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This Sweet Cucumber Salad Recipe is my go-to for potlucks, picnics, and meal prep! It comes together with fresh cucumber, crisp red onions, and a sweet and tangy honey vinaigrette dressing for a refreshing side dish.
This salad is naturally gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly, accommodating a variety of dietary needs!
Why This Is My Go-To Potluck Cucumber Salad Recipe
I love a good cucumber salad recipe when the weather gets warm! We’ve been making this one on repeat since our friends brought a version over a few months back!
Others, like my Easy Cucumber Salad, Tomato Cucumber Salad with Crispy Chickpeas, and TikTok Cucumber and Sweet Pepper Salad, stay in my meal prep rotation, too!
However, this sweet cucumber salad might be my favorite version yet! There’s just so much to love. For example, this recipe is:
- Quick and Easy to Make – All you have to do is slice the veggies, and toss the ingredients together. The only hard part is waiting for the salad to chill.
- Versatile – This salad pairs wonderfully with a variety of main courses, and you can easily mix and match different ingredients to suit your preferences and make it your own.
- Refreshing and Nutritious – Cool and crisp, this salad is also loaded with fresh veggies, meaning it’s packed with vitamins, nutrients, and fiber to keep you full!
- Great to Prep in Advance – This salad tastes better the longer it chills, because the dressing seeps into the veggies, enhancing their flavor. So, it’s great to make ahead of time and enjoy for several days.
Ingredients Needed and Substitutions
*Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient list!
- Cucumbers: I prefer to use English cucumbers for this salad. They have fewer seeds and thinner skin than other varieties, making them less watery, crispier, and easier to eat. However, Persian cucumbers or mini cucumbers will also work.
- Red Onion: Finely diced, this adds a tangy flavor and a satisfying crunch.
- Honey: This is what makes the salad sweet without the need for refined sugar. Maple syrup will also work if you want to keep your cucumber salad vegan-friendly.
- White Vinegar: Used in the dressing, this gives the salad an extra tangy kick. Feel free to substitute rice wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
- Water: I like to use this in place of oil to thin out the dressing, making it easy to coat the veggies without weighing them down.
- Fresh Dill: This is a staple ingredient in all the best cucumber salads! The bright flavor balances the tanginess of the other ingredients perfectly. However, you can substitute fresh parsley, basil, or mint if needed.
- Scallions: Use the white and green parts to add extra crunch and a subtle spice to the dish.
- Crushed Black Pepper: Add as little or as much as you like!
Optional Additions
I don’t ever feel like I need additions here! But one of the best things about this quick cucumber salad is how easy it is to customize! Feel free to mix and match any ingredients you like best. However, if you’re looking for inspiration, some of my favorite ways to switch it up include:
- Cheese: Try sprinkling goat cheese or feta crumbles to give the salad a little extra oomph.
- Produce: Add even more bulk and nutrients with additional fresh produce like cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, or avocado.
- Protein: Make this salad a complete meal by serving it with shrimp, chicken, salmon, or tuna!
- Nuts and Seeds: Add a little extra crunch with toppings like sunflower seeds or peanuts.
- Citrus: Include a dash of lemon juice, orange juice, or lime juice in the dressing for added sweetness and a fruity flair.
- Yogurt or Sour Cream: Make a creamy cucumber salad by mixing plain yogurt or sour cream in with the dressing.
How to Make the Best Sweet Cucumber Salad
- Salt the cucumbers: Use a sharp knife to slice the cucumbers. Add the cucumber slices to a bowl, and coat them generously with fine sea salt. Then, let them chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes. This draws out excess moisture from the sliced cucumbers and prevents the salad from becoming mushy!
- Create the dressing: While the cucumbers chill, whisk the honey, vinegar, and water in a large bowl until smooth.
- Combine: Add the cucumbers, red onion, dill, and green onions to the bowl of dressing. Toss to combine and coat, making sure the dressing covers all the cucumbers. If not, go ahead and make a little more dressing!
- Chill: Transfer the bowl to the fridge to chill.
- Season: Drain the liquid, and transfer the salad to a serving bowl. You don’t want it marinating for more than 6 hours or it will be very pickily! Season with black pepper to taste, and enjoy!
Save the Dressing!
I like to preserve any leftover dressing in case I want to let the salad marinate for longer or have extra dressing for serving!
Serving Suggestions
This sweet cucumber onion salad recipe is so delicious I will totally to eat it on its own! However, it also pairs well as a side salad with a variety of main courses. Some of my favorite options include Paleo Mushroom Burgers, Buffalo Chicken Burgers, Grilled Chimichurri Chicken, Grilled Chicken Thighs, and Air Fryer Steak.
Then, don’t forget additional sides like Potato Salad, Classic Macaroni Salad, and Grilled Corn on the Cob! You’ll have a vibrant, delicious meal everyone will love!
FAQs
I don’t peel the cucumbers for this recipe, because English cucumbers have a thin, crisp skin. However, if you’re using regular cucumbers or garden cucumbers, you will probably want to use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin. Otherwise, the cucumbers might be difficult to eat.
Stored in an airtight container, this recipe will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. You don’t want it marinating for more than 6 hours or it will be very pickily, so make sure to drain!
Yes. Feel free to prepare the veggies and dressing a day or two in advance. Store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Then, when you’re ready to eat, toss them together, let the salad chill, and enjoy!
More Easy Salad Recipes We Love
- Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Easy Edamame Salad
- Greek Lentil Salad
- Cold Asian Noodle Salad
- Chia Honey Lime Fruit Salad
- Greek Three Bean Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
Sweet Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cucumbers peeled and sliced roughly 1/4 inch
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 1 small-medium red onion thinly sliced
- 1 pack or medium bunch fresh dill chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped scallions
- Cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Coat peeled cucumbers with fine sea salt and let sit for 20 minutes in the fridge.6 cucumbers
- In a large bowl, mix the honey, vinegar, and water until combined.1/2 cup honey, 2 cups white vinegar, 2 cups water
- Then, add cucumbers, red onion, dill, and green onions. Make sure liquid covers all the cucumbers, or make more of the water/honey/vinegar mixture.1 small-medium red onion, 1 pack or medium bunch fresh dill, 1/2 cup chopped scallions
- Let sit in the fridge for 60-90 minutes.
- Drain the liquid and transfer to a serving bowl. You don't want it marinating for more than 6 hours or it will be very pickily!
- Add black pepper, to taste. Enjoy!Cracked black pepper
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- To prep ahead, salt the cucumbers. Then, store the cucumbers, onion, and dressing in separate airgiht containers. Combine all the ingredients, and marinate when you’re ready to serve.
Excellent easy to make cucumbers stay firm.A warm weather must for every meal