Are you craving a fresh and zesty addition to your meal lineup? Look no further than this quick and tasty cucumber salad! Bursting with crispness and vibrant flavors, this recipe is a delightful way to elevate any dining experience. It’s not just a salad—it’s a refreshing sensation that takes mere minutes to prepare and delivers a symphony of tastes with every bite.
This simple yet flavorful salad combines the crunch of cucumbers, the subtle bite of red onion, and a harmonious blend of herbs and dressing that’ll tantalize your taste buds. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, need a light side for dinner, or simply want a healthy snack, this cucumber salad is the perfect answer. Get ready to embark on a journey of crispness and tanginess that’s easy to make and incredibly satisfying.
How to Cut Cucumber for Salad?
To prepare cucumber for salad, you can follow these simple steps:
Cut Cucumber Spears:
- Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise.
- Optionally, use the tip of a spoon to scrape out the seeds.
- Cut the halves in half lengthwise, resulting in four total spears.
- Adjust length by cutting the spears widthwise for smaller pieces.
- Adjust Size (Optional):
- If desired, further cut cucumber spears in half lengthwise to achieve the desired size.
Dicing Cucumber:
- Start by chopping off both ends of the cucumber.
- Cut the cucumber in half, creating two shorter pieces for easier handling.
- Slice each piece lengthwise down the center, resulting in 4 halves, each with a flat side.
- Place all the cucumber pieces flat sides down on a cutting board.
- Cut these pieces lengthwise down the center again, producing cucumber quarters.
- Lay the cucumber quarters flat side by side on the cutting board and cut them across into thin diced pieces.
Julienning Cucumber:
- Begin by cutting off both ends of the cucumber.
- Divide the cucumber into 3 to 4 smaller pieces.
- Make one piece stand up vertically and slice down one side to create a flat side; repeat for each piece.
- Place the cucumber pieces flat side down on the cutting board.
- Cut thin slices lengthwise, creating about 6 to 8 thin slices for each piece.
- Stack these slices on top of each other and cut them into matchstick-shaped cucumber pieces.
These straightforward steps will help you efficiently prepare diced and julienned cucumber for your salad.
Quick and Tasty Cucumber Salad Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Knife and chopping board
- 1 Colander
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Small Bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Measuring Spoons
- 1 Plastic Wrap
Ingredients
- 2 Cucumbers thinly sliced
- 1 Red Onion thinly sliced
- 2 Scallions thinly chopped
- 3 tbsp Fresh Dill chopped
- 1 tbsp Salt
- 1½ tbsp Vinegar
- 2 tsp Honey
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the sliced cucumber to a colander and toss with the salt.
- Set the colander in your sink or on a plate, as the salt will pull liquid from the cucumbers. Let this sit for a few minutes, then rinse the cucumber with cold water.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, olive oil, honey, chopped dill, salt, and pepper to form the dressing.
- In a larger bowl, toss the cucumber slices, sliced red onions, and chopped scallions together.
- Pour the dressing over the cucumber and onion mixture. Gently toss to ensure the dressing coats all the veggies evenly.
- Cover the bowl and let the flavors meld together in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before serving.
- Just before serving, give it a quick toss again and garnish with a sprig of fresh dill, if desired
Notes
- For an extra kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of lemon juice to the dressing.
- Feel free to experiment! Cherry tomatoes or crumbled feta cheese can be excellent additions to this salad.
Nutrition
Nutritional Facts (per serving):
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 80 kcal |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 10mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 6g |
| Protein | 2g |
What to Serve with Cucumber Salad?
Think of cucumber salad as the cheerful sidekick that jazzes up your meal! Here’s how it steals the show:
