Cucumber Salad

There's no better dish for summer than this cool, easy, and crunchy cucumber salad. It's just the refreshing bite you crave alongside hot-off-the-grill chicken, hot dogs, and burgers! All you have to do is chop the cucumbers and onion and toss with the zippy dressing. Let it hang out for half an hour, then serve it up with whatever you please. Out of all the summer salads and cucumber recipes, this one couldn't be easier!

What's in cucumber salad?

There are two main styles of cucumber salad out there: creamy and vinegar-based. This recipe falls into the latter category and features a simple ingredient list of cucumbers, red onion, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and herbs. It's perfect to make ahead, plus it's great to tote along to summer cookouts, because it can hold up to the heat since there's no mayonnaise or sour cream in it.

What kind of cucumbers are best for cucumber salad?

Seedless (or nearly seedless) cucumbers such as English or Persian varieties are best for this recipe. If you grow cucumbers in your garden, you're welcome to use them but you'll probably want to scoop out the seeds and remove the tough, bitter peels.

What's the best way to thinly slice a cucumber?

A mandoline (here are the best mandoline slicers) is a great tool for slicing veggies thinly and uniformly, but if you don't have one, just use a sharp knife to slice the cucumbers instead.

Do you salt cucumbers for cucumber salad?

No, that's one step you can skip. Salting slices of watery produce, like cucumber, eggplant, and tomato, is a great way to draw out moisture if you're worried about it making a dish soggy. But for this salad, there's no need to separately salt the cucumber and blot away the moisture. Just sprinkle in the salt with the rest of the ingredients—the small amount of liquid that seeps from the cucumber won't hurt the salad.

What can you use instead of apple cider vinegar?

If you're all out of apple cider vinegar, distilled white vinegar or white wine vinegar can be used instead.

Do you to peel cucumbers for cucumber salad?

Cucumber peels are edible, but they don't agree with everyone. There are several ways around this: If using regular cucumbers, peel them partially or all the way; otherwise, seek out varieties English or Persian cucumbers which have thinner, more tender skin that is easier to chew and digest.

Is cucumber salad healthy?

Of all the potluck side dishes, this cucumber salad is a very healthy option! Because it's vinegar-based instead of mayonnaise based, it has fewer calories. Cucumbers also have a very high water content, which helps to keep you hydrated in the heat.

How long can cucumber salad sit out?

This shouldn't sit out for more than two hours at a time. It's most refreshing served cold, straight from the fridge!

Can cucumber salad be made ahead?

Yes, this cucumber salad can be made up to a day before it's served. Just be sure to wait until it's time to eat before tossing in the fresh herbs. (Side note: It helps to know how to store cucumbers so they last longer!)