The Best Cucumber and Onion Salad Recipe
No one is really sure where Onion Cucumber Salad originally came from, but I am grateful it exists. The combination of refreshing cucumbers, crunchy red onions, and a tangy dressing is truly irresistible.
The best part is that this Onion Cucumber Salad is easy to make and comes together in 10-15 minutes. You can let the salad marinate in the fridge for a few hours or serve it right away. Either way, this Onion Cucumber Salad won’t last very long, it is just that delicious!
Are Cucumbers And Onions Good For You?
Yes, cucumbers and onions are great for you.
Cucumbers are low in calories. One cup of cucumber only has 16 calories, which is great if you’re looking to lose weight. Furthermore, cucumbers are full of antioxidants which can help prevent damage caused by free radicals.
Cucumbers are also 90 percent water which means they are super refreshing. They also contain high levels of Cucurbitacin, which can prevent cancer.
Onions, on the other hand, contain loads of antioxidants and compounds that combat inflammation and decrease cholesterol and triglycerides, lowering the risk of heart disease. Onions are also known to decrease the risk of developing colorectal and stomach cancer. They also help in managing blood sugar levels.
Overall, onions and cucumbers are good for you and add great flavor to many dishes.
Why Do People Pair Cucumbers And Vinegar?
Vinegar and cucumbers are a match made in heaven. The vinegar naturally boosts the flavor of the cucumbers while preserving their crunchy texture. This combination has been widely used in almost all cuisines around the world. The tang that comes from the vinegar pairs extremely well with the refreshing taste of cucumber.
Apart from the taste, the combination of cucumbers and vinegar also has a lot of health benefits. In Asian cuisine, this combination is eaten regularly as it is believed to boost the immune system and help detoxify the body as well.
Apart from this, this combination will help in weight loss and keep you topped up with Vitamin C, Manganese, and other nutrients.
How To Store Onion Cucumber Salad?
Store the Onion Cucumber Salad in an air-tight container in the fridge. It will last for 2-3 days.
Plus, the longer the salad sits, the more cucumbers and onions will release their juices. The juices will meld with the marinade, making the onion cucumber salad taste even better.
Onion Cucumber Salad Variations
If you do not like an ingredient in the Onion Cucumber Salad, you can easily change it. Here are some options I’ve used in the past;
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Ranch Dressing
- Avocado
- Mango
- Basil
- Feta Cheese
- Greek Yogurt
Onion Cucumber Salad Ingredients
Onion Cucumber Salad consists of a few simple ingredients that come together to make magic.
Cucumbers: The primary varieties of cucumbers found in grocery stores include English cucumbers and Field cucumbers. The flavor of both varieties is similar. However, field cucumbers have waxy skin that can be bitter. The bitterness can take away from the taste of the salad so you would have to peel them. If you don’t want to peel, use English cucumbers.
Onions: For this recipe, I used red onions because they have a mild flavor and add depth to the salad. I soaked the onions in water and salt to reduce their sharpness. However, you can also substitute white onions for a more robust flavor or Vidalia onions for more sweetness. You can even use a combination of red and white, white and yellow, or all 3 types of onions for added flavor.
Sea Salt: It also helps to pull the moisture out of the onions. Sea salt rounds out the flavor of the onion cucumber salad dressing.
Water: The red onions are soaked in water to reduce their bite.
Spinach Leaves: The spinach leaves act as a bed for the onion cucumber salad. The spinach leaves make the onion cucumber salad heartier, keeping you fuller longer.
Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes are used to garnish the onion cucumber salad and add a juicy burst of acidity.
Cucumber Seeds: Instead of throwing the cucumber seeds away, I used them to make the dressing. They add a creamy texture to the dressing.
Coriander Leaves: Coriander leaves add a herbaceous citrus flavor to the dressing.
Black Pepper: Black pepper adds a mild peppery bite which complements the acidic, sweet, and salty flavors of the Onion Cucumber Salad.
Olive Oil: Olive oil emulsifies the dressing and adds a full flavor.
Vinegar: For the dressing, I used Apple Cider Vinegar as it gives the dressing a tangy flavor. However, you can use any kind of vinegar you have on hand. White wine vinegar adds a lightly acidic and rounded flavor to the dressing while red vine vinegar will add a mellow and tart flavor. The white wine won’t change the color of the onions but the red wine vinegar will so keep that in mind. You can even add white balsamic vinegar to the dressing to create a robust taste and added depth of flavor.
Lime Juice: I used fresh lime juice, but you can also use bottled lime juice. The lime juice adds an acidic flavor to the dressing. It helps brighten things up and enhances the cucumber’s flavor even more. Alternatively, you can use any other type of citrus such as lemon, orange, or grapefruit juice. They will give the Onion Cucumber Salad a sweeter flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes: Red pepper flakes add a bit of spicy flavor to the dressing.
How to make the perfect Onion Cucumber Salad?
This delicious and refreshing Onion Cucumber Salad will brighten up your summer months with its tangy dressing and crunchy texture. Get all your vegetables together and start chopping. Cut your cucumbers in bite size pieces and slice your onions thinly. Save the cucumber seeds.
Before making your dressing, soak the onion slices in water and salt. For the dressing get your cucumber seeds, coriander, vinegar, lime juice, and the seasonings in a blender and blend until smooth. Toss the cucumber and onions in a third of the dressing and serve on a bed of spinach with cherry tomatoes.
Save some dressing to pour on top and enjoy! If you have any leftovers, you can store the salad in an airtight container in a fridge and let the vegetables marinate in the dressing for a more intense taste. Serve with rice, grilled chicken, or any other main dish.
FAQS
Is cucumber a vegetable or a fruit?
This is an age-old question that a lot of people have had on their minds. We’ve always looked at cucumbers as vegetables but the actual fact is that cucumbers are actually a fruit. They are classified as fruit because they contain seeds and grow from the flower of the cucumber plant. So hey, the next time you’re eating a cucumber, remember you’re eating a fruit.
Can you make a cucumber fruit smoothie?
Yes, you can. Cucumbers are 95% water and will add a healthy dose of vitamins and nutrients to your fruit smoothie. You can also make the cucumber the star of the smoothie with strawberries, bananas, and some spinach for an extra health kick.
Are onions vegetables or fruit?
Onions are classified as vegetables because the part that is eaten is the leaves and the bulb. Now, this is not something you were wrong about it.
What can I serve with Onion Cucumber Salad?
This refreshing salad pairs well with any main dish you have on the menu. You can serve this salad with grilled meats, kebabs, homemade pizza, chicken skewers, or even cauliflower rice. You can even have it on its own for lunch or a light snack.
Can I eat tomatoes and cucumber together?
Most dieticians will tell you that cucumbers and tomatoes are not a good combination together. This is because they are not digested at the same time and can counter the absorption of nutrients in your body. However, cherry tomatoes are safe to eat with cucumbers. That is why in this recipe I used cherry tomatoes.
Is it safe to eat cucumber skin?
It is not only perfectly safe to eat cucumber skin but also healthy. When you peel cucumber, you actually forgo a lot of the nutrients that are contained within the cucumber. If, however, your cucumbers are waxy, you may want to peel the cucumbers as they are artificially waxed.
More Delicious Salad Recipes
The Best Cucumber and Onion Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad;
- 2 large English Cucumbers, washed, diced without seeds
- 2 Red Onions, halved and thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup Water
- 2 cups fresh Spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half
- Chives, chopped, for garnishing
For the Dressing;
- Cucumber seeds from cucumbers you've cut
- 2 tbsp Coriander leaves
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Lime juice
- 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Start by cutting your cucumbers in half and taking the seeds out. Keep the seeds aside in a seperate bowl.
- Slice the halves into three parts and cut in bite-size pieces.
- Slice the onions in half and thinly slice. Take a bowl with salt and water and soak the onion slices in it. Let them soak while you make the dressing.
- For the dressing, add the cucumber seeds, coriander leaves, salt, pepper, olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, and red pepper flakes into a blender and blend until combined.
- Drain the onions and place them in a bowl with the cucumbers. Pour half of the dressing and toss to combine.
- Place the washed spinach leaves on the serving platter and add the tossed salad on top. Decorate with halved cherry tomatoes and sprinkle chives on top for garnish.
- Pour the rest of the dressing on top.
- Serve and enjoy!
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