Simple Cucumber Salad

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Quick and easy cucumber salad makes itself right at home next to just about any summer recipe. A sweet and tangy vinaigrette makes it so refreshing!

a blue bowl filled with cucumber salad

For this month’s Progressive Eats menu, we’re celebrating the season with simple summer dishes. From blistered shishito peppers to pink lemonade slushies, these are the kind of recipes that are perfect for enjoying outside under the sun. Mix and match side dishes to go with your favorite burgers or just lay out a spread to pick at all afternoon! 

For me, summer wouldn’t be summer without this cucumber salad recipe. It’s one of my go-to summer traditions because it’s easy to make and super refreshing when it’s hot outside. 

ingredients for cucumber salad

Ingredients for cucumber salad

It’s so easy to riff on this fresh cucumber salad recipe to make it your own. Quality produce has been a little hit or miss these days, so I kept things salad simple with just cucumbers and red onions. But you can jazz it up by adding big slices of juicy heirloom tomato or avocado. If you prefer a creamier dressing, you can also stir in a tablespoon or two of sour cream. 

My “secret ingredient” for making the best cucumber and onion salad is tarragon vinegar. It has a wonderful bittersweet flavor with herbal notes and a hint of licorice. There’s really nothing quite like it. If you don’t have any, you can also use champagne vinegar.  I highly recommend giving tarragon vinegar a try though. You can buy it (affiliate link) or make your own. It’s also great on this lovely asparagus salad. 

I also like adding celery seed to my cucumber salad. It gives it a touch of celery flavor, without the stringy texture that sliced celery has. That texture just doesn’t belong here. If you don’t have celery salt, finely chopped celery leaves make a nice substitute. 

making cucumber salad

Is cucumber salad basically just pickles? 

I mean, yes. Pretty much! This salad is a little more complex and a little less acidic than you’d typically expect pickles to be, but at its core it’s basically a quick pickle. If you have any left over, it’s great on anything that pickles might be found on. Try putting it on burgers or pulled pork sandwiches or even adding some to shredded chicken tacos. 

What else is on the menu? 

Simple Cucumber Salad 1
Welcome to Progressive Eats, our virtual version of a Progressive Dinner Party. This month’s theme is Easy Summer Dishes, and our host is Barb who blogs at Creative Culinary If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats it’s a virtual party. A theme is chosen each month, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party, and you can hop from blog to blog to check them out. Come along and see all of the delicious summer inspired dishes!

Easy Summer Dishes

Appetizers Side Dishes Desserts
a fork full of cucumber sald
landscape image of cucumber salad in a bowl

Simple Cucumber Salad

4.67 from 3 votes
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Course: Healthy Salad Recipes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cucumber and onion salad, cucumber salad, cucumber salad recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 27kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 English cucumbers
  • 1 red onion
  • 2 Tablespoons tarragon vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon celery seed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Instructions

  • Thinly slice the cucumbers and onions. If you have a mandoline, this will help you get even slices, but a sharp knife also works well.
  • Place in a large, nonreasctice bowl. Sprinkle with the celery seeds and salt.
  • In a small dish, whisk together the vinegar and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Pour over the cucumber salad; let sit 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for several days.
Nutrition Facts
Simple Cucumber Salad
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 27
% Daily Value*
Sodium 357mg16%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 1g2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @HealthyDelish or tag #HealthyDelish!
lauren

Hi, I'm Lauren!

I'm a certified plant-based cook and enthusiastic omnivore who loves looking for creative ways to make weeknight meals more nutritious. I'm the author of Heathy Eating One Pot Cookbook and Healthy Meal Prep Slow Cooker Cookbook. I also blog at The Busy Foodie. Read more...

 

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6 thoughts on “Simple Cucumber Salad”

  1. Cucumber salad is one of my favorites. I’m always on a quest for the perfect one. I’m definitely adding this to my menu this summer.

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    My mother-in-law used to make a wonderful cucumber salad. I haven’t whipped one up in years, but I’m going to use tarragon vinegar with my next batch! Such a yummy, simple recipe!

    Reply
4.67 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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