Cucumber Onion Salad Recipe

Name: Cucumber Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 cucumber (peeled and sliced); sweet onion; 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar; 1 ½ teaspoon Stone House Seasoning; 2 teaspoons sugar (optional); 1/2 cup water

Robyn Stone

Published Jun 09, 2025

75 Comments

4.94 from 29 votes

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This simple Cucumber Onion Salad combines fresh, crisp cucumbers with sweet onions and a tangy dressing for a much-loved salad. A hit at barbecues, picnics, and summer suppers, this cucumber salad is a quick and easy favorite dish!

Glass bowl with cucumbers and red onion in cucumber salad with a wooden spoon.

Cucumber Onion Salad is a quick and easy salad that’s been a favorite summer salad in the South for generations. I don’t know who initially created this simple side dish, but it has been a staple in my family for as long as I can remember. One taste and you’ll know why!

I originally shared my recipe many years ago, in 2013, but I have since updated it with new photos and additional helpful tips.

This vintage recipe is the perfect way to use those fresh cucumbers from your garden or the farmers’ market. And because this salad goes with so many main dishes – and it’s right at home for suppers, cookouts, and potlucks!

Why You’ll Love This Cucumber Salad

Fresh and Tasty – Crisp, cool cucumbers and sweet onions are highlighted with a tart apple cider vinegar dressing. It’s so delicious, it’s hard not to “taste” half the bowl before you serve it!

Quick and Easy – Chop and mix this recipe in minutes for a salad you’ll want to make all summer long!

Versatile Side Dish – This pairs deliciously with a wide range of main dishes, including BBQ favorites such as grilled chicken or hamburgers, as well as Southern supper mains like meatloaf or ribs. It’s also amazing with a pimento cheese sandwich!

Featured Comment from Chelsea:

“Delicious recipe, just like my grandma used to make! There’s many variations out there but this one is the best. I make this at least once a year for my campground’s picnics.”

How to Make Cucumber and Onion Salad

This cucumber salad is quick and easy to make, coming together in about 10-15 minutes. It is perfect for serving right away or storing in the refrigerator to marinate in the simple dressing, making it even more delicious. Here’s how you’ll make it.

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

Cucumber, Stone House Seasoning, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Onion on a Marble counter.

Cucumbers – Use whatever type of fresh cucumbers you wish. I find that crisp ones from our garden or farm stand work well. If you prefer fewer seeds, you can use an English cucumber instead.

Onions – Use a sweet onion for this recipe, such as a Vidalia onion or a red onion. After peeling it, you’ll slice the onion into long, thin strips. You can omit the onion if you wish.

Simple Dressing – Use apple cider vinegar (or distilled vinegar) and Stone House Seasoning.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bowl of cucumbers and onions with vinegar dressing at the side.

Vinegar dressing has been added to the cucumber onion salad.

Overhead view of glass bowl with cucumber onion salad. mixed in tangy dressing.

Prep the cucumbers and onion. Start by peeling and slicing the cucumber and the onion according to recipe instructions.
Make the dressing. Next, you’ll mix the vinegar and Stone House seasoning to make the dressing by adding them to a large liquid measuring cup or bowl. Whisk well and pour the dressing over the salad.
Refrigerate / Serve. Cover and place the salad in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving. You can also leave it refrigerated overnight to allow the cucumbers to marinate in the dressing even more.

Recipe Variations

I’ve seen so many versions of this iconic Cucumber Onion Salad. Here are some variations.

Adjust the vinegar – Some adjust the vinegar in the dressing to suit their taste.

Add tomatoes – Add in diced tomatoes (Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad)

Use small pickling cucumbers – Use these small, very crisp cucumbers instead of English or another type.

Add a little sugar – Sugar is listed as an optional ingredient if you wish to give the salad a sweet and tangy taste.

Storage Tips

Keep leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you mix the dressing separately, store it in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Make it Twice!

Keep the dressing for a second batch! After you’ve eaten the cucumbers and onions from the first recipe of this salad, keep the dressing chilled and add more cucumber and onion slices within a day or two for another bowl full! You should have enough dressing to make this twice!

Side view of glass bowl of cucumber onion salad.

Here’s our quick recipe for this Cucumber Onion Salad. I think you’ll love it!

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Cucumber Salad Recipe

Robyn Stone

4.94 from 29 votes

Prep Time: 15

Total Time: 15

Servings: 8

Ingredients

▢ 2 cucumber, peeled and sliced
▢ sweet onion
▢ 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar
▢ 1 ½ teaspoon Stone House Seasoning
▢ 2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
▢ 1/2 cup water

Instructions

Place cucumber slices into a large bowl. Cut Vidalia or red onion into long, thin strips and add to the bowl.
In a 2-cup measuring cup, add vinegar, sugar (if using), Stone House Seasoning, and water. Mix well with a fork and pour over cucumber and onions. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.

Notes

Seasoning:

If you do not use Stone House Seasoning, use 1 teaspoon of , 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and one finely minced garlic clove.

Storage Tips:

Keep leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

If you mix the dressing separately, store it in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Make it Twice – Keep the vinegar dressing in the fridge after you eat all the cucumber and onion, and add those veggies back to the dressing in the bowl within the next day or two.

Recipe Variations:

Adjust the vinegar – You can add a little more or less vinegar in the dressing to suit their taste.

Add tomatoes – Add in diced tomatoes (Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad)

Use small pickling cucumbers – Use these small, very crisp cucumbers instead of English or another type.

Add a little sugar – Sugar is listed as an optional ingredient if you wish to give the salad a sweet and tangy taste.