Cucumber Onion Salad

There’s just nothing better than a Cucumber Onion Salad! Crisp cucumbers and red onions are tossed with a tangy dressing and lots of fresh herbs. This is a picnic basket staple that I make every single summer!

Cucumber Onion Salad

Sometimes, the best things in life are the simplest – and that couldn’t be truer for this classic cucumber onion salad recipe! Cucumbers and red onions are tossed with a dressing that’s made of just apple cider vinegar and honey. Then, it’s adorned with a bouquet of fresh herbs.

From the satisfying crunch to the medley of fresh flavors, there’s a whole lot to love about this summery salad. Oh, and the very best part? It really couldn’t be easier to make in just a few minutes with ingredients you probably already have on hand. I love keeping things fuss-free!

And while I do enjoy this cucumber salad recipe during the hot summer months when I need something nice and refreshing, I should be clear… I love this salad all year round. It’s one of those things that I just can’t help but crave. It’s on the healthier side, loaded with flavor and quick to toss together. What’s not to love?

Ingredient Notes

Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need from the produce section! For a list of the exact measurements, keep on scrolling until you reach the recipe card.

• English Cucumbers – These are my preferred cucumbers for this salad because they have thin skin, less seeds and a crispier bite. However, you can use whatever cucumbers you happen to have on hand.
• Red Onion – I don’t recommend swapping this with a yellow or white onion. The flavor will be totally different and much less bold.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – I like to use this vinegar above others for this recipe because it has just the right amount of subtle natural sweetness to cut through the acidity and compliment the honey.
• Honey – If possible, try to grab a bottle of good quality honey for the very best flavor. Add more or less to control the amount of sweetness in the dressing.
• Kosher Salt – Kosher salt (or flaky sea salt) will create a better flavor than iodized.
• Fresh Herbs – You’ll need dill, parsley and chives for this salad.

How to Make Cucumber Onion Salad

I’m pretty obsessed with how simple and fast this recipe is. Keep on scrolling to the bottom of this page for more detailed instructions!

1. Prepare the main ingredients. Chop up your cucumbers and red onions. Place them in a big salad bowl and set aside.
2. Make the dressing. Whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, and just a pinch of kosher salt until combined.
3. Toss to coat. Pour the dressing all over the cucumbers and onions. Add the fresh chopped herbs to the bowl and give everything a good toss to evenly coat.
4. Chill. Place the salad in the fridge and let it chill for about 10-15 minutes prior to serving.

Tips for the Best Cucumber Onion Salad

Check out these quick tips to get the very best salad every time:

• Don’t store it for too long. I don’t recommend making this salad ahead of time. The acidic dressing will cause the onions and cucumbers to soften the longer it sits.
• Cut everything in uniform pieces. There’s definitely some wiggle room here, so don’t stress. However, everything will fit onto your fork better if it’s cut into similarly sized pieces, so try to be exact.
• Use fresh herbs. Dry herbs just won’t pack the same punch when it comes to fresh, summery, vibrant flavor. Fresh herbs are the way to go!

What To Serve With Cucumber Salad

• The Best Oven Baked Chicken Breast
• Grilled Pork Chops
• Steak Shish Kabobs
• Grilled London Broil with Balsamic Fig Marinade

Toss together more of my favorite salad recipes!

• Grape Salad
• Three Bean Salad
• Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
• Mexican Street Corn Salad

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