Easy Cucumber Salad
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This cucumber salad combines crisp cucumber slices with red onion tossed in a simple vinegar dressing. It’s refreshing, easy to make and the perfect summer side dish.
If you have a garden that’s overflowing in cucumbers, this cucumber salad recipe is for you! It’s seriously so easy to whip up. All you need are cucumbers, onions and a simple vinegar dressing… that’s it!
The inspiration for this salad came from my childhood. My mom would make a very similar cucumber salad and bring it to all the summer parties, so I’m continuing the tradition!
This simple cucumber salad with red onion is one of my favorite easy summer sides. It’s crisp, tangy and comes together in just minutes with a simple vinegar dressing.
Table of Contents
“Loved how simple this was. I made it as a side with your black bean burgers and it paired perfectly. The maple syrup was such a nice touch and balanced the dressing so well!”
Why I Love This Cucumber Salad
- Crisp and refreshing: Thinly sliced cucumber and red onion give this salad the perfect fresh, crunchy bite.
- Simple but flavorful: The vinegar dressing is tangy, slightly sweet and brings everything together.
- Quick and easy: You only need a few ingredients and about 10 minutes to make it.
- Perfect summer side: Great for BBQs, cookouts or an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients Needed
- cucumbers – the star of the show! Cucumbers bring a refreshing crunch to this salad. I used English cucumbers, but feel free to use whatever variety you have available to you.
- red onion – thinly sliced red onion adds a pop of color and a slight bite.
- white vinegar – what gives this salad its characteristic tang.
- maple syrup – a touch of natural sweetness to balance out the flavors.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Cucumber Salad
This cucumber salad recipe couldn’t get any easier to make!
Step 1: Add the sliced cucumbers and red onion to a large bowl.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing. Pour it over the cucumbers and onion, toss to combine and serve immediately or let it sit for 1–2 hours before serving.
Brittany’s Tips
- Slice everything thin: Thin slices help the cucumbers and red onion absorb the dressing quickly and evenly.
- Let it sit for better flavor: Even 30 minutes makes a big difference as the cucumbers soak up the dressing.
- Use a slotted spoon to serve: The cucumbers will release liquid as they sit, so this helps avoid a watery plate.
How to Serve
This cucumber red onion salad is one of my go-to sides because it pairs with just about anything, especially in the summer.
- With grilled protein: I love serving it with something simple like my grilled chicken kabobs or grilled shrimp skewers for an easy dinner.
- With burgers or sandwiches: It’s so good with my black bean burgers or turkey burgers for a fresh, crunchy side.
- As a light side: I’ll add this alongside something like my hot honey chicken sheet pan meal to balance out the flavors.
- For cookouts or potlucks: This is an easy side to bring with dishes like my grilled BBQ chicken breasts or buffalo cauliflower wings and it always disappears fast.
How to Store
This is a great make-ahead recipe for all your summer parties! Store this cucumber salad for up to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
Just a note that the cucumbers will release water as they sit, so the salad might become more liquidy over time. It’s a good idea to give your salad a good stir before serving if it’s been sitting for a while.
Frequently Asked Questions
I used English cucumbers for this salad as they’re typically sweeter, have fewer seeds and thinner skin. That said, you can use whatever variety of cucumber you want! Persian cucumbers or regular cucumbers will both work for this recipe. Just a note, that if you use Persian cucumbers, which are much smaller, you’ll want to double the amount that you use.
That’s totally up to you! I didn’t peel my cucumbers for this salad, but if you prefer to peel your cucumbers, go for it!
More Salad Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Cucumber Salad with Red Onion
Ingredients
- 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- fresh dill, for serving, optional
Instructions
- Add cucumbers and onions to a medium bowl.2 large English cucumbers, ½ red onion
- Whisk together vinegar, water, maple syrup, salt and pepper in a small bowl.¼ cup white vinegar, ¼ cup water, 2 teaspoons maple syrup, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pour dressing over the cucumber and onion mixture and toss to combine. Serve immediately or let soak for 1-2 hours in the fridge to let the cucumbers soak up the dressing more. Serve with a slotted spoon.
Video
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days. Stir before serving as liquid may accumulate.
- Make it sweeter or tangier: Adjust the maple syrup or vinegar slightly to fit your taste.
- Add herbs: Fresh dill, parsley or mint are great additions if you want to switch up the flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
Loved how simple this was. I made it as a side with your black bean burgers and it paired perfectly. The maple syrup was such a nice touch and balanced the dressing so well!