Fresh Cucumber Salad Recipe Easy Budget-Friendly Tangy Vinegar Dressing
A quick, budget-friendly cucumber salad with a tangy vinegar dressing that is crisp, refreshing, and perfect as a light side or snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced (about 1 pound)
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill or parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- A pinch of garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and thinly slice 2 large cucumbers into rounds about 1/8-inch thick.
- Thinly slice 1/4 of a small red onion; soak in cold water for 5 minutes if desired to mellow flavor, then drain.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons white vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder if using.
- Slowly drizzle in 1 tablespoon olive oil while whisking to create a smooth dressing.
- Combine cucumber slices and onion in a mixing bowl.
- Pour dressing over the vegetables and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or parsley over the salad and toss lightly again.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 10-15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
Notes
For best flavor, slice cucumbers thinly and let the salad rest chilled for at least 10-15 minutes. To reduce moisture, salt cucumbers and drain excess liquid before mixing. Fresh herbs are preferred over dried for best taste. Adjust salt before serving to avoid dilution from cucumber water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 470
- Fat: 4.5
- Saturated Fat: 0.6
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: cucumber salad, fresh cucumber salad, vinegar dressing, easy salad, budget-friendly, quick side dish, tangy salad, healthy salad