Need a side dish that’s quick, easy, and bursting with flavor? Look no further than this cucumber salad recipe! Thinly sliced cucumbers tossed in a tangy, light dressing is the perfect way to add a touch of cool refreshment to any meal. Plus, it’s completely customizable – add a sprinkle of dill for a classic touch, or get creative with your favorite herbs!
Easy Cucumber Salad – a great side dish
This isn’t just any cucumber salad recipe – it’s a tried-and-true favorite that’s been a summertime staple in our kitchen for years. It’s the perfect balance of refreshing coolness and tangy flavor, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any barbecue or potluck.
Plus, it’s incredibly versatile – dress it up with fresh herbs, throw in some crumbled feta, or keep it simple and classic. No matter how you make it, this recipe is a winner you’ll come back to again and again.
Ingredients Notes
- English cucumbers – English cucumbers’ thin skin, fewer seeds, and crisp texture make them ideal for cucumber salad, but regular cucumbers work too if peeled and seeded.pen_sparktunesharemore_vert
- Red onion – Red onions add a vibrant pop of color and a slightly sweet, peppery bite to cucumber salad, but any mild onion like Vidalia will work in a pinch.
- Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar’s tangy sweetness perfectly complements cucumber salad, but white vinegar or rice vinegar can be substituted for a similar acidity.
- Olive oil
- Miracle Whip – Miracle Whip offers a creamy and tangy base for cucumber salad, but mayonnaise or a mix of sour cream and mayo can be used for a lighter or slightly tangier option
- Honey – Honey adds a touch of sweetness to cucumber salad, but granulated sugar or agave nectar can be used for a similar level of sweetness.
- Minced garlic – I prefer using fresh minced garlic, but you can use the pre-minced in the jar if pressed for time.
- Dill – I always prefer fresh dill whenever possible for maximum flavor.
- Fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper
How to Make Cucumber Salad
- Slice both cucumbers into thin round discs (we love using our mandoline slicer to make thin and consistent slices.) Slice the red onion in thin half circles. Combine in a large bowl.
- Salt and pepper the vegetables to your liking.
- Pour the dressing over the sliced vegetables. Toss to coat.
- Add the chopped parsley.
- Place the salad bowl in the fridge to chill before serving.
Variations & Tips
You can play around with the ingredients in your Cucumber Salad or follow the ingredients above and leave it as is. This can be a versatile recipe by playing around with the vegetables, vinegar, and seasonings that you choose to mix in.
- Vegetables: Cucumber Salad can be fun to experiment with, adding various ingredients here and there. Some ideas for additions to cucumber salad are bell peppers, avocado, cherry tomatoes, or artichokes. You can also remove the onions if you’re not a fan.
- Cheese: I love the addition of some feta cheese.
- Vinegar: You could swap out the rice wine vinegar for red or balsamic vinegar. This really depends on your taste preference.
- There is no need to peel the cucumbers, if using English cucumbers. The skin is very thin and easy to eat. If you are using regular cucumbers, I would recommend peeling them and scooping out the seeds.
How to Serve
Cucumber Salad goes great with anything that’s cooked on the grill or any summer staple dish. I love whipping this up to have along with grilled chicken breasts. It’s also great with hamburgers or hot dogs. Another go-to dish to pair this up with is the classics like pulled chicken or sloppy joe sandwiches.
Proper Storage
Be sure to store your Cucumber Salad in an airtight container in the fridge. Using vinegar with cucumbers is essentially pickling them. In this case, for the best flavor, you need to keep them air-free. A bowl with a good, tight lid or a glass jar will do the trick.
This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For the best texture and flavor, it’s recommended to enjoy it within 3-4 days.
Other Easy Side Dishes
- Easy Baked Beans
- Mashed Potato Casserole
- Mexican Corn Salad
- Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
- Potato Salad
- Grape Salad
- Ambrosia Salad
- Jennifer Aniston’s Salad
Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2 English cucumbers thinly sliced
- 1 large red onion thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Miracle Whip
- 1½ tablespoons honey
- ½ tablespoon minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons dill
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice cucumbers into thin slices. Slice the red onion in thin half circles. Combine in a large bowl.2 English cucumbers, 1 large red onion
- Salt and pepper the vegetables to your liking.salt and black pepper to taste
- In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Miracle Whip, honey, garlic, and dill to make the dressing.3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons Miracle Whip, 1½ tablespoons honey, ½ tablespoon minced garlic, 3 tablespoons dill
- Pour the dressing over the sliced vegetables. Toss to coat.
- Add the chopped parsley.1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- Place the salad bowl in the fridge to chill before serving.
My favorite💗💗💗💗Thank you so much for posting this 💗
I made this for a picnic last Saturday and everyone loved it!! It was also very refreshing also great side dish