This make-ahead Cucumber and Onion Salad is a summertime superstar. Simple and delicious, the fresh ingredients let the garden-fresh produce shine in this easy cucumber salad.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This cucumber and onion salad is delicious, but more importantly, I think it is so popular because it reminds people of childhood picnics, potlucks, and backyard BBQs.
Do you love make-ahead salads? Sure you do! You have to check out Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad, Healthy Green Pea Salad, Instant Pot Potato Salad, Zesty Instant Pot Quinoa Salad, Greek Yogurt Egg Salad, and Instant Pot Farro.
What is the Best Vinegar for Cucumber and Onion Salad?
I use plain ol’ white vinegar but have also had great success with apple cider vinegar. Rice vinegar is also pretty dang delicious. In my experience, red wine vinegar and flavored vinegar are not ideal.
Can This Dish Be Made Whole30 Compliant? What about Keto?
You betcha. Just leave out the sugar and then go rock on with your bad self.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Unpeeled cucumbers become tough. If you peel the cucumbers all the way, they get mushy. If you’re going to be using regular cucumbers, peel a few strips off (will give a cool striped effect) and it is the perfect texture compromise.
- I use a mandoline to slice the cucumbers so that they’re all the same size.
- The brine (liquid) won’t cover all the veggies completely. That’s ok! As the cucumbers sit in the brine, they will release their own liquids. Give everything a stir after a few hours and you’ll be good to go.
Variations
- If you want to turn this into a creamy cucumber salad, add 1/3 cup of sour cream with 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the seasoning. Do not include the water.
- To make this a cucumber tomato and salad, add thinly sliced tomatoes just prior to serving.
- Sub in Pickled Shallots instead of the onion for a milder flavor.
More Delicious Vegetable Side Dishes
- Blistered Shishito Peppers
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Hasselback Roasted Beets With Goat Cheese
- Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
- Spicy Green Beans
- Addicting Feta Stuffed Grilled Tomatoes
- All my vegetable recipes
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS
One serving has 1 WW Freestyle SmartPoints.
Cucumber and Onion Salad
Ingredients
- 6 cups cucumbers, thinly sliced {3 regular cukes or 6 pickling}
- 1 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar {leave out to make Whole30 compliant}
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 tsp dried dill
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 3/4 tsp celery seed
- 1/2 onion thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a microwave-proof container, microwave the vinegar, water, and sugar on high for 2 minutes. Set aside to cool.1 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp sugar
- Slice the cucumbers and onion thinly, and add to a large lidded container.6 cups cucumbers, thinly sliced, 1/2 onion
- Add the dill, sea salt, and celery seed.1/4 tsp dried dill, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 3/4 tsp celery seed
- Pour the cooled vinegar water solution over the top. Stir to combine. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours.
Notes
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop this Post:
(may include affiliate links)
Great help. Thank you much!! My husband rememered his dad many yrs back used to love this cuke and onion salad with vinegar. So did my mom and dad!! We are so enjoying it but I just read this wonderful article on all the awesome nutrients in cucumbers!! I never knew how many vitamins and nutrients are in and plus, putting on my puffy eyes. God knew!!
Cucumbers are truly magical! So glad you enjoyed this.