Easy Cucumber Salad - Eating Bird Food

This Cucumber Salad combines crunchy cucumber slices with red onion tossed in a simple vinegar dressing. It’s refreshing, easy to make, and the perfect summer side dish.

If you have a garden overflowing with cucumbers, this cucumber salad recipe is for you! Seriously, it’s so easy to prepare. All you need are cucumbers, onions and a simple vinegar dressing… that’s it!

The inspiration for this salad came from my childhood. My mom used to make a very similar cucumber salad and bring it to every summer party, so I’m carrying on with the tradition!

Cucumber salad in a white bowl with cucumber slices, red onion and vinaigrette.

Table of Contents

Why you will love this recipe

The combination of crunchy cucumbers and a tangy vinegar dressing creates a refreshing salad perfect for hot summer days.
You only need 6 main ingredients and a few minutes to make this salad!
It goes great with just about anything, making it a versatile accompaniment.

Measured ingredients to make Easy Cucumber Salad: cucumber, red onion, vinegar, water, salt, pepper, and maple syrup.

Ingredients needed

cucumbers – the star of the show! Cucumbers bring a refreshing crunch to this salad. I used English cucumbers, but feel free to use whatever variety you have available.
Red onion – Thinly sliced red onion adds a pop of color and a light bite.
White vinegar – which gives this salad its characteristic flavor.
water – used to dilute vinegar for a milder taste.
Maple syrup – a touch of natural sweetness to balance the flavors.
salt and black pepper – to season

Collage of four process photos showing how to make a cucumber salad: tossing red onions and cucumbers into a bowl with homemade dressing.

How to do

This Cucumber Salad recipe couldn’t be easier to make!

Start by thinly slicing the cucumbers and onions with a sharp knife, then add them to a large bowl.

Next, whisk together the vinegar, water, maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a separate small bowl.

Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and onions and toss to combine. You can serve the salad immediately or place it in the refrigerator to rest for 1 to 2 hours before serving. This allows the cucumbers to soak up more of the dressing. Serve with a slotted spoon when ready and enjoy!

A cucumber salad in a large white bowl on a wood cutting board.

Notes and substitutions

Red onion – If you’re not a fan of red onion, feel free to use a yellow one instead!

add vegetables – I love the simplicity of this salad, but if you want to add more vegetables, go ahead! Bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, whatever sounds good to you!

add fresh herbs – I love adding fresh herbs to my dishes and have found that fresh dill goes really well with this salad, but feel free to use parsley or mint.

White vinegar – Apple cider vinegar will work as a good substitute for white vinegar.

What kind of cucumber is better to use?

I used English cucumbers for this salad, as they tend to be sweeter, have fewer seeds, and have a thinner skin. With that being said, you can use any variety of cucumber you like! Persian cucumbers or regular cucumbers will work for this recipe. Just a note, if you’re using Persian cucumbers, which are much smaller, you’ll want to double the amount you use.

Do I need to peel the cucumbers?

That is totally up to you! I didn’t peel my cucumbers for this salad, but if you prefer to peel your cucumbers, go ahead!

What to serve this cucumber salad with

This Cucumber Salad is a great summer side dish for potlucks or barbecues. Here are some ideas on what to serve this salad with:

How to store

This is a great make-ahead recipe for all your summer parties! Store this Cucumber Salad for up to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

Just a note that the cucumbers will release water as they sit, so the salad could become runnier over time. It’s a good idea to give the salad a good stir before serving if it has been sitting out for a while.