Cucumber Salad Recipe – This refreshing cucumber salad is a great side dish for any meal – chicken, beef, pork, fish, or vegetables! A longtime family favorite, Cucumber Onion Salad is ready in minutes and full of flavor!
Cucumber Salad is one of those salad recipes that I’m not sure who in the world invented it, but it is pretty much served in just every Southern household I’ve visited. Sometimes known as Cucumber Onion Salad, it is a timeless classic and makes a delicious, versatile side dish.
Cucumber Salad Recipe
So quick and easy to make, this cucumber salad comes together in about 10-15 minutes and is perfect for serving right away or storing away in the refrigerator to marinate in the simple dressing to just become even more delicious!
To make it, you’ll want to start with fresh cucumbers. For the cucumbers, you can use whatever type you prefer. My family has always used fresh cucumbers straight from the garden that they’ve peeled and sliced. But if you prefer a cucumber with fewer seeds, you might like to use an English cucumber instead.
If you are using onions, you’ll want to make sure to have your onion peeled and then slice it into thin slices and add to the cucumber.
Next, you’ll mix together your simple dressing for the salad that just uses a few simple ingredients. Add your vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, garlic, and water to a large liquid measuring cup or bowl. Whisk until it is well combined and then pour the dressing over the salad.
You can now serve it or cover and refrigerate overnight for the cucumbers to marinate in the dressing even more!
What Do You Serve With Cucumber Salad?
Cucumber salad makes a great side dish it is so light and refreshing! We love to have it with just about anything, but especially love it with grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, pulled pork, and even a pimento cheese sandwich!
It comes together with just a few simple ingredients and is perfect to make for weeknight meals, picnics, bbqs, or even bringing along to family reunions.
Families make this Cucumber Onion Salad in several different ways – from using apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar, only using small pickling cucumbers instead of English, adding in diced tomatoes (Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad), and adjusting the vinegar dressing to their taste.
Here’s our quick recipe for this Cucumber Onion Salad. I think you’ll love it!
Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cucumber, peeled and sliced
- sweet onion
- 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Place cucumber slices into large bowl. Cut Vidalia onion into long thin strips and add to the bowl.
- In 2-cup measuring cup, add vinegar, sugar, salt, garlic, and water. Mix well with a fork and pour over cucumber and onions. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator at least an hour before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
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.
Thanks, Chelsea. Don’t you just love those old recipes your grandmother made?
Oh my goodness! These were delicious. I had some dill on hand and added it in. I also subbed out the white vinegar as I only had apple cider vinegar on hand. These turned out just amazing. I’m going to use the drained off brine with more onion added to pickle eggs! I cannot thank you enough for this recipe.
I think apple cider vinegar is delicious in this recipe as well! I’m so glad that you loved it!
Would it be ok to add cherry tomatoes to this? Not sure cause of the vinegar…
Dina, you can add cherry tomatoes to this salad if you wish.
Thanks
I have made so many of these cucumber and onion salads and this is by far the easiest and most delicious!
Thanks, Kathryn.
No pros or cons here, delicious followed recipe only difference I used cider vinegar and dill weed.
Thanks, Debbie. So glad you liked this.
Thanks
This is my “go To ” snack! I have been doing it for years, never put sugar in it before though !
My family loves it with the sugar added to the dressing, Reg.
Absolutely delicious! Wouldn’t change a thing.
Thanks, Carolyn. This has been a favorite in my family for years.
Robyn, thanks for posting this recipe. Have been searching for a cuke/onion quick pickle recipe that I had as a child. My uncle had a huge garden and always had a batch in the fridge every summer. Your is very close to what I remember but he always put the cukes and onions in a salt and water “bath”for awhile before putting them in the vinegar dressing. Pros or cons to this? Thanks in advance
I’m glad you found the recipe, Kathy. I haven’t soaked the cucumbers and onions in salt water before so I can’t really give you pros and cons. Maybe someone else on here has and can help you.
Salt is added to a bowl of sliced cucumbers and onions, a plate is set inside the bowl and on top of cucumbers and weight is then added onto the plate to apply pressure and squeeze out some of the excess moisture. Drain and add dressing. I like vinegar mixed with miracle whip.
Thanks, Joreen, for answering Kathy’s question.