Cool Cucumber Salad is the perfect low calorie hot weather salad. It's fast (15 minutes) and easy to make. This simple salad goes with everything and makes a perfect side dish.
This easy summer salad is full of crisp cucumber slices and onion in a slightly sweet-tangy dressing. Fresh dill adds the finishing flavor touch. There is no added fat in this salad recipe either!
This simple recipe is made of a handful of ingredients all easily found from the grocery store.
Cucumber onion salad is a refreshing side dish perfect to go with grilled chicken (like our chicken skewers) and a popular salad for summer gatherings. The simple dressing really highlights the crunchy vegetables in the perfect way.
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What makes this skinny?
This easy cucumber salad recipe is refreshing and without any calorie-heavy ingredients. It has two tablespoons of sugar which is enough to make the dressing slightly sweet without adding a load of sugary calories.
Cucumbers are low in calories with great nutrients and help promote hydration making this delicious cucumber salad a great option for summer.
Recipe Ingredients Notes
English cucumber. The great thing about English cucumbers is they are essentially seedless and with a very thin skin that does not need to be peeled. Start with 2 chilled large English cucumbers and slice cucumbers into thin slices (not paper thin).
Dill. Be sure to use fresh dill, chopped.
How to make Cucumber Salad - Step-by-Step
STEP 1. Make the dressing
In a medium bowl combine the white vinegar, water and sugar. Stir to fully dissolve the sugar (photo 1).
STEP 2. Prepare the salad
In a large bowl combine the sliced cucumbers and red onion. Sprinkle on the salt and black pepper (photo 2).
Pour on the vinegar mixture. Add the fresh dill (photo 3). Toss to fully coat (photo 4).
STEP 3. Chill
Place the salad (covered) in the refrigerator and chill for 5 minutes for the flavors to blend.
Substitutions & Variations
Cucumber. If English cucumbers are not available substitute the equivalent in Persian cucumbers. This kind of cucumber is also seedless and does not need to be peeled. These cucumbers do not produce bitter seeds like standard cucumbers can.
Vinegar. Use red wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, champagne vinegar or unseasoned rice vinegar if white wine vinegar isn't available. They each have a slightly different flavor and would all work. Add some sesame seeds if using rice vinegar for an Asian cucumber salad flavor.
Use a different fresh herb. Fresh basil or mint would add a different delicious flavor to this healthy cucumber salad.
Add some cherry tomatoes. For even more vegetables add some halved cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes to complement the crunchy cucumbers.
Expert Tips
How to make it ahead. For the best texture slice the onions and cucumber but add the dressing just before serving. Store the vegetables in an airtight container separately from the dressing until tossing together.
Use a mandoline slicer. For fast preparation and uniformly thick slices, use a mandoline both for the cucumber and onion. If you haven't used one before they are an inexpensive slicer that can be adjusted for any thicknesses. A sharp knife can also be used.
Serve with a slotted spoon. This allows any excess liquid to stay in the salad bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
English cucumbers and Persian cucumbers do not need to be peeled (or have any seeds removed) before using them in a salad.
How to Store
This favorite cucumber salad recipe has the best texture served a few hours after making. However it can still be stored for up to 4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Note: the cucumbers and onions will soften but will still taste good.
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Recipe
Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 large chilled English cucumbers thinly sliced
- 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped dill
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, combine the vinegar, water, and sugar. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers and the sliced onions. Add the salt and black pepper.
- Pour the vinegar mixture over the cucumbers.
- Add the fresh dill. Mix everything together gently to coat the cucumbers. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes before serving chilled.
Erin says
One of my favorite summer salads. Thanks for making a skinny version I can eat ALL. THE. TIME!
Allyssa says
My new favorite salad! This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Katie says
This was so refreshing in every way possible!
Jane Cross says
Such a huge crowd pleaser, everyone loves it. The bets part is that it's so easy to make!
Tayler Ross says
I'm always looking for new, fresh salads for summer. This cucumber salad looks perfect and I can't wait to try it!
Beth says
This is the perfect warm weather salad! It was a big hit at our picnic. Thanks!
Tavo says
The salad was super tasty! I was a little reluctant because there was no oil on the ingredients list, but there was no need!
Michele says
I loved this cucumber salad. It was a light and refreshing side dish that tasted amazing!
barbara Cokes says
Total crowd pleaser! Everyone loves this salad, thank you.
Lauren says
I made this as a side dish for a bbq and it went down a storm, lovely fresh dish for the summer!