Easy Old Fashioned Cucumber Salad with Onions

Make this old-fashioned cucumber salad with your fresh garden cucumbers! This is a summer salad recipe with a sweet and simple vinegar dressing, like Grandma used to make.

I have to say, if you haven’t had this easy cucumber onion salad, you are missing out! It’s a simple summer salad that dresses sliced cucumbers and onions with a homemade dressing. I remember my maternal Grandmother serving this delicious sour cucumber salad every year in the late summer months.

This recipe is a great way to use up garden cucumbers, which is definitely what she was doing!

Luckily, it’s easy to make this classic cucumber salad! You only need a few simple ingredients; cucumbers, water, oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper and celery seed.

I add fresh dill to the mix, but feel free to omit the dill, or substitute other fresh herbs like fresh basil.

For this easy recipe, I used simple ingredients. You will need fresh cucumbers, high quality cane sugar, vinegar and seasonings.

The dressing in this cucumber salad is also amazing on a wilted lettuce salad!

For the dressing recipe, you can make adjustments. If you like a more tart dressing, add more vinegar. For extra sweetness, add more sugar.

I know that some of my family members add whole garlic cloves to the dressing for a garlicky flavor. Please taste and adjust to your personal taste! 

Recipe Substitutions

This easy cucumber salad is a flexible recipe with several substitutions. You know that I love substitutions because they allow you to use what you have on hand at home! Here are a few suggestions: 

• Instead of white vinegar, use red wine vinegar, rice vinegar, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• Instead of the yellow onion, use a white onion, Vidalia onions (sweet onions), red onions or shallots 
• Instead of the fresh dill, use dried dill. You will need 1/3rd of a teaspoon of dried dill.
• I used garden cucumbers for this recipe, but feel free to use another variety. English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers or mini snacking cucumbers. Be aware that some varieties have thicker skin, so you may want to peel those first when using them.

Recipe Additions

Make this recipe your own! Try these easy additions:

• Add a cup of halved cherry tomatoes. Tomatoes are a very traditional addition to this type of cucumber salad!
• Add fresh herbs like fresh parsley or basil. 
• Add whole garlic cloves or a sprinkle of minced garlic to the dressing.

Looking for a creamier version of this cucumber salad recipe? Try my Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad.

Serving Suggestions

This simple side dish is perfect for summertime cookouts or early fall potlucks. If you’re making it for home, I love this serving fresh side dish on a hot summer night.

It’s wonderful with grilled pork chops or smoked whole chicken or BBQ ribs.

When I have leftovers, I like to eat this easy salad recipe for lunch as a main course with some hummus and crackers on the side! 

The good news is that this great recipe lasts in the fridge for about a week, so you can use it for several meals.

Storing Leftover Cucumber Salad

Store leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week. I like to use a mason jar or glass container since this is an acidic recipe. 

I hope you love this sweet and sour cucumber salad! If you end up making it, let me know how it goes in the comment below.

Old Fashioned Cucumber Salad

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Additional Time: 2 hours hrs

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Author: Michelle Goth

Make these old fashioned cucumbers with your fresh garden cucumbers! This is a refreshing cucumber salad with a sweet and simple vinegar dressing, like Grandma used to make.

5 from 8 ratings

Print Leave a Review Pin Recipe

Ingredients

 

½x1x2x

• ▢ 2 cucumbers, large, sliced, about 3-4 cups
• ▢ 2 teaspoons sea salt
• ▢ ½ yellow onion, sliced thin

For the dressing:

• ▢ ¾ cup white vinegar
• ▢ ½ cup sugar
• ▢ 2 tablespoons water, cold
• ▢ 1 tablespoon canola oil
• ▢ 1 teaspoon celery seed
• ▢ 1 teaspoon black pepper

Optional, for garnish:

• ▢ fresh dill

Instructions

 

• Slice cucumbers into thin slices using a chef knife or mandolin slicer. 
• Place sliced cucumbers on a paper towel lined plate or cutting board and sprinkle them with the salt. Allow the cucumber slices to rest for at least 20 minutes. This will help to remove excess moisture, so you have crisp cucumbers! 
• In a large bowl, add vinegar, oil, sugar, water, black pepper, and celery seed. Whisk vigorously with a wire whisk until the sugar dissolves. 
• Add onion slices to the vinegar mixture and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes before adding the cucumbers. 
• Toss the cucumbers and onions in the vinegar dressing, then cover with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 2 hours before serving. 
• Serve cold. Enjoy!

Notes

Substitute any neutral oil like olive oil or avocado oil for the canola oil.

Serving: 1, Calories: 158kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 0.2g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Sodium: 777mg, Potassium: 24mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 2IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Did you make this recipe?Please leave a review or share a photo on Instagram.