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This easy Cucumber Salad with Vinegar is crisp, tangy, and ready in just 10 minutes! A perfect refreshing summer side dish for BBQs, picnics, and potlucks.
Table of Contents
- A Light and Refreshing Summer Side Dish
- Ingredients You’ll Need for Cucumber Salad with Vinegar
- Where this Recipe Came From
- What’s the Best Type of Cucumber to Use?
- Salad Dressing Substitutions
- Is Cucumber Salad Keto Friendly?
- Suggestions for Cucumber Salad
- How to Serve & Store
- Questions About Cucumber Salad with Vinegar
- How to Make Cucumber Salad with Vinegar
- Cucumber Salad with Vinegar Recipe
- More Fresh Summer Side Dishes
A Light and Refreshing Summer Side Dish
I don’t know about you, but when the sun is shining and the grill is fired up, I crave something light, crisp, and refreshing to balance out all those smoky, savory flavors. And let me tell you, this easy Cucumber Salad with Vinegar is exactly that! It’s bright, tangy, a little sweet, and comes together in just 10 minutes. It’s the perfect side for grilled chicken, hot dogs, steaks, burgers, you name it. And best of all? You only need six simple ingredients to make it.
You can serve this as an appetizer, snack, or side dish. It’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, and barbecue cookouts because it keeps well in the fridge and can be made ahead of time. Add regular or cherry tomatoes to make it even more colorful!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Cucumber Salad with Vinegar
I always have these ingredients on hand during the summer because they make the easiest, most refreshing salad:
- Cucumbers – Five fresh, crisp cucumbers from the garden or the grocery store are my go-to, but feel free to use more or less depending on how many you’re serving.
- Red Onion – Not only does it add a pop of color, but it also brings a bit of sharpness to balance the sweetness. Prefer a milder taste? Swap it out for a Vidalia onion.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – I love the tangy, slightly fruity kick of apple cider vinegar. You can also substitute white vinegar, red wine vinegar, or rice vinegar.
- Sugar – About half a cup, but you can adjust depending on your sweetness preference.
- Water – Half a cup helps balance the acidity of the vinegar.
- Salt & Black Pepper – A teaspoon of salt and a few cracks of black pepper to taste.
Where this Recipe Came From
In my humble opinion, this is the best cucumber salad recipe out there! My mom made this salad often when I was growing up, and we still make it today. It’s the perfect side dish and a great way to bring some freshness into your meal! The sliced cucumbers and red onions soak up the sweet and tangy vinegar dressing so well. This is definitely one of my favorite salads for summer nights.
What’s the Best Type of Cucumber to Use?
Honestly, any kind of slicing cucumber will work, but my top choices are:
- Garden-fresh cucumbers (if you’re lucky enough to have a garden!)
- English cucumbers – They’re crisp and have thinner skin, so no peeling necessary.
- Persian cucumbers – Slightly smaller and extra crunchy.
If using regular grocery store cucumbers, I recommend peeling them if the skin is thick and waxy.
Salad Dressing Substitutions
There are also creamy cucumber salads that use a sour cream and mayonnaise based dressing. Again, it’s a matter of preference. This adds calories to the salad, and makes a heavier dressing that can dominate the fresh cucumber taste. With the vinegar based dressing, this cucumber salad is only 66 calories per serving.
Is Cucumber Salad Keto Friendly?
Yes! Just swap out the sugar for monk fruit sweetener or your preferred keto-friendly alternative, and you’re good to go. This salad is also gluten-free!
Suggestions for Cucumber Salad
This salad is delicious as-is, but if you’re feeling creative, here are some fun ways to mix it up:
- Add cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or sliced tomatoes with a splash of olive oil for extra color and sweetness.
- Toss in some feta cheese for a creamy, salty flavor.
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs like basil, dill, or parsley to enhance the freshness.
- Mix in sliced green, red, or yellow bell peppers or even squash for more crunch and variety.
- Love a little heat? A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce will give it a kick!
- Season the salad with minced garlic for added flavor.
How to Serve & Store
You can enjoy this salad right away, but letting it marinate for at least 20 minutes makes it even better! If you want to prepare it ahead of time, store it in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge. It’ll keep well for up to three days, though the cucumbers will soften over time. (Some people keep it for up to a week, but I find it best when eaten fresh!)
Questions About Cucumber Salad with Vinegar
At least 20 minutes and up to 3 days.
If they have a thick skin, yes. If they’re thin-skinned, just give them a good wash and slice away.
Anything you love! Tomatoes, feta, chickpeas, herbs, peppers—get creative!
More Cucumber Salad Recipes
How to Make Cucumber Salad with Vinegar
Cucumber Salad with Vinegar
Video
Ingredients
- 5 cucumbers
- 1 red onion
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice vinegar)
- ½ cup sugar (or more to taste)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Peel and slice cucumbers into thin slices.
- Cut onion in half and cut into very thin slices.
- Combine onions and cucumbers in a large bowl.
- In a separate, medium-sized bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Pour vinegar mixture over cucumbers and onions. Stir until the cucumbers are evenly coated in the dressing.*
- Refrigerate at least 20 minutes. Before serving, drain liquid and place in a serving bowl to serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information
More Fresh Summer Side Dishes
Looking for more easy, refreshing sides? Check out these favorites:
Chopped Broccoli Salad
Watermelon Feta Salad
Caprese Salad
Greek Pasta Salad
Wedge Salad
Grilled Corn Salad
i make it just this way but NO WATER
The water helps tone down the strength of the vinegar. Did you try our recipe or do you use a recipe of your own?
Can vegetable oil be added instead of water?
You can use vegetable oil or olive oil instead of water. Start with 1/4 cup and add a little at a time as needed. You don’t want it to be too oily. Thanks for asking!
I don’t usually like cucumber but with this recipe I do
Love this recipe!! It’s the perfect amount of vinegar (I used a little of each mentioned) & sugar!! I did mine a little different… I followed your measurements for the vinegar mix but times 4 because I just like all the cucumbers to taste yummy 😁 this is coming from someone who loves vinegar a lot!!
Made this recipe because of too many cucumbers in the fridge, it was delicious. Definitely will be making more!
I think this recipe is good, although I would recommend starting with a lot less sugar if you like it tangy. It was a little too sweet for me, there is also sugar in your cucumbers as well as tomatoes. I will try again using less sugar in the next batch and will post what amount of sugar was just right if you like it more tangy.
Ok. Too sweet. Disappointed
This is the same recipe my wife used for many years and it was always a great hit.
Could I just use this marinade as a dressing (instead of a marinade) and pour it on vegetables, baby greens. etc? I plan on mixing small batches because I only cook for one more person. Thanks so much Erica !
Sure! I think that would work!
simple and delicious….easy for anyone and tastes great, certainly in my rotation.
I make this salad frequently. My young grandchildren love it with cherry tomatoes. I have always used a sweet onion. I will be trying a purple onion next time.
My daughter hates vinegar (but likes red onion) and she loved loved loved this dish. Served it as a side for turkey burgers and crunchy smashed potatoes. This recipe is a keeper!
I am 70 years old and my dad made this when I was a kid. I always loved it; very refreshing. When I married I found out husband hated watermelon, and, by extension, cucumbers because they tasted like watermelon rind. But when he tasted this way of serving cucumbers, he was completely blown away by how much he liked it.
Excellent recipe! I tripled it after making 1 batch – shared it with family and friends! The rating continues to be a 5 from all who are sharing in the amazingly, cool, crisp, refreshing taste of summer all year around!
Best recipe closest to my Dads and Grandmas. I did add a bit more sugar. Very refreshing on days that are over 100.
Best r