Craving a cool and crisp side dish along warm weather meals? This marinated cucumber and red onion salad recipe is the answer, refreshing, tangy, and ready in minutes. Tossed in a simple vinegar dressing with a touch of dill and salt, it’s the perfect summer side dish to keep on repeat.
One hot afternoon, I found a forgotten cucumber and half a red onion sitting quietly in the fridge, begging not to be wasted. With a splash of vinegar, a pinch of honey, and a quick toss, I turned them into a refreshing little salad that surprised even me. Now it’s my go-to recipe when I need something crisp, tangy, and effortless on busy days.
Refreshing Salad for Every Meal
Whether you’re having grilled meat, a sandwich, or rice dishes, this salad fits right in. The cool cucumber and zingy vinegar make each bite feel fresh and light. It’s a great way to balance heavier meals like herbed baked chicken, stuffed zucchini boats, curry chicken, enchilada, or grilled stuffed bell peppers.
Simple Salad Recipe
Making a simple salad is the best because it’s quick, fresh, and doesn’t need much effort. With just a few ingredients, you can put together something clean, colorful, and full of flavor. It’s also easy to change it up, use whatever veggies you have and dress it how you like, no stress involved.
Recipe You Can Make Ahead
This salad actually improves as it rests in the fridge. Making it ahead of time means one less thing to worry about at mealtime. It keeps well for a few days and tastes even better the next day.
How To Make Cucumber Salad with Red Onion
Cucumber salad with red onion is cool, crisp, and full of zesty flavor. It’s a quick and refreshing side that pairs perfectly with grilled meats or light summer meals.
Kitchen Gadgets:
- Salad Plate: Perfect for serving up this light, refreshing salad.
- Knife: Helps slice the cucumbers and onions into thin, even pieces.
- Cutting Board: Your sturdy surface for prepping all the fresh ingredients.
Ingredients:
- English Cucumbers: Crisp and mild, they hold their crunch beautifully after marinating.
- Red Onion: Adds sharpness and a pop of color to the salad.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Tangy and slightly sweet, it gives the marinade its signature zing.
- Honey or Agave: A natural sweetener that balances the acidity of the vinegar.
- Sea Salt: Improves the freshness of the vegetables and brings out their flavor.
- Chopped Dill: Earthy and aromatic, it gives the salad that classic herby taste.
- Optional: More dill for topping: A little extra on top adds color and even more flavor.
- Black Pepper: Adds just the right touch of mild heat to round out the taste.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
FULL INSTRUCTIONS WITH STEPS FOR THE BEST CUCUMBER SALAD RECIPE
First Step: Prepare Salad Ingredients
Gather everything you’ll need for the recipe: cucumbers, red onion, apple cider vinegar, honey or agave, sea salt, fresh dill, and black pepper. Make sure your cucumbers and onions are rinsed and ready to slice. Grab a medium or large salad bowl for tossing everything together.
Second Step: Chop the Ingredients
Finely slice the cucumbers into thin rounds and do the same with the red onion. For the best texture, try to keep the slices uniform so they marinate evenly. Chop the fresh dill and set a little extra aside if you want to garnish the salad later.
Third Step: Place the Cucumber and Onion
Add the sliced cucumbers and red onions into your salad bowl. Drizzle in the apple cider vinegar, then add honey (or agave) and sea salt. Gently toss everything together, making sure the veggies are well coated without bruising them.
Fourth Step: Add in the Rest
Let the mixture chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes so the flavors can develop. After marinating, drain off the excess liquid and transfer the vegetables to a serving platter. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped dill and a few grinds of black pepper before serving.
TRICKS AND TIPS:
- Use thin slices for better flavor soak. Thinly slicing the cucumbers and onions helps them absorb the marinade faster and more evenly. It also gives the salad a nice texture and look.
- Let it chill for at least 20 minutes. Giving the salad time in the fridge lets the vinegar and seasonings blend into the vegetables. The longer it sits, the better the flavor gets.
- Use seedless or English cucumbers if possible. They have thinner skin and fewer seeds, which makes for a crunchier, less watery salad. If using regular cucumbers, peeling and seeding them can help.
- Adjust the sweetness and tang to taste. Some like it a bit sweeter, others more tangy, taste the marinade and tweak with a little honey, sugar, or more vinegar before adding it in. Everyone’s perfect salad balance is a little different.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What to Serve With Easy Cucumber Salad?
This salad pairs well with grilled meats like air-fried chicken, pork scotch fillet, or cooked bacon. It’s also great as a light side for air fryer beef chunks or wraps. You can even serve it with rice cauliflower recipes or roasted vegetables for a refreshing contrast.
Keep the salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to 3 days, though the cucumbers may soften slightly over time. Stir it before serving to redistribute the flavors.
Can I Freeze Marinated Salad?
It’s not a good idea to freeze marinated cucumber salads. Freezing will change the texture of the cucumbers and onions, making them mushy. This salad is best enjoyed fresh or within a few days from the fridge.
More Clean Eating Recipes
If you love clean and simple recipes, you’ll enjoy making these at home. You can learn how to make stevia powder using fresh stevia leaves, great for natural sweetening. Dehydrated tomatoes are perfect for adding flavor to meals and are easy to store.
There’s also a gluten-free BBQ sauce recipe that’s tasty and safe for sensitive tummies. These recipes are simple, healthy, and perfect for your clean-eating lifestyle.
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Full Recipe With a Printable Version
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Marinated Cucumber and Red Onion Salad
Equipment
- 1 Salad Plate
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 2 Pieces English Cucumbers long, finely sliced
- ½ Piece Red Onion large, finely sliced
- ¼ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Honey or Agave
- 1 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
- 2 Tablespoons Dill chopped
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper to taste
- Optional: More Dill for Topping
Instructions
- Gather cucumbers, red onion, apple cider vinegar, honey or agave, sea salt, fresh dill, and black pepper. Rinse the vegetables and set out a medium or large salad bowl.
- Slice the cucumbers and red onion into thin, even rounds so they marinate evenly. Chop the fresh dill, reserving a little for garnish if desired.
- Add the sliced cucumbers and onions to the bowl, drizzle with apple cider vinegar, and add honey (or agave) and sea salt. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors develop, then drain excess liquid and transfer to a serving platter. Finish with chopped dill and black pepper before serving.
Notes
- Use thin slices for better flavor soak. Thinly slicing the cucumbers and onions helps them absorb the marinade faster and more evenly. It also gives the salad a nice texture and look.
- Let it chill for at least 20 minutes. Giving the salad time in the fridge lets the vinegar and seasonings blend into the vegetables. The longer it sits, the better the flavor gets.
- Use seedless or English cucumbers if possible. They have thinner skin and fewer seeds, which makes for a crunchier, less watery salad. If using regular cucumbers, peeling and seeding them can help.
- Adjust the sweetness and tang to taste. Some like it a bit sweeter, others more tangy, taste the marinade and tweak with a little honey, sugar, or more vinegar before adding it in. Everyone’s perfect salad balance is a little different.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
flavor your salad
Flavor your salad with fresh herbs, zesty dressings, and crunchy toppings for extra taste and texture. A simple twist can turn any salad into a crave-worthy dish.
