My mom's cucumber and onion salad is one of my favorite ways to eat fresh cucumbers every summer. It’s so cool and refreshing and is ready in less than 15 minutes. Try it at your next potluck or BBQ!
This iconic summer salad is ideal for serving with grilled meats and is just as good with a piece of Croatian grilled chicken as it is with the finest New York strip steak. Scale it up to feed a crowd or make a small batch just for yourself. Do you prefer a creamy cucumber salad? Try Aunt Betty's Dill Cucumber Salad with Onion.
Why You’ll Love This Cucumber And Onion Salad
- Great for potlucks - Since this cucumber onion salad uses vinegar instead of mayonnaise, it’s the perfect side dish for potlucks and picnics.
- Light and refreshing - The cool cucumber and sharp onion taste wonderful in the slightly sweet, tangy brine. There’s nothing like it on a hot summer day!
- Classic flavor - If you grew up eating a simple cucumber onion salad, this easy recipe will take you right back in time! It’s simple, but it has a timeless flavor.
Ingredients
- Cucumber - Use mild slicing cucumbers, like English cucumbers, or young, firm cucumbers from the garden.
- Onion - Choose either sweet yellow or red onion.
- Salt & pepper
- Vinegar - Keep it simple with white or apple cider vinegar.
- Water
- Sugar
Variations
- Try rice vinegar - Rice vinegar has a really mild, slightly sweet flavor that’s wonderful with cucumbers.
- Add herbs - This salad would be even more refreshing with a pinch of fresh herbs, like fresh mint or dill.
- Make it creamy - Skip the water and add a dollop of mayonnaise for a tangy, creamy salad.
How to Make Cucumber and Onion Salad
- Slice the cucumbers (in rounds) and onions thinly and place them in a shallow serving dish.
- Mix the other ingredients in a small bowl or measuring cup until the salt and sugar are dissolved.
- Pour the vinegar mixture over the cucumber and onion slices.
- Serve immediately, or chill.
Expert Tips
- Soak the onions - Raw onions can have a funky flavor that overpowers your palate. To combat this, peel and cut the onion in half, then soak it for 15-20 minutes in a bowl with ice water.
- Let it rest - As the cucumber salad sits, the flavors will mingle together. The cucumbers will release moisture and become slightly softer but taste wonderful.
- Sweeten to taste - This dish is typically quite sweet as the sugar balances the tart vinegar. Adjust the sweetness to your taste preferences, and feel free to use honey instead.
Recipe FAQs
Should you peel the cucumbers for cucumber and onion salad?
Although many of us grew up peeling cucumbers, most modern varieties don’t require this step. They’re bred to be burpless and less bitter, especially slicing varieties like English cucumbers. Even cucumbers that can become bitter tend to be mild when young and firm. You only need to peel if your cucumbers are bitter or the skin is very thick. Otherwise, it’s not necessary.
Can you use brown sugar for cucumber salad?
It’s traditional to serve cucumber and onion salad slightly sweet. It’s almost like making cold, sweet pickles with tangy vinegar and sweet sugar. You can use either white or brown sugar, but remember that the brown sugar will add a rich, caramel-like flavor that may distract from the refreshing vegetable flavors. Honey is also a great choice, as it has a mild flavor that pairs well with vinegar.
How thick should you slice cucumbers for cucumber and onion salad?
There are many different cucumber salads and several ways to slice the cucumbers. For this salad, I prefer to slice them thinly into rounds using a knife or a mandolin slicer. You can also slice the cucumber into quarters or peel and hollow larger cucumbers, then slice them into half moons. The thinner the cucumber, the faster it will absorb the brine. The thicker the cucumber, the crispier and crunchier the cucumbers will be.
More Salad Recipes You'll Love
- Cucumber Salsa
- Pea and Cucumber Salad
- Savory Sweet Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
- Sweet Potato Pine Nut Salad
- Brown Rice Salad with Cranberries and Nuts
- Louisiana Black Eyed Pea Salad
Cucumber and Onion Salad Recipe
Author: Recipe Idea Shop
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber
- 1 medium onion sweet yellow or red
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Dash of freshly ground pepper
- 3 tablespoons distilled vinegar white vinegar, or use apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon water
- 1-2 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Slice the cucumbers (in rounds) and onions thinly and place them in a shallow serving dish.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix the other ingredients until the salt and sugar are dissolved.
- Pour the vinegar mixture over the cucumber and onion slices.
- Serve immediately, or chill.
Kathy acquired the blog, Recipe Idea Shop in 2024. She was raised on a farm in Arkansas where having a big garden and good food to eat was the norm. She shares recipes for homemade comfort food and new trending dishes.
Kathy began her blogging journey in 2011 when she founded PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, and thrift store finds.
