This cucumber salad is the perfect addition to any summer meal. It’s fresh and crisp, sweet and tangy, and it comes together in under 30 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Cucumber Salad
This cucumber salad always finds a spot on my summer menu. It’s easy to prepare, uses the simplest ingredients, and is filled with fresh flavor. In other words, it’s one of those summer salads I can quickly toss together, and it pairs especially well with BBQ meats. Pulled pork and this salad? Summer meal perfection! But beyond that irresistible combo, here’s why you’ll love this cucumber salad recipe:
- It’s simple and budget-friendly. All you need are cucumbers, onions, fresh herbs, and a few pantry staples for the tangy-sweet dressing.
- It’s light and healthy. With fresh greens, herbs, and vinegar, it supports digestion and helps stimulate the body’s natural enzyme production. I consider this a bonus when you’re serving it up alongside harder-to-digest, meaty dishes.
Cucumber Salad Ingredients
- Cucumbers: I recommend English cucumbers as they’re larger, sweeter, have thinner skin, and no seeds. But you can certainly use regular cucumbers as well.
- Red Onion and Scallions: I love using a combination of red and green onions in this salad. They add extra texture and a pop of color to the dish!
- Dill: Fresh dill really makes this salad feel “farmer’s market fresh.”
- Vinegar and Honey: Either champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar works beautifully. And a little honey helps to balance out the vinegar and salt.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How To Make The Best Cucumber Salad
Step one: Place the sliced cucumbers in a colander and sprinkle a little salt over them to help pull the water and moisture out. Cucumbers are moisture-rich, which makes them a great cooling vegetable, but you also don’t want a soggy salad!
Step two: Once your cucumbers have been mixed with the salt for a bit, you should notice some liquid dripping out of the bottom of your colander. Then, wash and drain the cucumbers. This step is key to preventing an overly salty salad.
Step three: Add the sliced ingredients to a large mixing bowl and stir the dressing together in a separate small bowl. Pour the dressing on top of the salad and toss it all together. I also like to add some cracked black pepper on top!
Common Questions
Just add ½ cup of sour cream or yogurt into the mix!
This will stay fresh in the fridge for 2 to 3 days, meaning it can also be made ahead of time. That makes it perfect for summer party prep, like the 4th of July! Just keep in mind that the salad will become a bit watery over time.
You can pair this with almost any meal. But during the summer, it’s always a hit with staple BBQ foods and grilling mains such as grilled chicken, grilled lamb chops, BBQ chicken, grilled skirt steak, or grilled shrimp.
More Summer Salad Recipes
- Greek Salad: The perfect pairing with Greek meals.
- Caprese Salad: The ultimate summer combo.
- Potato Salad: A staple for BBQs and cookouts.
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad: My favorite meal prep summer salad.
- Or browse through my list of easy and healthy salad recipes!
If you try this cucumber salad recipe, let me know how it turns out in the comments below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.
Description
Video
Equipment
- Mandoline The best tool for thinly sliced cucumbers.
- Zwilling Chef's Knife My favorite chef's knife!
Ingredients
- 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 ½ tablespoons champagne vinegar, or white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Toss cucumbers with salt. Add the sliced cucumber to a colander and toss with the salt.
- Wash and drain the cucumbers. Set the colander in your sink or on top of a plate, as the salt will pull liquid from the cucumbers. Let this sit for 20 minutes, then rinse the cucumber with cold water.
- Add the salad ingredients to a bowl. Add the drained cucumber to a salad bowl along with the red onion, green onion and fresh dill.
- Make the dressing. Stir the vinegar and honey together in a separate small bowl, then pour on top of the salad.
- Garnish with black pepper and additional fresh dill leaves, and serve.
Lisa’s Tips
- Storage tip: This will stay fresh in the fridge for 2 to 3 days, which means it can also be made ahead of time. That makes it perfect for summer party prep, like the 4th of July! Just keep in mind that the salad will become a bit watery over time.
- I use this mandoline for slicing up the cucumbers fast and easy!
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Recipe originally posted May 2017, but updated to include new photos and information for your benefit!
I love this recipe, but I substitute fresh mint for the dill. Mint is very refreshing especially on a hot summer day.
Fresh mint is a great substitution, Barbara!
I really enjoyed this salad recipe. For a little variety I sprinkled a bit of crumbled feta. Yummy with or without!
Yum! Love the feta addition, Lisa.
I usually make a mayo-based dressing, or sour cream and dill, but I tried this cucumber salad with the vinaigrette dressings, and it is my absolute fave! It will be my go-to salad for the family barbecues.
I’m so glad you ended up loving this tangy cucumber salad! Enjoy, Piroska.
Where is the video?
Hi Marie – You can see the video if you turn off your ad blocker!
Hi I am made this salad and it was delicious I have made this salad once before and was a big hit thanks for the recipe!
I’m glad you love the recipe, Emma!
HI! I love this salad!! It is a family fav thank you sooooo much for the salad I will definitely make it again! there was also none left in the bowl! Thanks again! 😊
Yay, love to hear that it was a hit, Olivia!
Hi Olivia – That’s great to hear this cucumber salad was finished instantly! Can’t wait for you to make this again.
Hi, I made this lovely Cucumber salad, it is a family fav, I will definitely make it again! thank you for the recipe! 😊
Hi Emma – Thrilled to hear everyone loved this cucumber salad! It will definitely be a hit come summertime.
Hi, I have made this lovely Cucumber salad and it is a family fav it has a lovely taste and flavour I will definitely make it again! 😊
Hi Emma – I’m so glad this cucumber salad is a family favorite now!
I made this to go with your Pulled Pork recipe last night. There wasn’t any Cucumber Salad left to put away! My family ate every delicious bit of it! 😁 So yummy!!
You can’t beat a pulled pork and cucumber salad combo! Happy to hear this recipe was such a hit, Jen. Enjoy!
Hi Lisa. I am a real estate student in London Ontario. I am creating a website to showcase my city and it’s communities. I would also like to feature a “Good Eats” section on my page. I was wondering if I could share your recipes on my website? I have absolutely no problem with you getting all the credit for the good recipes I share and would love to direct folks to your website.
Please Let me know if this is ok. Thank you
Allen
Hi Allen – Please email lisab@downshiftology.com for further assistance on this!
I’d love to make it in advance. Have you tried that? Lots of cukes coming off the vines 😊
Yes, you can definitely make this recipe in advance. It’s a great meal prep recipe. :) Enjoy!
Excellent accompaniment with fish and meat main course 👍
Hi Erlinda – Happy to hear you love this cucumber salad!
Quick and easy side! Perfect for summer. Recommend!
Hi Nicole – I’m so glad you love this cucumber salad!
Great recipe, this is going to be a repeat all summer!
Happy you loved it, Karen!
Can you substitute something else for the honey?
You can use other liquid sweeteners you like!
Really great recipe!! Super flavorful and easy to make! We ate this with your Greek Chicken Souvlaki and tzatziki sauce. Loved the entire meal!!
Very yummy! Made with home grown cucumbers.
I’m sure your homegrown cucumbers tasted amazing for this salad!
Do you think apple cider vinegar would work instead of the wine vinegars? My grandson gets migraines from anything that has grapes. Thank you. Looks dekiciius!!
Yes, no problem!
This is so delicious and easy! Very refreshing for hot Hawaii weather!
Glad this salad was a hit!
I made this twice and loved it. The second time I used Tarragon vinegar instead just to try it and I wasn’t disappointed. I’m going to do the salad for Easter for about 20 people. I’m happy that I found this recipe.
Oh my gosh! This is sooo good! Love it as a side dish or a snack. The flavor is excellent! So versatile!
Glad you’re loving this cucumber salad Christina!
I Made the creamy version , was absolutely delightful, very refreshing salad , will be making this’s one again.
So simple too.
Glad the creamy version turned out perfectly!
I have made both this Easy Cucumber Salad and your Cucumber Radish Salad. Today, I had smaller portions of red and green onions, so I added radishes! Delicious!!
They’re both truly summer staples! Thanks for leaving a review Debbie :)
Does this recipe have enough flavor without the dill? I would like to try a healthier version but I don’t like dill.
I do think the dill really makes this recipe, but you could use another tender herb.
Hi Lisa, you are my god sent angel. I am a single grandma adopted 5 grandchildren all under the age of 10. But mind you I had them for 6years now so they were pretty much babies. I have sacrificed so much as well as my health I use to go to the gym and eat healthy all the time but of course when I got the children I could not do it anymore I get so busy taking care of everyone else I forget myself but I had to realize that if I don’t take care of myself how can I take care of these children. I was looking up healthy recipes or I should say my oldest granddaughter was looking for me and came across some of yours and hour preparations and how you explained in detail everything in your recipes really got my attention. I have tried several recipes of yours and I am very satisfied in all. You are a rockstar!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart .
Hi Sabrina – Wow, 5 grandchildren is a lot and I’m sure it must have taken a toll on your body and health. But, I’m glad you discovered Downshiftology as well and that I’m able to help you in a positive way with all my content + recipes! If you ever need help, please reach out via email.
I love everything you made. Because of you will improved my health for now on. Thank you for help so many people. God bless you for ever.
Thanks so much for your kind words Sandra! Happy to hear you’re enjoying all the recipes so far :)
I only had red wine vinegar on hand and this still turned out well! I paired it with pulled pork and it was a really nice balance. Even on day 3 it was still great.
Hi Aimee – Happy you enjoyed this salad with the red wine vinegar :)
Awesome summer salad. For me it’s a little too vinegary but my friends love it. Still trying to figure out the best pairing but definitely flavourful!
Hi Marcos – This will pair great with any meaty main course such as my crispy baked chicken thighs or even carne asada!
Excellent recipe and just in time for the upcoming summer season! (thanks for sharing the salt tip)
It really is the perfect salad for summer! Hope you enjoy the recipe Connie (and you’re welcome on the salt tip). :)
I cooked for dinner. Great idea! Many thanks for the recipe. Very surprised by the sauce. Unusually for me. But it’s delicious!
Yes, the sauce is super simple. Glad you enjoyed it Elena! :)
You really can’t beat a good cucumber salad, so refreshing. I bet the addition of those onions lifts it right up. Perfect for Summer.
I agree! And yes, those thin onion slices add just the right zing of flavor. Hope you enjoy it Michelle!
It’s so hot in here in the past few days and the weather is CRAZY I wouldn’t mind having this delicious cucumber salad for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Looks delicious and refreshing!
Yes, it’s cooling and hydrating for sure. Hope you enjoy it Natalie!
I eat cucumbers everyday as a snack. I love how fresh and full of flavor you prepared this dish. I am sure we all will love it here. Will be making this on Memorial Day weekend for the gang thanks for posting!
Glad you enjoyed it Claudia! And yes, it’s perfect for Memorial Day. Will be making it again then myself! :)
Cucumber and dill go so well together! We add a little sour cream to ours too.
That’s sound like a great idea for a creamy cucumber salad!
Your photos are just beautiful!! The dressing also sounds super delicious! That’s the perfect salad! And I think it will be a favorite in my house specially for my two year old son who loves cucumbers and raw onions (like, really loves raw onions!)
Thanks Camila! And so funny about your son. Guess he knows what he likes! ;)
I love simple veggie salads like this, vinegar and honey I’m sure gives it a great flavor!
It really does! Amazing what a few simple flavors together can do. :) x
That would be so refreshing in this heat! lovely flavor combination.
Yes! It’s such a cooling and hydrating salad for sure. :)
This looks so delicious! I would be great with a little added feta!
Yes, or goat cheese (my personal fave). ;)
Such a great, healthy side for labor day weekend! Love the fresh dill :)
Absolutely! It’s perfect for any barbecue or outdoor party. :)
This would make a delicious salad for a party.
100%! And it’s all about the outdoor parties this time of year.
I used to make this all the time……them tummy complained. I have switched it up to lemon or lime juice instead of vinegar. :) Gets a thumbs up from me & my tummy!
Perfect! And that’s great that you listened to your body and made the appropriate adjustment. :) x
Such a refreshing, summertime cucumber side/salad/recipe! Wishing you a fabulous long weekend ahead, Lisa. xx
Thanks Liz! You too – enjoy the long weekend! :) x
This was just delicious. I grow Japanese cucumbers and they have been prolific. I found seasoned rice vinegar to be a perfect blend of sweet/salty/sour but not as sharply sour as some other vinegars. We love it with that and/or mixed with mayonnaise and the onions. I occasionally chop fresh jalapeños into it when I’m feely “spicy”. Thanks for this wonderful riffable recipe.