Experience the delightful crunch and tangy flavor of a classic Vinegar Cucumber Salad. Made with freshly sliced cucumbers and onions, seasoned to perfection, and gently steeped in a zesty vinegar dressing, this dish is not just a salad – it’s a refreshing culinary experience. Healthy, incredibly satisfying, and wonderfully low-carb, it’s the perfect addition to any meal or a light, wholesome snack on its own. Prepare to fall in love with its simplicity and vibrant taste!
A Timeless Family Favorite: The Enduring Appeal of Vinegar Cucumber Salad
This simple yet profoundly flavorful cucumber salad holds a special place in my heart, woven into the fabric of my childhood memories. Growing up, our family shared an undeniable love for fresh cucumbers. I vividly recall evenings when my Mom, after a long day at work, would be busy preparing supper. To keep us little ones from constantly asking, “When’s dinner ready?”, she had a brilliant solution: a small, refreshing snack to tide us over. It was never anything too filling, just enough to curb our impatience and offer a burst of fresh flavor.
More often than not, that pre-dinner treat was a bowl of this very Vinegar Cucumber Salad. The crisp slices, marinated in a tangy dressing, were the perfect bite-sized distraction. It wasn’t just about staving off hunger; it was about the ritual, the anticipation, and the simple joy of fresh, wholesome ingredients. This recipe isn’t just a collection of steps; it’s a taste of nostalgia, a reminder of simpler times and cherished moments around the family table. It’s a testament to how humble ingredients, prepared with care, can create lasting memories and become an iconic part of your culinary tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vinegar Cucumber Salad
English cucumbers are easily recognizable by their long, slender shape and the individual plastic wrap they often come in at the grocery store. Their skin is thinner, less bitter, and completely edible, meaning you don’t need to peel them. This saves time and adds a lovely deep green color to your salad. If English cucumbers aren’t available, you can absolutely use standard garden cucumbers. However, we recommend peeling them first, as their skin can be thicker and sometimes a bit waxy or bitter. After peeling, you can also scoop out some of the larger seeds if they seem watery, though this isn’t strictly necessary.
For a classic, crisp, and clean flavor profile, standard distilled white vinegar is my go-to choice. Its sharp acidity perfectly brightens the cucumbers and onions. However, if you’re looking for a slightly different nuance, apple cider vinegar makes an excellent alternative. It offers a milder, fruitier tang and subtle sweetness that can add another layer of complexity to the salad. Some people even enjoy a blend of both! Feel free to experiment with what you enjoy most. Just ensure you’re using a good quality vinegar.
The onion in this recipe is entirely optional, so feel free to adjust it to your preference! Personally, I find that thinly sliced onions, especially sweet varieties like Vidalia or Walla Walla, infuse the vinegar with a wonderful aroma and a subtle, mellow flavor that enhances the entire salad. Even if you don’t plan to eat the onion slices themselves, their presence in the marinade makes a significant difference. Many people, however, truly enjoy the gentle bite of the marinated onions alongside the cucumbers. If you do include them, opting for a sweet onion helps prevent an overpowering pungent taste. Red onions can also work beautifully, adding a pop of color and a slightly sharper flavor.
Thanks to the preserving power of vinegar, this cucumber salad keeps remarkably well! Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will stay fresh and delicious for at least a week. In fact, many people find that the flavors deepen and meld even better after a day or two, making it an excellent make-ahead dish. As time progresses beyond a week, the cucumbers will gradually soften and take on a texture more akin to traditional pickles, which some people actually prefer! Just be sure to keep it covered to maintain its freshness and prevent it from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
Absolutely! While the classic recipe is wonderfully simple, it’s also incredibly versatile. You can easily customize your Vinegar Cucumber Salad with various additions. Thinly sliced bell peppers (any color), cherry tomatoes cut in half, or even radishes can add extra crunch and color. Fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or mint are fantastic for bright, aromatic notes. A pinch of red pepper flakes can introduce a subtle heat, and a dash of sugar can balance the tartness of the vinegar if you prefer a sweeter profile. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Simple Salad
Gathering your ingredients for this easy Vinegar Cucumber Salad is straightforward. You’ll only need a few staple items to create this refreshing dish. The full recipe with exact measurements can be found at the bottom of this post.
- English Cucumber: We recommend English cucumbers for their thin, edible skin and minimal seeds, though regular cucumbers can also be used (peeled).
- Sliced Onion: A sweet onion (like Vidalia) is preferred for its mild flavor, but any onion works if you enjoy a stronger taste. This is an optional addition but highly recommended for flavor infusion.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning and drawing out moisture from the cucumbers, enhancing their crispness.
- Vinegar: White distilled vinegar is standard, but apple cider vinegar offers a slightly milder, fruitier tang.
How to Make the Best Vinegar Cucumber Salad
Creating this delicious and refreshing Vinegar Cucumber Salad couldn’t be simpler. Follow these easy steps to prepare a dish that’s perfect for any occasion:
Step 1: Prepare Your Vegetables
Begin by thinly slicing your English cucumber into uniform rounds. Aim for slices that are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick – thin enough to absorb the dressing quickly but thick enough to retain a satisfying crunch. If using onion, slice it very thinly as well, preferably into half-moons. Place both the sliced cucumber and onion into a medium-sized mixing bowl, ensuring there’s enough room to toss everything comfortably.
Step 2: Season and Dress
Sprinkle the sliced cucumbers and onions generously with salt. The salt not only seasons the vegetables but also helps draw out excess water, which contributes to a crisper salad. After salting, pour your chosen vinegar (white or apple cider) over the vegetables. Ensure all the slices are well-coated. Give everything a good stir or toss gently with a spoon to distribute the salt and vinegar evenly.
Step 3: Marinate to Perfection
Once seasoned and dressed, cover the bowl tightly with a lid or plastic wrap. Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator and allow the salad to marinate for at least one hour. This chilling time is crucial; it allows the cucumbers to absorb the tangy vinegar flavor, become wonderfully crisp, and lets the flavors meld beautifully. For an even more profound taste, you can let it sit for several hours or even overnight.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
After the marinating time, remove the salad from the refrigerator. Give it a final stir, and it’s ready to serve! You can serve it as a refreshing side dish with grilled meats, sandwiches, or any rich meal to cut through the fat. It’s also fantastic on its own as a light, healthy snack. The crisp, tangy, and slightly salty flavors make it incredibly addictive!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cucumber Salad
There are countless reasons why this Vinegar Cucumber Salad should become a staple in your kitchen:
- Incredibly Refreshing: On a hot summer day or as a palate cleanser, its cool, crisp texture and tangy flavor are unbelievably invigorating.
- Simple to Make: With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s perfect for beginner cooks or busy weeknights.
- Healthy & Low-Carb: Naturally low in calories and carbohydrates, it’s a guilt-free side dish that supports a healthy lifestyle.
- Versatile: It pairs beautifully with almost any main course, from barbecue to baked chicken, or even as a light lunch.
- Budget-Friendly: Made with inexpensive, readily available ingredients, it’s kind to your wallet.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The flavors actually improve over time, making it an ideal dish to prepare hours or even a day in advance.
Craving More Cucumber and Fresh Recipes?
If you’ve enjoyed this refreshing Vinegar Cucumber Salad, you’re in luck! Cucumbers are incredibly versatile, and there are many more delicious ways to enjoy them, along with other fresh, vibrant ingredients. Explore these delightful recipes to keep your palate delighted:
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Cucumber Cream Cheese Spread
- Marinated Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Bread and Butter Pickles
- Marinated Cole Slaw
- Refrigerator Pickles
Vinegar Cucumber Salad
1 hour
5 minutes
1 hour
5 minutes
4
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 1 cup vinegar
- ½ Tablespoon salt, more or less to taste
- 1 English cucumber, sliced
- ⅓ cup sliced onion
Instructions
- Combine all sliced ingredients (cucumber and onion) in a medium bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pour vinegar over the top. Stir well to ensure everything is coated.
- Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. For best flavor, allow it to marinate for longer, up to several hours. Serve chilled.
Video
Notes
- English cucumbers, often wrapped in plastic at the grocery store, have thin, edible skin, so there’s no need to peel them.
- You can use either regular white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar, depending on your preference for a sharper or slightly fruitier tang.
- For the onion, a sweet variety like Vidalia is recommended for a milder flavor, but red onion also adds a lovely color and gentle bite.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity, or fresh herbs like dill or parsley.
Side Dish, Appetizer
American, Southern
Nutrition
Calories:
28kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
3g
|
Sodium:
875mg
|
Sugar:
1g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used and exact measurements.
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