Cucumber Salad

When summer rolls in and the temps start to rise, I’m always on the lookout for something refreshing, easy, and light to serve with lunch or alongside dinner from the grill. That’s when I found this simple Cucumber Salad recipe on the kitchn’s website.

It’s crunchy, tangy, and tossed in a quick homemade dressing that hits all the right notes—sweet, sour, salty, and a little zippy from the vinegar.

You’ll see the original recipe called for red onion but since I don’t really care for red onion, I used sweet Vidalia onion instead.

If you’ve never made a classic Cucumber Salad before, this is the perfect one to start with. It’s made with just a handful of ingredients, but each one pulls its weight.

Think crisp cucumbers, sweet onion for a sweet crunch, and a light dressing that comes together in minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Cucumber Salad

• Perfectly simple – Nothing fancy here, just fresh ingredients and a quick vinaigrette.
• Pairs with everything – Grilled chicken, burgers, fish, or even just a sandwich.
• Make-ahead friendly – It tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a while.
• Cool and refreshing – Great for hot summer days or backyard BBQs.

This Cucumber Salad is one of those go-to sides you’ll find yourself making on repeat all summer long. It’s a classic for a reason—fresh, crisp, and downright refreshing.

Whether you’re bringing it to a potluck, setting it out at a BBQ, or just making something simple to go with dinner, this salad fits the bill.

Looking for more summer salads?
Check out my Italian Pasta Salad, Mixed Berry Salad, or Spinach Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette for more easy, fresh ideas.

What is Cucumber Salad?

Cucumber Salad is a light, refreshing dish made primarily with sliced cucumbers and usually served cold.

It’s popular around the world and can be prepared in many different styles, but most versions fall into one of two main categories: Vinegar based salad and Creamy salad.

Ingredients

• English or seedless cucumbers (1 1/2 to 2 medium)
• Vidalia onion
• Kosher salt
• Apple cider, distilled, white wine, or red wine vinegar
• Granulated sugar
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh dill (optional)

How to make Cucumber Salad

Start by slicing your cucumbers nice and thin—this gives them that light, delicate crunch that soaks up the dressing perfectly.

You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline for extra-thin slices.

Toss them in a bowl with some sliced Vidalia onion.

 Sprinkle with 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt and toss to combine. Let sit for 20 minutes.

Pour off any liquid from the cucumber mixture. 

Add 3 tablespoons vinegar of choice and 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, and toss until the sugar is dissolved.

Taste and season with black pepper as needed.

Add 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh dill if desired and toss to combine.

Let it chill in the fridge until you’re ready to dive in.