Fresh & Zingy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Summer Enjoyment

Whipping up a refreshing cucumber salad brings instant summer vibes to your table.

Cool crisp vegetables dance with zesty herbs in this simple Mediterranean-inspired dish.

Vibrant green slices create a light and nutritious companion for grilled proteins or standalone lunch.

Seasonal ingredients make this recipe shine with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

A handful of pantry staples come together quickly for a delightful side that impresses without complexity.

Crunchy textures and bright notes promise a delectable experience you’ll want to savor again and again.

Let’s make magic happen with this irresistible cucumber salad that screams fresh and fabulous.

Gather Everything For Crunchy Cucumber Salad Bowls

• Cucumber: A crisp and cool vegetable that provides the base for this refreshing salad.
• Onion: Adds a sharp and tangy flavor to complement the cucumber.

• Sugar: Balances the acidity and adds a subtle sweetness to the salad.
• Kosher Salt: Helps to draw out moisture from the vegetables and intensifies the overall flavor.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Provides a tangy and bright acidic note to the cucumber salad.

How To Make Cucumber Salad In Minutes

Step 1: Slice Cucumbers and Onions

Use a sharp knife to thinly slice fresh cucumbers and crisp onions into delicate, translucent pieces.

Create uniform, elegant cuts that will help the ingredients absorb flavors quickly and evenly.

Step 2: Season Vegetables

Gently sprinkle sugar and kosher salt over the sliced cucumbers and onions.

Use your hands or tongs to toss and coat the vegetables thoroughly, ensuring each slice gets a light, even seasoning.

Step 3: Add Tangy Splash

Pour red wine vinegar over the seasoned vegetables, stirring gently to distribute the liquid.

The vinegar will create a bright, zesty profile that enhances the natural crispness of the cucumber and onion.

Step 4: Marinate and Develop Flavors

Allow the cucumber salad to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.

During this time, the ingredients will mingle, creating a harmonious blend of sweet, salty, and tangy notes that make this salad irresistibly delicious.

Step 5: Chill or Serve

You can serve the cucumber salad immediately for a fresh, crisp experience or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to intensify the flavors.

The salad maintains its crunch and delivers a refreshing side dish perfect for summer gatherings or as a light accompaniment to main courses.

Tips For Crisp And Tangy Cucumber Salad Flavor

• Use a sharp knife or mandoline to create super-thin cucumber and onion slices, ensuring maximum flavor absorption and a delightful crisp texture.
• Adjust red wine vinegar quantity to suit your taste preferences, adding more for tanginess or less for a milder profile.
• After marinating, gently drain any excess liquid to prevent the salad from becoming watery and maintain its vibrant texture.
• Refrigerating for up to 2 hours allows ingredients to develop a more intense, well-blended taste that's refreshing and zesty.
• Sprinkle fresh dill or chopped parsley just before serving to add a bright, aromatic dimension to the classic cucumber salad.

Cucumber Salad Variations For Every Occasion

• Low-Carb Crunch: Replace sugar with stevia or erythritol for a diabetic-friendly version that maintains sweetness without added carbohydrates.
• Mediterranean Remix: Swap red wine vinegar with lemon juice and add crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh dill for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Spicy Garden Salad: Incorporate diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to create a zesty kick that transforms the classic cucumber salad into a spicier side dish.
• Asian-Inspired Option: Substitute red wine vinegar with rice vinegar and add sesame oil, minced garlic, and chopped cilantro for an East Asian flavor profile.

Creative Ways To Serve Fresh Cucumber Salad

• Fresh Picnic Partner: Pack this zesty cucumber salad in mason jars for a perfect outdoor meal companion during summer gatherings.
• Cool Protein Sidekick: Serve alongside grilled chicken, fish, or barbecue meats to add a refreshing and tangy contrast to rich main dishes.
• Mediterranean Mezze Plate: Arrange the cucumber salad as part of a colorful spread with hummus, olives, pita bread, and feta cheese for a light Mediterranean-style appetizer or lunch.
• Quick Sandwich Topper: Use this salad as a crisp, acidic topping for sandwiches or wraps to add extra flavor and crunch to your meal.

Storing Cucumber Salad For All Day Freshness

• Store cucumber salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Stir gently before serving to redistribute the dressing.
• Before storing, use a slotted spoon to transfer salad to prevent soggy texture and maintain crispness.
• Do not freeze this salad as cucumbers and onions will become watery and lose their crisp texture when thawed.
• If salad seems watery after storage, drain excess liquid and add a sprinkle of fresh vinegar and a pinch of salt to revive flavors.

FAQs

• Are the cucumbers peeled before slicing?

You can leave the skin on for added nutrients and crunch, or peel partially or completely based on personal preference.

• Can I use a different type of vinegar?

White vinegar or apple cider vinegar work well as alternatives to red wine vinegar in this recipe.

• How thin should I slice the cucumbers?

Use a sharp knife or mandoline to slice cucumbers very thinly, about 1/8 inch thick for the best texture and flavor absorption.

• Is this salad healthy?

Yes, cucumber salad is low in calories, high in water content, and provides good hydration and nutrients with minimal preparation.

Why This Cucumber Salad Recipe Is So Refreshing

• Savor Fresh Flavor Fusion: Tangy red wine vinegar and sweet sugar create a delightful taste harmony that transforms simple vegetables into a zesty, refreshing experience.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows personal tweaks like adding herbs, adjusting vinegar levels, or incorporating different onion varieties to match individual taste preferences.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Suitable for backyard barbecues, potlucks, family dinners, and summer gatherings, this salad appeals to diverse palates and complements multiple main courses.

Cucumber Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean cucumber salad brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate with crisp vegetables and zesty herbs. Refreshing and light, this quick dish offers perfect summer comfort for cool palates seeking authentic Mediterranean flavors you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) seedless cucumbers, thinly sliced crosswise on a mandoline
• 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 grams) sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (9 grams) kosher salt

Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 tablespoons (37.5 milliliters) red wine vinegar

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Instructions

1. Slice cucumbers and onions into delicate, translucent ribbons using a sharp knife or mandoline for uniform thinness.
2. Transfer the sliced vegetables into a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring gentle handling to maintain crisp texture.
3. Generously dust sugar and kosher salt over the vegetable mixture, using fingertips to distribute seasonings evenly and create a light coating.
4. Drizzle red wine vinegar across the salad, gently folding ingredients to ensure complete integration of flavors and balanced seasoning.
5. Allow the salad to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, permitting the vegetables to release natural moisture and absorb tangy vinegar undertones.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding a pinch of salt or splash of vinegar to enhance the profile.
7. Chill in refrigerator for up to 2 hours before serving to intensify the marinated essence, but consume within this timeframe to maintain vegetable crispness.
8. Serve cold as a refreshing side dish, garnishing with fresh herbs like dill or parsley for added visual appeal and aromatic complexity.

Notes

• Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice cucumbers and onions paper-thin for the best texture and even marination.
• Adjust sugar levels based on personal preference, reducing for a tangier profile or increasing for a sweeter taste.
• Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor development, allowing vinegar and salt to perfectly pickle the vegetables.
• For a low-carb or keto version, substitute sugar with a zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or erythritol to maintain the classic sweet-tangy balance.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Pickling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 18 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 360 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg