Cucumber Vinegar Salad

(18)

This cucumber vinegar salad has the perfect balance between sweet and sour flavors plus a hint of fresh dill. The red onion adds a nice crunch.

Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
4

Nutrition Notes

Are Cucumbers Healthy?

Cucumbers are not only loaded with a variety of vitamins and minerals, but they are about 96% water. This means they can help keep you hydrated. Cucumbers also have a healthy dose of antioxidants and may help reduce inflammation.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

What Are Persian Cucumbers? Is There a Substitute?

Persian cucumbers, also known as mini cucumbers, are small cucumbers about 5 to 6 inches long. They are thin-skinned with a mild, sweet flavor and crisp texture. They're commonly sold in packs of six cucumbers in a tray. If you can't find Persian cucumbers, you can substitute them with one large English cucumber, which has a similar flavor and texture but is larger and wider, about a foot long.

Do Cucumbers Need to Be Salted?

We sprinkle the sliced cucumbers with sugar and salt in a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl. The salt draws out moisture and releases excess water from the cucumbers, keeping them crisp. The sugar and salt also help season the cucumbers lightly before adding the rest of the ingredients, giving the salad a nice balance of sweet and sour flavors with the vinegar. You can reduce the amount of sugar or omit it if you prefer.

Can I Use a Different Type of Vinegar?

Yes, you can. We use white-wine vinegar for our recipe but feel free to use what you have on hand, such as white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, champagne vinegar or rice vinegar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Peel the Cucumbers?

No, there's no need to peel the cucumbers. We use Persian cucumbers in this recipe, which are thin-skinned and edible. If using American cucumbers, you may want to peel their tougher skin which are often coated in wax to help prolong their shelf life.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers and Jan Valdez

Ingredients

  • 6 Persian cucumbers

  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup thinly sliced red onion

  • ¼ cup white-wine vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

Directions

  1. Using a mandoline (or a knife), thinly slice cucumbers 1/4 inch thick. Transfer the cucumber slices to a fine-mesh strainer set over a large bowl; sprinkle with sugar and salt. Toss to combine. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

  2. Discard any liquid in the bowl and wipe the bowl dry. Transfer the cucumbers to the bowl and toss with onion, vinegar, dill and pepper. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

    Cucumber Vinegar Salad
    Photographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Ruth Blackburn

Equipment

Mandoline, fine-mesh strainer

To make ahead

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, March 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

33 Calories
8g Carbs
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 3/4 cup
Calories 33
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 3g
Added Sugars 2g 4%
Vitamin A 94IU 2%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Folate 6mcg 2%
Sodium 292mg 13%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Magnesium 3mg 1%
Potassium 46mg 1%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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