Cucumber Onion Salad

When I want to make a quick and easy side dish, especially in the Summer, I always turn to this zesty cucumber onion salad. This cucumber salad recipe comes together quickly and easily with just a few ingredients. Fresh cucumber and red onion slices are dressed simply in a homemade vinegar salad dressing. It’s a flavor combination that makes me think of beautiful weather, family get-togethers, and fun around the table.

I have a neighbor that always brings over home grown cucumbers, and that leads to us sharing a plate of this delicious salad! All you need are fresh veggies and some pantry staples to make a simple vinegar dressing.

What’s in this Cucumber Onion Salad Recipe?

Cucumbers: Start with fresh, juicy cucumbers, cut into slices. A mandolin works really well for quick slicing. Thinner or thicker slices work, as do diced or cubed cucumbers. A chopped cucumber and onion salad is great too!
Red Onion: Red onion has a nice bite that “spices” this salad up. I like cutting them into half moons, but you can chop or dice onions if you prefer.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This is the base of my vinegar salad dressing. It’s tangy and slightly sweet, and less acidic than some other vinegars, which is perfect for a light salad.
Sugar: Add just a little bit of granulated sugar into the dressing for sweetness.
Water: Water fills out the dressing. No oil needed here!

overhead view of cucumber salad with red onions and vinegar dressing, on a white and blue serving plater

Tips for Success

Most varieties of cucumbers in North America (English cucumbers and “garden cucumbers” are common) will be fine without peeling. But if you use a variety with thick or bumpy skin, feel free to gently peel them.
Generously sprinkle salt over the cucumber slices before tossing them into the salad. The salt will draw out extra water and moisture so that they don’t get watery or soggy. You can salt them in a colander to prevent too much salt from accumulating on the slices.
If the red onion flavor is overpowering, try soaking slices in water before adding them to the salad. I personally love a strong onion taste, but if my husband is eating it too, that’s my favorite trick!

How to Make Ahead and Store

I love that this quick and easy cucumber salad with vinegar dressing can be prepped and/or made ahead of time.

Veggies: Slice cucumbers and onions ahead of time, and store them in airtight containers (separately) until ready to use. If you do this, I recommend salting the cucumbers so they don’t accumulate moisture. You can also go ahead and soak the onions if you want to cut their intensity.

Dressing: Combine the vinegar dressing ingredients in a jar as instructed in the recipe card. This can be kept in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Just shake or stir before tossing into the salad.

Toss everything together when you’re ready to serve it.

fresh cucumber and red onion salad sprinkled with dill, on a serving plate

Serving Suggestions

This easy cucumber salad is one of my all-time favorite spring and summer salad recipes. I love to serve it for light lunches outside along with grilled chicken breast, garlic butter salmon, or grilled pork chops. It’s also a great side salad for Easter dinner, along with lamb or ham. It really pairs beautifully with so many dishes!

5-Star Review

“Easy to make crunchy Cucumber cold salad. Taste gets better with each day it marinates. Thank you for posting.” -Wendy

Cucumber Onion Salad Recipe

Crisp cucumbers, red onions, and a homemade vinegar dressing make for a simple yet delicious salad! This cucumber onion salad recipe is on repeat all Summer long!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings people

Calories 23kcal

Author Becky Hardin

Ingredients

2 cucumbers
1 red onion sliced
⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

Slice each cucumber in ¼-inch slices and add to a large bowl.

2 cucumbers
Add in the sliced red onion (sliced into half moons) and toss to combine.

1 red onion
In a mason jar or small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and pepper.

⅓ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup water, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Pour the dressing mixture over the cucumber and onion and toss to fully coat/combine.
Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.

Video

Notes

If you like, finish the salad with fresh dill or parsley.
If you have leftover cucumbers, try making little cucumber sandwiches. You can also add slices to water for a refreshing and healthy beverage.

Storage: Store leftover salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can make and store the dressing separately up to 5 days.

Nutrition

How to Make Cucumber Onion Salad Step by Step

Slice the Cucumbers: Slice 2 cucumbers into ¼-inch slices and add to a large bowl.

cutting cucumbers into thin slices on a wooden cutting board.

Add the Onions: Add in 1 red onion sliced into half moons and toss to combine.

Sliced cucumbers and red onion mixed in a glass bowl.

Make the Dressing: In a mason jar or small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup of apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup of water, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper.