Cucumber Onion Salad makes for a welcome change of pace from the classic iceberg lettuce tossed salad. At your next barbecue, your guests will love this crunchy salad with some delicious grilled chicken breasts and a side of Homemade Garlic Bread!
Crisp fresh cucumbers are tossed with sweet onion and fresh dill for an easy summer favorite that is light and refreshing.
Easy Cucumber Onion Salad Salad
For as long as I can remember, we’ve served creamy cucumber salad at gatherings and get togethers. As much as I love the creamy version, we do love the sweet tart vinaigrette style dressing on this recipe! You can make it in no time flat from just a few simple ingredients, including sliced English cucumber, sweet onion, vinegar, fresh dill and seasonings.
Ingredients for Cucumber Onion Salad
Any cukes will do the trick, but for best results, use English cucumbers ( also known as seedless, or European cucumbers). These are longer and thinner than salad or pickling cucumbers, and often come tightly wrapped in plastic. English cucumbers also have thinner skins and a sweeter taste then salad cucumbers, and the seeds are smaller.
If you are using regular salad cucumbers, you will want to remove all or most of the peel and seeds, as these tend to be bitter and a bit tough. Many people also dislike the wax coating that is used on grocery store cucumbers to keep the product fresh longer. You’ll want to peel to remove this coating, or you can try soaking the cucumber in vinegar for several minutes and wiping the surface clean.
Vinegar
- Rice vinegar is a good choice, it’s a little sweeter and less tangy than white or cider vinegar, and won’t discolor the cucumber or onion.
- Cider vinegar is a great option and adds a bit extra flavor and tang.
- White Balsamic is also a way to boost the complexity of the flavors. It pairs well with tomatoes so feel free to toss a few in before serving and make it into a cucumber tomato salad.
Cucumber Onion Salad pairs nicely with spicy meats, such as marinated chicken or lamb skewers or even Chicken Curry.
To Make Cucumber Onion Salad
Cucumber salad comes together so easily. All you need is your salad bowl and a cutting board.
- Prep: Slice or chunk the cucumber and thinly slice the sweet onion.
- Dress: Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Marinate: Add the sliced or chunked cucumber and sliced sweet onion and toss to coat. Marinate for a few hours before serving.
Once prepped cover and refrigerate for an hour or more. This salad is best served well chilled!
Cucumber salad can be made in advance and will keep well for a couple of days. They’re great as a topper for burgers or side dish for chicken pot pie. The next time you need a simple, palate-cleansing side dish, cucumber dill salad is an easy option.
More Cucumber Favorites
- Creamy Cucumber Salad – Creamy classic.
- Cucumber Sandwiches – Perfect lunch recipe!
- Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad – Summertime favorite!
- Cucumber Bruschetta – Fresh twist on the usual.
- Greek Tzatziki – Yogurt Cucumber Dip perfect for snacking or drizzling over Grilled Chicken
- Cucumber Dill Salad – with Lemon Vinaigrette
- Creamy Cucumber Pasta Salad – A hearty and delicious side or main!
Cucumber Onion Salad
Ingredients
- 2 long english cucumbers
- ½ sweet white onion
- ⅓ cup white vinegar or cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or light olive oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash cucumbers and peel if desired. Thinly slice cucumbers and onions.
- Mix vinegar, vegetable oil, water and sugar. Combine mixture with cucumbers and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours. (Stir or toss a few times while marinating).
- Place in a bowl and toss with dill, salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad, Side Dish
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Excellent recipe. I used English cucumbers and mandolin finely cut red onion that had been rinsed in cold water to take away the bite.
Will make this a household staple. Yum!
I’ve made cucumber onion salad for decades….always used celery seed but the dill adds a nice flavor!
Best Recipe!
Thanks, Gracie!
Hello Holly.
I grew up eating my mothers pink salad. It is your creamy cucumber salad with sliced pickled beets in it. It turned pink and we thought that was so cool. So here is a proven winner for kids and adults. Try it.
Sounds delicious Mary! Will give it a try!
Looks great. How does it taste without the sugar? Will it still be delicious?
I prefer the recipe with the sugar, but you can leave it out and it’ll still be great. You can also use a sugar replacement if you prefer. I’ve done that as well. Enjoy Beth!
The sugar helps cut the ‘wang’ of the vinegar.
I made this recipe without the dill; it was a hit!
Can you can these presher can or water bath
I don’t think this recipe would hold up well to canning.
love your summer pasta salads
Thanks Judy!
I love new recipes that have ingredients already in my pantry.
Delicious and easy to make
So happy you enjoyed it Mercedes!
Very yummy!! After taking several bites each time I stirred there wasn’t much left by dinnertime.
We love irresistible recipes like this! Glad you enjoyed it Kay!
Wow that was very rude comment!!! In fact FB is where I found you Holly. I sign up for your recipes in my email. I enjoyed trying new ways to cook. Thank for sharing Holly.
Thank you Faith!
Why don’t you include twitter and FB for sharing, ticks me off!!!
I’m sorry that upsets you Marie, thank you for the suggestion. I will take a look at options for social sharing to make it easier!