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    Make It Skinny Please » Recipes » Salads » Cucumber Salad

    Published: May 11, 2022 by Toni Dash · 10 Comments

    Cucumber Salad

    Weight Watchers Points1
    Calories: 41kcal
    Carbs: 9g
    Protein: 1g
    Fats: 1g
    Jump to Recipe

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    cucumber salad in a serving bowl overhead.

    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.

    cucumber salad in a serving bowl overhead.

    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. 

    Jump to:
    • What makes this skinny?
    • Recipe Ingredients Notes
    • How to make Cucumber Salad - Step-by-Step
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How to Store
    • More recipes you'll love!
    • Recipe

    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

    cucumber salad labelled ingredients.

    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.

    sliced onions and cucumbers on a cutting board.

    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).

    cucumber salad recipe steps 1-4.

    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.

    cucumber salad on a fork.

    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.

    cucumber salad in a serving bowl.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Should I peel the cucumber before adding it to the salad?

    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 in a serving bowl on tray.

    Cucumber Salad

    Weight Watchers Points1
    Click to track Weight Watchers Points
    Refreshing cool Cucumber Salad with onions has a light sweet-tangy dressing making it a perfect warm weather side dish. Easy and fast to make!
    5 from 39 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Low Calorie, Low Fat, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Chilling Time (minimum): 5 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 8 1 ⅓ cups serving (total yield: 10-11 cups)
    Calories: 41kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.

    Notes

    Variations & Substitutions
    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. 
    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. 
    Use a different fresh herb. Fresh basil or mint would add a different delicious flavor.
    Add some cherry tomatoes. For even more vegetables add some halved cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes to complement the crunchy cucumbers.
    How to Store
    This salad 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. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 392mg | Potassium: 182mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 117IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please share it!Mention @MakeItSkinnyPlease or tag #MakeItSkinnyPlease!
    « Summer Fruit Salad
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutritional Coach and certified Weight Loss Specialist, writer/blogger, photographer, chief recipe developer and creator of Make It Skinny Please. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her slimmed down recipes using real food ingredients bring excitement to the dining table and never taste like 'diet food'. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Erin says

      May 12, 2022 at 11:32 am

      5 stars
      One of my favorite summer salads. Thanks for making a skinny version I can eat ALL. THE. TIME!

      Reply
    2. Allyssa says

      May 12, 2022 at 8:01 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    3. Katie says

      May 12, 2022 at 7:50 am

      5 stars
      This was so refreshing in every way possible!

      Reply
    4. Jane Cross says

      May 12, 2022 at 7:44 am

      5 stars
      Such a huge crowd pleaser, everyone loves it. The bets part is that it's so easy to make!

      Reply
    5. Tayler Ross says

      May 11, 2022 at 8:10 am

      5 stars
      I'm always looking for new, fresh salads for summer. This cucumber salad looks perfect and I can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    6. Beth says

      May 11, 2022 at 8:09 am

      5 stars
      This is the perfect warm weather salad! It was a big hit at our picnic. Thanks!

      Reply
    7. Tavo says

      May 11, 2022 at 7:37 am

      5 stars
      The salad was super tasty! I was a little reluctant because there was no oil on the ingredients list, but there was no need!

      Reply
    8. Michele says

      May 11, 2022 at 7:31 am

      5 stars
      I loved this cucumber salad. It was a light and refreshing side dish that tasted amazing!

      Reply
    9. barbara Cokes says

      May 11, 2022 at 7:29 am

      5 stars
      Total crowd pleaser! Everyone loves this salad, thank you.

      Reply
    10. Lauren says

      May 11, 2022 at 6:59 am

      5 stars
      I made this as a side dish for a bbq and it went down a storm, lovely fresh dish for the summer!

      Reply

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I'm a Certified Nutrition Coach and NASM certified Weight Loss Specialist. I'm excited to share Classic Recipes made more calorie friendly using real food!

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