vinegar: Provides tangy acidity and helps balance the salad's flavors. Adds brightness and helps pickle the vegetables slightly.
• Sugar: Balances the vinegar's sharpness with a touch of sweetness. Helps mellow the overall taste.
• Salt: Enhances and intensifies the natural flavors of the vegetables and dressing.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth to the salad's overall flavor profile.

• Fresh Dill: Optional herb that brings a light, aromatic, and herbaceous note. Provides a fresh finish to the cucumber salad.

Cucumber Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cool Mediterranean cucumber salad delivers crisp Mediterranean flavors with zesty herbs and tangy dressing. Refreshing ingredients blend perfectly, creating a light summer side dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 large cucumbers (English or Persian cucumbers work best)
• ¼ red onion, thinly sliced

Dressing Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (or honey, for a natural sweetener)

Seasoning Ingredients:

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Carefully slice cucumbers using a sharp knife or mandoline, ensuring uniform, delicate cuts to create elegant, translucent rounds.
2. Incorporate thinly shaved red onion into the cucumber slices, distributing them evenly throughout the mixing bowl.
3. Craft a vibrant dressing by whisking vinegar, sugar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the sugar completely dissolves, creating a harmonious liquid.
4. Gently cascade the prepared dressing over the cucumber and onion mixture, using a soft folding technique to ensure each vegetable slice is thoroughly coated with the tangy mixture.
5. Allow the salad to marinate in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes, enabling the flavors to intertwine and develop a refreshing, crisp profile.
6. Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss and optionally garnish with delicate sprigs of fresh dill for an aromatic finishing touch.

Notes

• Choose crisp, firm cucumbers without soft spots for the best texture and crunch in your salad.
• Slice cucumbers super thin using a sharp mandoline for professional-looking, uniform pieces that absorb dressing perfectly.
• Balance the vinegar’s tanginess by adjusting sugar levels according to personal taste preferences, creating a personalized sweet-sour profile.
• Transform this salad into a low-carb option by replacing sugar with a sugar-free sweetener like stevia or monk fruit for diabetic-friendly variations.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 50
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg