Refreshing Cucumber Onion Salad: Your New Go-To Side Dish

Experience the perfect blend of fresh cucumbers and crisp onions, elevated with aromatic dill and a vibrant, tangy dressing. This easy-to-make Cucumber Onion Salad is not just a dish; it’s a versatile culinary companion, ready in minutes and destined to become a staple alongside your favorite dinners.

For those who appreciate the crisp, refreshing qualities of a great side salad, this Cucumber Onion Salad is a true revelation. Its simplicity belies a depth of flavor that complements a wide array of main courses, from hearty grilled meats to delicate fish and light summer lunches. If you’re a fan of this delightful combination, you’ll also love exploring other vibrant options like a Herbed Tomato Salad or a creamy Avocado and Tomato Salad.

Why This Easy Cucumber Onion Salad Will Be Your New Favorite

In the quest for delicious yet healthy vegetable side dishes, the perfect recipe can often feel elusive. We’re constantly striving to incorporate more vegetables into our daily meals, and an easy, flavorful side that doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen is always a welcome discovery. This Cucumber Onion Salad fits the bill perfectly, offering a refreshing solution that ticks all the boxes.

Imagine a vibrant salad that comes together in just 15 minutes, bursts with fresh flavors, and can even be prepared ahead of time to simplify your meal prep. This isn’t just a dream; it’s the reality of this incredible dill cucumber salad. It’s a side dish that provides a satisfying crunch and a delightful tang, enhancing almost any meal without overwhelming it. Whether you’re planning a busy weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend barbecue, this quick cucumber salad offers unmatched convenience and taste. You simply can’t beat a recipe that delivers so much with so little effort!

Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Cucumber Onion Salad

Crafting this simple yet spectacular cucumber and onion salad requires just a handful of fresh ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layered flavors and textures that make this dish so irresistible.

• Cucumber: The star of our refreshing salad! While any cucumber can work, English cucumbers are highly recommended due to their thin skin and minimal seeds, which means no peeling or deseeding is typically required. Their mild flavor and crisp texture are ideal. If you prefer, Persian cucumbers also make an excellent choice, offering a similar crunch and delicate taste. For standard garden cucumbers, you might want to peel them and remove some of the larger seeds to avoid a watery or bitter outcome.
• Red Onion: Offering a beautiful pop of color and a milder flavor compared to yellow or white onions, red onion is perfect for this salad. Its slight sweetness balances the tang of the dressing. If you find red onion too strong, try soaking the slices in cold water for 10-15 minutes before adding them to the salad to further mellow their pungency. A shallot can also be used as a more delicate alternative, providing a subtle oniony note.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a pungent, aromatic kick that elevates the dressing. If fresh garlic isn’t available or you prefer a milder garlic flavor, substitute with about 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder per clove. Remember, fresh garlic offers a more vibrant and authentic taste.
• Dill: Without a doubt, fresh dill is what truly defines this classic cucumber salad. Its feathery fronds and unique, slightly anisy flavor are indispensable. For the best results, always opt for fresh. If absolutely necessary, you can use dried dill, but be aware that the flavor will be less intense. As a general rule, use about 3/4 teaspoon of dried dill for every tablespoon of fresh, or adjust to your personal taste.
• Vinegar: The backbone of our tangy dressing. Apple cider vinegar is my preferred choice for its fruity, slightly sweet acidity that beautifully complements the fresh vegetables. However, feel free to experiment with other vinegars like white wine vinegar for a crisper tang, or even a splash of rice vinegar for a milder, slightly sweeter profile. Lemon juice can also be used for a bright, citrusy twist.
• Oil: A good quality oil binds the dressing together and adds a silky richness. Extra virgin olive oil is excellent here, contributing its characteristic flavor. Alternatively, a neutral oil like avocado oil or vegetable oil will work just as well if you prefer the other flavors to shine without the strong olive oil note.
• Sugar: A touch of sugar is crucial for balancing the acidity of the vinegar and the sharpness of the onion. It doesn’t make the salad sweet but rather rounds out the flavors, creating a more harmonious dressing. Granulated sugar is typically used, but you could try a small amount of honey or maple syrup for a natural sweetness, or even omit it if you prefer a very tart salad.
• Salt and Pepper: These humble seasonings are fundamental. They don’t just add flavor; they enhance and bring out the natural tastes of all the other ingredients. Always add to taste, but don’t skip them – proper seasoning can truly make or break this simple yet delicious recipe.

How to Prepare Your Refreshing Cucumber Onion Salad

Making this delightful dill cucumber salad is incredibly straightforward, requiring just a few simple steps. The beauty of this recipe lies in its ease and speed, ensuring a delicious side dish is always within reach.

STEP 1: Prepare Your Vegetables with Precision
Begin by preparing your fresh vegetables. For the cucumber, thinly slice it into rounds. Aim for consistent, delicate slices, as thinner pieces absorb the dressing better and offer a more pleasing texture. If you’re using an English cucumber, there’s usually no need to peel it. For the red onion, slice it into thin half-moons. To make the onion more manageable and ensure bite-sized pieces, cut these half-moon strips in half crosswise. While I personally enjoy the elegant strips of onion, you can certainly dice the onion into smaller pieces if that’s your preference or if you want a less prominent onion texture. Finally, mince or finely grate your garlic clove, and then chop the fresh dill finely to release its full aromatic potential.

STEP 2: Whisk Together the Tangy Dressing
In a spacious mixing bowl, create the simple yet flavorful dressing. Combine the apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine all the ingredients until the sugar dissolves and the dressing is emulsified. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed – this is where you can fine-tune the balance of sweet, sour, and savory to your liking.

STEP 3: Combine and Marinate for Optimal Flavor
Add all your prepared chopped vegetables – the sliced cucumber, red onion, minced garlic, and fresh dill – to the bowl containing the dressing. Gently toss everything together using tongs or a large spoon, ensuring that all the vegetables are thoroughly coated in the tangy dressing. This step is crucial for the flavors to meld beautifully. If you’re not serving the salad immediately, cover the bowl and refrigerate it. Allowing it to chill for at least 30 minutes to an hour will allow the flavors to deepen and the cucumbers to slightly soften, enhancing the overall taste and texture. However, it’s also perfectly delicious served right after mixing!

Tips and Tricks for the Best Cucumber Onion Salad

Achieving the perfect Cucumber Onion Salad is simple with a few helpful pointers. These tips will ensure your salad is always crisp, flavorful, and exactly to your liking.

• Choosing Your Cucumber: As mentioned, I favor English cucumbers because their thin skin is edible, saving you time and effort on peeling. If you opt for regular garden cucumbers, which often have thicker, waxier skins and larger seeds, it’s best to peel them first and scoop out the watery seed center before slicing.
• Cucumber Size Matters, but Not Too Much: Cucumbers come in all shapes and sizes. While I usually aim for a medium-sized cucumber for this recipe, the beauty of this salad is its flexibility. Don’t worry too much about exact measurements; a little more or less cucumber won’t significantly alter the delicious outcome.
• Adjusting Onion Intensity: Not everyone is a huge fan of strong onion flavor. If you prefer a milder presence, feel free to reduce the amount of red onion used. I love onion, so I typically use a full half, but you can easily scale back to a quarter of an onion, or even less. Soaking sliced onions in cold water for about 10-15 minutes can also significantly mellow their bite.
• Enhance with Extra Garnish: Before serving, a final flourish can make a big difference. I love to sprinkle a little extra fresh dill over the top of the salad. A final pinch of salt and a grind of fresh black pepper can also brighten the flavors and add a professional touch.
• Chilling for Flavor: While this salad is ready to eat immediately, chilling it for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld and intensify, making the dressing even more robust and the vegetables more refreshing.

Variations and Serving Suggestions for Your Cucumber Onion Salad

One of the best aspects of this easy cucumber salad is its adaptability. While the classic dill and tangy dressing is a winner, don’t hesitate to experiment with variations to suit your taste or what you have on hand.

Creative Variations:

• Add More Veggies: Elevate your cucumber onion salad by incorporating other fresh vegetables. Cherry tomatoes, sliced bell peppers (red or yellow for color), thin radish slices, or even thinly shaved carrots can add more crunch, color, and nutrients.
• Creamy Twist: For a richer, creamier version, whisk in a tablespoon or two of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt into the dressing. This creates a more substantial, yet still refreshing, salad reminiscent of traditional European cucumber salads.
• Herbaceous Boost: While dill is key, other herbs can complement it beautifully. A sprinkle of fresh parsley, chives, or even a touch of mint can add another layer of fresh flavor.
• Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
• Protein Power: For a more complete meal, consider adding crumbled feta cheese, chickpeas, or even diced grilled chicken to transform this side into a light lunch.

Perfect Serving Pairings:

This versatile cucumber onion salad pairs wonderfully with almost any meal. Its refreshing crunch and tangy dressing cut through richer dishes and complement lighter ones beautifully.

• Grilled Meats: It’s an absolute dream alongside grilled chicken, steak, or pork chops, offering a cool contrast to the smoky flavors.
• Seafood: Serve it with baked salmon, pan-seared cod, or grilled shrimp for a light and healthy meal.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: Add a scoop to the side of your favorite sandwich or wrap for a refreshing accompaniment.
• Barbecues and Picnics: This salad is a perfect crowd-pleaser for potlucks, BBQs, and picnics, as it travels well and tastes great at room temperature (though it’s best chilled).
• Light Lunches: Enjoy it on its own as a healthy, low-calorie lunch.

Storage Tips:

This salad can be made ahead of time, but like most fresh salads, it’s best enjoyed within a day or two. If refrigerated for too long, the cucumbers may start to release more water and become soggy. I recommend making it early on the day you plan to serve it, allowing it a few hours to marinate in the fridge. This gives the flavors time to develop beautifully. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, but be aware the texture might soften over time.

More Delicious Veggie Side Dishes to Explore

If you’re always on the lookout for fresh and easy vegetable sides, be sure to try these other fantastic recipes:

• Grilled Corn Salad
• Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
• Korean Cucumber Salad

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Cucumber Onion Salad

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Fresh cucumbers and onions are combined with dill and a tangy dressing to make this easy Cucumber Onion Salad. It’s easy and fast and goes well with so many dinners!

Ingredients

• 1 English cucumber, sliced
• 1/2 red onion, sliced into half moons, then cut in half
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh minced dill
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon oil (e.g., olive oil)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prep all of the vegetables. I like to cut the cucumbers fairly thin. You want the onions to be bite-sized. You can dice them if desired.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, sugar, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the cucumber, onion, garlic, and dill to the bowl.
4. Stir to fully combine and coat the vegetables with the dressing.
5. Refrigerate until ready to serve for best flavor.

Recipe Notes:

This salad can be made ahead of time, but will start to get soggy if refrigerated for too long. I like to make it early on the day I need it so that it has a few hours to marinate, but you can definitely serve it right after making it, as well.

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 serving

Calories: 38 kcal (2%)

Carbohydrates: 5g (2%)

Protein: 0g

Fat: 2g (3%)

Saturated Fat: 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g

Monounsaturated Fat: 1g

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 295mg (13%)

Potassium: 88mg (3%)

Fiber: 0g

Sugar: 4g (4%)

Keywords: cucumber onion salad, cucumber salad, dill cucumber salad, easy cucumber salad