This simple recipe makes the most of fresh summer produce!
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❤️ Why you'll love it
- Fresh cucumbers are so refreshing on a hot summer day
- A versatile side dish that goes with almost anything
- Made with simple ingredients you already have in your pantry—or in the garden!
Lightly marinated cucumbers combine with zesty red onion and a tangy vinegar dressing to make a crave-worthy summer salad.
It's a great way to tempt pickier diners into eating some veggies—who knew healthy recipes could be so satisfying?
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Cut the cucumber into thin slices. Salt and let the slices drain.
- Rinse then mix the drained cucumber and red onion together in a large bowl.
- Whisk together the remaining ingredients.
- Combine the marinade with the fresh veggies. Let sit for an hour.
🥫 Storage
Southern cucumber salad keeps well in the fridge. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container—a mason jar works well!
You can make Southern cucumber salad ahead of time—just store it in the fridge until you're ready to eat it. In fact, the longer the cucumbers sit in the marinade, the more flavorful they will be!
However, for best results, enjoy the simple salad within three days. You can eat it cold out of the fridge, or let it come to room temperature, first.
📖 Variations
Simple recipes are so good because they let the best flavors shine. However, there are a few different ways you can personalize this great side dish.
- Cool as a Cucumber: I like English cucumbers, but it's up to personal preference which kind of cucumber you use. Any will work—if you have some growing in your garden during the summer months, use 'em up!
- Other Onions: If you prefer the taste of sweet Vidalia onions, white onions, or some other kind of onion, go ahead and swap them in place of the red.
- More Veggies: Cherry tomatoes, fresh corn, and diced green pepper perfectly enhance the flavors of this refreshing cucumber salad.
- Vary the Vinegar: Though apple cider vinegar imparts the perfect flavor to this cucumber vinegar salad, you could also use white, red wine, or rice vinegar. They all have subtle flavor differences, so the best way to decide which is tastiest is to try them all—but not all at once, of course!
- Finish with Herbs: The fresh flavors of herbs are a great accompaniment to the crisp produce and tart vinegar. Consider adding some fresh dill weed, basil, parsley, or another one of your favorite fresh herbs.
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: You don't have to peel the cucumbers, especially if they have thinner skin. In fact, I like to leave it on! However, if you prefer the peel off, go right ahead and remove it! I'd recommend using a vegetable peeler to make it easier than a knife, though.
- If the cucumbers have a waxed outer skin be sure to peel them.
- Thin cucumber slices marinate more quickly, so for the best flavor, make even, narrow cuts using a mandoline slicer.
- For the best taste in simple salad recipes, make sure all of your ingredients are high quality. That even goes for the salt, too! I like to use kosher salt, but good sea salt will work.
- If you can, use fresh cracked black peppercorns, rather than plain ground black pepper. The taste is fresher, and fresher is better!
- The longer you let the salad marinate, the more the cucumbers will soak up the tangy, vinegar dressing. My family loves it tangy, and the sugar balances it out well, but if you prefer a very mild flavor, cut the dressing with a splash of olive oil to taste.
👩🍳 FAQs
English cucumbers are typically sweeter and have smaller seeds than some of the other varieties sold in local grocery stores. Also, the skin is thinner which makes it more enjoyable to eat.
They are similar salads, but this light and fresh version doesn't include sour cream—the single ingredient that puts the "cream" in "creamy cucumber salad."
My family goes back and forth between which version we like better—I say, there's an occasion for every dish! If it's especially hot or the salad will be sitting out for a while, I use this no-cream version so it doesn't spoil!
Next time, try my easy creamy cucumber salad and compare them for yourself! Sour cream or not, it's pretty much the perfect side dish.
Nope! Totally up to personal preference. If you're buying pre-cut onion and they only have one cut over the other, don't worry—it'll taste the same either way.
I wouldn't replace the vinegar fully, but feel free to swap some of the measured vinegar out in order to add a little lemon juice if you please.
📚 Related recipes
- Sweet peas are perfectly paired with red onion, cheddar, and a creamy salad dressing in the summertime classic: English Pea Salad.
- If Creamy Cucumber Salad was always your fave at cookouts and church picnics, save this ASAP—it's nostalgic, easy, and so refreshing.
- From burgers to salads and everything in between, Panera Pickled Onions add crazy levels of flavor and crunch to a simple summer meal.
🍽️ Serve with...
- Lipton Onion Soup Burgers
- Dr Pepper Baked Beans
- Southern Mac and Cheese with Beer
- No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake
📞 The last word
When you find a great deal on cucumbers at the farmer's market grab 'em and then make this refreshing side dish!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Southern Cucumber Salad with Onions
Print Pin Recipe SaveEquipment Needed
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- ¼ pound red onion, sliced
- ½ cup cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons white sugar, or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Place sliced cucumbers in a colander over a bowl.
- Sprinkle kosher salt over the top and stir to coat all sides of the cucumber slices.
- Let stand for 30 minutes to allow the liquid to drip off.
- Rinse the cucumbers.
- Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Place cucumber and onion slices in a large bowl.
- Mix the remaining ingredients and pour over the top.
- Stir gently.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Thin cucumber slices marinate more quickly, so for the best flavor, make even, narrow cuts using a mandoline slicer.
- If you can, use fresh cracked black peppercorns, rather than plain ground black pepper.
- The longer you let the salad marinate, the more the cucumbers will soak up the tangy, vinegar dressing.
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