Cucumber Onion Salad
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Discover the secret to a refreshing cucumber salad that stays crisp and crunchy for the perfect summer side dish!
Easy Cucumber Salad
If you’ve ever made or eaten a soggy cucumber salad, you know what a letdown it is. Thankfully, there’s a simple trick to getting a perfectly crisp cucumber salad – salting the cucumber slices!
This step draws out excess moisture so your salad stays fresh and crunchy. And you only need to let the slices sit for about 10 minutes to ensure a non-watery salad! It’s super easy, but it makes all the difference.
The blend of crisp cucumbers and peppery red onion dressed in a light, tangy vinegar dressing is oh-so-refreshing. You’ll also love the touch of sweetness from the honey!
Finish with some chopped parsley for that fresh herb flavor that really brings it all together.
This easy cucumber onion salad recipe is such a quick and delicious side, especially during those warm months. And when you see the difference salting your slices makes, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Ingredients
- Cucumbers
- Red onion
- Apple cider vinegar
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper
Why You Should Make Cucumber Salad
Cucumber onion salad is the epitome of a refreshing side dish! It’s light, healthy, and super versatile.
You can serve it as a side for family dinner, bring it to your next potluck, or whip up a batch for a backyard BBQ!
The crispness of the cucumber combined with the zesty tang of the vinegar dressing will keep everyone coming back for more. And because we make cucumber salad with vinegar instead of mayo, you don’t have to worry about it spoiling in the sun.
How to Make Cucumber Onion Salad
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, parsley, and pepper. Set aside.
STEP TWO: Slice the cucumber into ¼-inch thick slices, then place in a colander lined with paper towels. Layer the cucumber slices, sprinkling salt in between each layer.
STEP THREE: Allow to sit for 10 minutes, then pat the sliced cucumbers and place in a large bowl.
STEP FOUR: Slice the red onion into thin slices and add to the bowl with the cucumbers.
STEP FIVE: Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and onions. Toss to coat.
STEP SIX: Toss to coat, then serve your cucumber and onion in vinegar salad and enjoy.
What to Serve with Cucumber Salad
- Air Fryer Brats
- Air Fryer Spare Ribs
- BBQ Hot Dogs
- Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Turkey Legs
Tips for the Best Cucumber Salad
- Use English cucumbers, which have fewer seeds and thinner skin, making them great for salads.
- Salt the cucumber slices and let them sit for at least 10 minutes to draw out the excess moisture.
- Cut the onion into thin slices so they can fully absorb the dressing.
- Adding freshly chopped parsley really elevates the flavor profile.
- Cucumber and onion in vinegar salad is best enjoyed fresh to maintain its crunch.
- Let your salad chill in the fridge for an hour or so before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Cucumber Salad with Vinegar FAQs
How Do You Make Cucumber Salad Not Watery?
The trick to preventing a watery cucumber onion salad is to salt the cucumber slices. Letting them sit for about 10 minutes is all you need to draw out the excess water.
This step is so easy, but it’s crucial to get super crisp cucumbers. It ensures your salad turns out fresh and crunchy, not diluted and soggy.
Is it Better to Peel Cucumbers for Salad?
English cucumbers have a thinner skin that’s usually not bitter, so you don’t need to peel them.
The skin also adds some nice texture to the salad, so I prefer not to peel my cucumbers. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients! And, of course, by skipping the peeling, you’ll save tons of time and hassle.
How to Store Leftover Cucumber Onion Salad
Store any extra salad in an airtight container in the fridge. Cucumbers release water over time, which can make your salad soggy, so it’s best to enjoy the leftovers within a day or so.
If there’s excess liquid in the container, I recommend draining it before eating.
More Salad Recipes:
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Chopped Italian Salad
- Broccoli Crunch Salad
- Watermelon Cucumber Salad
- Tomato Caprese Salad
- Quinoa Chickpea Salad
- Easy Macaroni Salad
- 5-Ingredient Chicken Salad Recipe
Cucumber Onion Salad
Ingredients
- 2 English cucumbers, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, parsley, and pepper. Set aside.
- Slice the cucumber into ¼-inch thick slices.
- Once cut, place in a colander lined with paper towels. Layer the cucumber slices, sprinkling salt in between each layer. This draws out the water in the cucumbers so the salad does not become watery.
- Allow to sit for 10 minutes. Afterward, pat the sliced cucumbers and place them in a large bowl.
- Slice the red onion into thin slices. Place them into the bowl with the cucumbers.
- Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and onions and toss to coat.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Best enjoyed the same day!
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
How much parsley? It’s not shown in ingredient list.
Hi Irene, I use about 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley. Enjoy!
I was surprised how good the final product was. I was over zealous with the mandolin and sliced the cukes only 1/8 inch. I was not a fan of the dressing in the bowl, but on the salad, it was superb. Thank you for a simple but excellent salad.
Hi James, I’m so glad you pressed on until it all came together! Sometimes a recipe can be magical like that. Enjoy!