Last Updated on January 10, 2024
We’ve rounded up 15 best cucumber salad recipes that are like a taste of summer in your mouth with their bright colors and crisp, refreshing flavors.
Simple to prepare with just a few fresh ingredients, they are perfect as a quick and delicious appetizer or easy side dish for any event. Plus, they will surely, quickly become a household favorite.
If you’re looking for a good cucumber salad recipe, you’ve come to the right place!
Get the crispiest cucumbers you can find, and let’s get into these refreshing salad dishes that will surely be a hit and leave your guests wanting more.
Easy Cucumber Salad Recipes
1. Non-Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad
Looking for a cool and refreshing side dish? Dive into the world of non-spicy Korean cucumber banchan, packed with crisp cucumbers and an addictive dressing.
Unlike the traditional recipe, we simply omit gochugaru (Korean chili pepper flakes) to make this dish suitable for people who can’t handle the heat.
So now you can embrace the summer with this easy and refreshing salad recipe.
Make this salad in advance, let it sit in an airtight container to marinate, and enjoy a burst of flavor in every bite.
This salad is a delightful addition to any meal.
2. Chinese-Style Cucumber Salad Recipe
Chinese-style cucumber salad is a refreshing and delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a side or an appetizer.
This recipe combines the crunchiness of cucumbers with the subtle spiciness of garlic and chili oil, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
To make this salad, start by cutting the cucumbers into chunks to retain the crunchiness.
Then, salt the cucumbers and mix them with garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and chili oil in a bowl. Let the flavors meld together by refrigerating for at least 30 minutes.
When ready to serve, garnish the salad with toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro for added aroma and texture.
This is an easy make-ahead side dish that pairs perfectly with Vegetable Chop Suey and Chinese Eggplant Stir-Fry.
The result is a vibrant and appetizing salad that is both visually appealing and brimming with flavor.
Whether served at a summer barbecue or a Chinese-themed dinner party, this side dish is sure to be a hit among your guests.
3. Israeli Salad Recipe
Israeli salad is a refreshing and colorful dish that is a staple in Israeli cuisine. It is made with simple and fresh ingredients, including Persian cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and parsley.
To make the salad, the vegetables are diced into small pieces and mixed together in a bowl.
The dressing for the salad is made with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, which adds a zesty flavor to the dish.
This salad is often served alongside other Middle Eastern dishes like falafel or hummus.
It’s not only delicious but also healthy, as it is low in calories and packed with nutrients. The combination of crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and fresh herbs with a pinch of sumac creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
Whether served as a side dish or as a meal on its own, Israeli salad is a tasty and nutritious addition to any table.
4. Smashed Cucumbers with Mint
This dish with Mint is a refreshing summertime delight.
With cucumbers, sliced red onion, and fresh mint leaves, this side dish marries flavors in every inch.
Let the salad sit to meld, and enjoy this recipe as the perfect side.
It’s a family favorite that takes minutes to make and adds a deliciously light vinegar touch to any potluck or barbecue.
5. Creamy Fresh Dill Cucumbers
Indulge in this delectable recipe, a perfect blend of onions and thinly sliced cucumbers stirred in a tasty dressing. Use vegan yogurt for a more hearty meal.
You can use a mandoline to slice the cucumber thinly. The addition of fresh dill elevates the flavor, making it an ideal meal that goes well with any main course.
Serve it chilled for a refreshing bite. It’s a simple, gluten-free delight that’s ready in minutes.
If I were you, I wouldn’t hesitate to make creamy cucumber salad with this recipe.
6. Ina Garten’s Creamy Cucumber Salad
This meal is a delightful blend of English cucumbers, seasonings, and vegan yogurt. The salad is enhanced with the addition of dried dill, creating a flavor that’s perfect for a summertime potluck.
As for how to make this recipe, you start by scooping out the seeds and thinly slicing the cucumbers.
Then, add 1 cup sour cream dressing (replace with vegan version) and let them marinate together for the best flavor. This cucumber salad is an easy recipe that’s ready to serve in no time.
7. Smashed Cucumbers
Experience a burst of flavor with this salad. This recipe uses cucumber, smashed and marinated in a tart garlic-soy dressing. The salad is then sprinkled with sesame seeds, adding a delightful crunch.
Make this salad and let the flavors mix together for a refreshing and delicious treat.
You can pair this dish with the main meals for a balanced meal that offers a refreshing contrast to the smoky, savory flavors of the protein.
8. Cucumber Pickle Salad
Try the Cucumber Pickle Salad and savor its unique flavors. This recipe features English cucumbers and red onion marinated in a tangy cucumber salad dressing made of apple cider vinegar and pickle juice.
The salad is then garnished with diced pickles, adding a delightful crunch. This refreshing cucumber salad is a quick and simple addition to any dinner.
9. Mint Julep Cucumber Salad
The Mint Julep Cucumber Salad has an interesting flavor profile. This salad features a blend of sliced cucumbers and white onions marinated in a vinegar mixture of white wine vinegar, sugar, bourbon, and maple syrup as an alternative to honey.
Stir in dill and mint leaves, and let the salad marinate for a few hours before serving. This gluten-free salad offers a unique flavor profile, and the juicy cucumbers make this a perfect dish.
Make this cucumber salad ahead of time for the best taste experience.
10. Michael Symon’s Cucumber Salad
This is a refreshing treat for your taste buds. This delectable salad, brimming with crisp cucumbers, zesty lemon, and aromatic dill, promises a delightful crunch in every bite.
A perfect blend of simplicity and elegance, this recipe proves that the best flavors often come from the simplest ingredients.
Hey, you can use almond milk or coconut yogurt instead of Greek yogurt and you’re good to go!
11. Cucumber Walnut Salad
Cucumber Walnut Salad is a refreshing blend of crunchy and mild sour flavors.
This salad is a celebration of textures, with the crispness of cucumbers meeting the hearty crunch of toasted walnuts.
The aromatic bite of pickled onions and the vegan cheese (as an alternative) add layers of flavor, making this salad a standout.
It’s a testament to the magic that a simple ingredient list can create when combined thoughtfully.
Enjoy it chilled for a refreshing escape on a warm day.
12. Asian-Inspired Cucumber Salad
Experience the refreshing crunch of slices of cucumber marinated in rice vinegar with this recipe.
This summer is a perfect time to eat this delectable dish. It combines the water content of cucumbers with a tangy marinade poured over cucumbers and onions.
The cucumbers for this recipe can be seedless or any kind of cucumber you want. You may want to peel them if you prefer, but the cucumber peels add vibrant color and texture to the dish.
Enjoy this make-ahead, gluten-free delight that’s as easy as it is flavorful.
13. Asian-Inspired Hot-Sweet Pickle Salad
The Asian-inspired Hot-Sweet Pickle Salad is a delicious way to combine savory and sweet ingredients.
This recipe uses red chile peppers for a kick of heat and small Kirby cucumbers, which make the perfect cucumbers for this dish.
The salad is dressed with a marinade of tamari sauce and rice wine vinegar, poured over cucumbers for a delightful tang.
14. Japanese Spiral Cucumber Salad
Immerse yourself in the flavorsome delight of this meal.
In this recipe, cucumbers are spiral-cut and salted, patted dry, and then placed in a colander to drain excess water.
The salad is then tossed gently in vegan mayo sauce, tahini, sesame seeds, and a little spice.
This gluten-free, make-ahead dish offers a delightful blend of flavors, making it a perfect choice for any dinner.
15. Smashed Chinese Cucumber Salad
Unleash your culinary skills with the Smashed Chinese Cucumber Salad.
This recipe uses cucumbers that are smashed to perfection and marinated in a flavorful garlic-soy dressing.
The salad is then garnished with red pepper flakes, adding a delightful kick.
Best of all, you can make cucumber salad ahead and let the flavors meld together. So you can enjoy a refreshing and delicious experience.
16. Cucumber Tomato Salad
This easy cucumber salad has vivid flavors that you will love. This recipe features English cucumbers and cherry tomatoes tossed in a tangy vinegar mixture.
The salad is then garnished with fresh basil, mint, and dill, adding a delightful freshness.
This salad is a versatile and simple complement to almost any dish.
What Kind of Cucumber is Best for Salad?
When it comes to choosing the best cucumber for a salad, it is important to consider the texture and taste.
English cucumbers are often preferred due to their mild and sweeter flavor. These cucumbers have thinner skin and fewer seeds, making them perfect for slicing and adding to salads.
Persian cucumbers are another great choice, as they are crisp and have a refreshing taste.
They are smaller and seedless, making them easy to prepare and ideal for a salad.
Additionally, both English and Persian cucumbers have a higher water content, which adds a nice crunch to the salad.
Overall, these two varieties are the best cucumbers for a delicious and refreshing salad.
Can You Make Cucumber Salad Ahead?
Yes, you can make cucumber salad ahead of time. It is actually recommended to let the flavors blend sit in for a bit before serving.
To make cucumber ahead, simply prepare the salad as you normally would, combining sliced cucumbers, onions, vinegar, oil, and any other desired ingredients.
Place the salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour, or even overnight.
This will allow the flavors to develop and the cucumbers to become more tender.
Just be sure to give the salad a good toss before serving to redistribute the dressing and flavors evenly.
16 Best Recipes with Cucumbers (Super appetizing!)
Ingredients
- 1. Non-Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad
- 2. Chinese-Style Cucumber Salad Recipe
- 3. Israeli Salad Recipe
- 4. Smashed Cucumbers with Mint
- 5. Creamy Fresh Dill Cucumbers
- 6. Ina Garten's Creamy Cucumber Salad
- 7. Smashed Cucumbers
- 8. Cucumber Pickle Salad
- 9. Mint Julep Cucumber Salad
- 10. Michael Symon's Cucumber Salad
- 11. Cucumber Walnut Salad
- 12. Asian-Inspired Cucumber Salad
- 13. Asian-Inspired Hot-Sweet Pickle Salad
- 14. Japanese Spiral Cucumber Salad
- 15. Smashed Chinese Cucumber Salad
- 16. Cucumber Tomato Salad
Instructions
- Our cucumber salad recipes are packed with flavor and easy to make. Check them out now!
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