Fresh Cucumber Salad Recipe: Zesty Summer Delight!

Cucumber salad bursts with vibrant flavors that transform ordinary slicing into a culinary adventure.

This zesty recipe unlocks the potential of fresh vegetables with remarkable simplicity.

Summer’s cool essence dances on your plate through crisp, tangy ingredients that sing with brightness.

Delicate herbs and light dressing mingle to create a refreshing symphony of taste.

Each crunchy bite delivers a burst of invigorating freshness that awakens sleepy palates.

Simple techniques turn ordinary cucumbers into an extraordinary side dish that elevates any meal.

You’ll be amazed how quickly this salad becomes your go-to recipe for instant kitchen magic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 108 kcal

Servings: 8

Cucumber Salad Ingredient Breakdown

• Cucumber: Select firm, bright green cucumbers without soft spots or yellowing edges for the crispest texture.
• Onion: Choose a robust, shiny onion without bruises or sprouting, which ensures a sharp, clean flavor.

• White Vinegar, Water: Pick high-quality distilled white vinegar for a clean, sharp pickling liquid that won't overpower the vegetables.
• Granulated Sugar: Use pure white sugar to balance the tangy vinegar and create a smooth, rounded flavor profile.

• Fresh Dill: Seek bright green, feathery dill with a vibrant aroma, indicating maximum flavor and freshness for the perfect herbal touch.

Tools Needed for Cucumber Salad Prep

• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining and mixing cucumber and onion slices.
• Saucepan: Perfect for heating and dissolving sugar in the pickling liquid.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for thinly and evenly slicing vegetables.
• Cutting Board: Clean surface for safe vegetable preparation.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and combining ingredients.
• Refrigerator: Chills the salad and helps flavors develop.

Instructions for Making Cucumber Salad

• Slice and Prepare Vegetables

Grab a fresh cucumber and onion. Carefully slice them into thin, delicate rounds that will soak up the zesty pickling liquid. Toss the veggie slices together in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a vibrant base for your tangy salad.

• Craft Flavor-Packed Pickling Liquid

Fire up the stove and combine white vinegar, water, and sugar in a saucepan. Let the mixture dance over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar melts completely and the liquid starts to bubble with excitement. This magical potion will transform your simple vegetables into a mouthwatering sensation.

• Marinate and Chill

Pour the steaming hot pickling liquid directly over the waiting vegetable slices. Sprinkle a generous handful of fresh dill, stirring gently to blend the flavors. Seal the bowl and tuck it into the refrigerator for at least an hour. During this time, the vegetables will absorb the tangy goodness, becoming crisp, cool, and utterly irresistible. Serve this refreshing salad as a knockout side dish that’ll steal the show at summer gatherings and backyard barbecues.

Tips & Variations for Cucumber Salad Recipes

Explore delightful twists to elevate this classic recipe.

Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for a zesty kick that awakens your taste buds.

Experiment with fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or tarragon to create unique flavor profiles that complement the cucumber’s cool crunch.

Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or sliced almonds for an unexpected textural surprise that adds depth to the simple salad.

Swap white vinegar for red wine vinegar and toss in crumbled feta cheese to transform this side dish into a Mediterranean-inspired delight.

Serving Ideas for Cucumber Salad Dishes

• Pair with Grilled Proteins: Serve alongside juicy grilled chicken, tender steak, or succulent fish for a refreshing contrast to rich, smoky flavors.
• Create a Picnic Platter: Arrange the cucumber salad with cold cuts, cheeses, and crusty bread for a delightful outdoor meal that keeps everyone cool and satisfied.
• Boost Sandwich Companion: Add a scoop of this tangy salad as a zesty side to sandwiches, burgers, or wraps to elevate your lunch experience with bright, crisp notes.
• Top Summer Barbecue Dishes: Spoon over grilled meats or use as a vibrant condiment to add a cool, pickled touch to your favorite summer cookout favorites.

Cucumber Salad Storage and Meal Prep

• Maximize Freshness: Store this cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the crisp texture and vibrant flavor intact.
• Quick Prep Tip: Slice vegetables uniformly to ensure even marinating and consistent taste in every bite.
• Advance Planning Strategy: Prepare the salad a day ahead to let flavors develop more deeply, making it an ideal make-ahead side dish for gatherings or weeknight meals.
• Smart Serving Suggestion: Keep the pickled cucumber salad chilled until ready to serve, using a cold serving bowl to maintain its refreshing temperature and crispness.

Fresh Cucumber Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Refreshing cucumber salad from Mediterranean kitchens blends crisp vegetables with tangy herbs. Mediterranean ingredients combine for a light, zesty side dish you’ll savor alongside grilled meats or as a cool summer appetizer.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cucumbers, thinly sliced (680 g/24 oz)
• 1 small white onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup white vinegar (240 ml/8 fl oz)
• ½ cup water (120 ml/4 fl oz)
• ¾ cup white sugar (150 g/5.3 oz)
• 1 tbsp dried dill, or to taste

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Instructions

1. Vegetable Preparation: Layer thinly sliced onions and cucumber rounds in a large bowl, distributing them evenly for optimal flavor absorption.
2. Pickling Liquid Creation: Heat white vinegar, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat, whisking continuously until sugar completely dissolves and mixture reaches a vigorous boil.
3. Liquid Integration: Pour the scalding vinegar mixture directly over the vegetable ensemble, ensuring complete coverage and initiating the quick pickling transformation.
4. Herb Infusion: Delicately fold fresh dill fronds throughout the salad, gently dispersing the herb’s aromatic essence and enhancing the overall flavor profile.
5. Chilling and Marinating: Seal the container and refrigerate for at least one hour, allowing the vegetables to absorb the tangy vinegar notes and develop a crisp, refreshing character before serving.

Notes

• Slice Precisely: Use a sharp mandoline or skilled knife to create uniform, thin cucumber and onion slices for consistent marinating and texture.
• Balance Vinegar Ratio: Adjust sugar and vinegar proportions to control tanginess, tasting and tweaking for perfect sweet-sour harmony.
• Chill for Depth: Longer refrigeration (up to 24 hours) intensifies flavor complexity, allowing vegetables to absorb pickling liquid completely.
• Herb Freshness Matters: Use fresh dill fronds for vibrant, aromatic notes; dried herbs won’t deliver the same bright, garden-fresh taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 108
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg