• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Homemade & Yummy
  • Home
  • ABOUT ME
  • CONTACT
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Roundups
  • Brand Influencer
    • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure & Copyright
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Brand Influencer
  • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Brand Influencer
    • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Best Cucumber Salad with Pickled Onions

    April 4, 2018 *Updated* February 19, 2019 / By: Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy 98 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure Policy.
    Jump To Recipe

    You can never have too many salad recipes, and this Best Cucumber Salad with Pickled Onions is quick, delicious and the perfect side for meat or fish.

    Overhead shot of Best Cucumber Salad with Pickled Onions in a bowl.

    I am anxiously awaiting the warm weather and grilling season. With that comes outside eating and LOTS of salads. Potato, pasta, and green salads are great, but sometimes you want a change of pace. This simple Cucumber Salad fits the bill, and according to my husband the best cucumber salad he has ever eaten. Easy to make, crisp and tangy. Perfect for hot weather meals like backyard BBQ’s and picnics. 

    There are so many great ways to enjoy cucumbers. Do you know how healthy they actually are? I love adding them to water for a nice fresh flavour, and using them in appetizers too.

    Join Our Mailing List

    You will receive a FREE PANTRY STAPLES PRINTABLE and easy recipes to make with them.

    When I was a child, my mom, aunts and of course baba ALWAYS had gardens. So many great vegetables were at our fingertips. It was like having a farmers’ market in your own backyard. Somehow the green thumb did not get carried along with me. I am not a gardener at all. Not even close.

    Cucumbers slices draining in a mesh strainer, salad ingredients off to the side.

    However, I do recall having to pick the vegetables at “just the right time”, especially when it came to cucumbers. You see, my mom was adamant on the perfect size of cucumber to make dill pickles. I also remember she would just happen to go on vacation right around the time the “perfect cucumbers” would be ready.

    So guess who she would leave in charge of this chore? Yup, me! Since I did not like spending time in the garden, this was not a chore I welcomed. If I left them for a day too long (heaven forbid), I would certainly hear about it when she got home.

    Close up of cucumbers and pickled onions in a bowl ready for the salad dressing.

    If the cucumbers got too large, she would use them in a salad. You have probably eaten something similar? Her version consisted of cucumbers, onion, and mayonnaise.

    BEST CUCUMBER SALAD VARIATIONS

    If you search the web you will see so many variations for this simple cucumber salad. Russian, Greek, Italian, Thai, Scandinavian, I think every culture has a form of this kind of salad. Some are creamy, some are tangy, some are on the sweet side. The basic cucumber salad recipe includes:

    • cucumbers
    • dressing
    • seasonings

    Some cucumber salad recipes will add other items like onions, tomatoes or radishes. In fact, my Snap Pea Salad has cucumbers too.

    The cucumber can be peeled (or not), cut in circles or chunks. Seeded by removing the pulp (or not), and some people like to sprinkle salt over the cucumber slices/pieces and let them drain (sweat) for a few minutes to release excess moisture. 

    WOW, there are A LOT of variations for one humble salad. Yet they are all so simple to make, and the end result is a crisp, refreshing great side dish (or even a great lunch all on its’ own). Perfect with Grilled Chicken Skewers or  Zucchini Burgers.

    Closeup shot of the best cucumber salad in a bowl ready to eat.

    I took my mom’s version and switched it up. Since hubby does not like eating raw onion (even red ones), I used pickled onions instead (the secret to making this the best cucumber salad he has ever eaten). I replaced mayo with sour cream and seasoned with dried dill. I also used the salt method to get excess water out of the cucumber before mixing it all together.

    Speaking of pickled onions, have you ever tried pickled eggs?

    The result was a light, refreshing and tasty side dish to our grilled burger. Feel free to switch things up and use greek yogurt, fresh dill and raw onions. There is not a right or wrong way to make and enjoy this great salad.

    A fork full of cucumber salad.

    This Best Cucumber Salad with Pickled Onions is quick to make, and the perfect party salad. Easy on the budget and you can make a HUGE batch in no time. I know this will be a staple this summer. Give this a try!

    Do you have a cucumber salad recipe you love?

    Be sure to sign up for my WEEKLY NEWSLETTER and grab your FREE printable.

    Best Cucumber Salad with Pickled Onions long pin image.

    Overhead shot of Cucumber Salad with Pickled Onions in a bowl.

    Best Cucumber Salad with Pickled Onions

    Best Cucumber Salad with Pickled Onions is light, refreshing and a great change of pace from potato or pasta salads. Quick to make, economical and the added benefits of eating healthy cucumbers. Perfect for hot weather meals like backyard BBQ’s and picnics. 
    5 from 36 votes
    Pin Recipe Print Rate Save Saved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Canadian
    Keyword: BBQ side dish
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 79kcal
    Author: Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

    Ingredients

    • 1 English cucumber
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • ¼ teaspoons dried dill
    • ½ cup pickled onions
    • 1 teaspoons salt
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Wash and slice the cucumber into ¼" rounds. Place in a mesh sieve (over a bowl or in the sink) and sprinkle with the salt and mix a bit to distribute.
    • Let the cucumbers sit for 10-30 minutes (depending on how much time you have). 
    • Mix the sour cream and dill in a bowl and set aside. Feel free to use more if you like.
    • Slice the pickled onions into thin strips, and place in a bowl.
    • Take the cucumbers out of the sieve, and place in either paper towels or a kitchen towel. Give this a good squeeze to release as much moisture as possible. Place the cucumbers in the bowl with the onions.
    • Add the sour cream mixture, stir to combine.
    • ENJOY!!

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 1189mg | Potassium: 261mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 335IU | Vitamin C: 4.2mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 0.4mg

    Notes

    There is no right or wrong way to make this salad. Feel free to use yogurt, fresh dill and raw onions if you wish.  If you don't have time to get moisture out of the cucumber...no problem. This recipe will still work just cutting the cucumber up and using as is. The choice is yours....have fun.
    Tried this recipe?Take a picture and tag @homemadeandyummy
    Nutritional information on this site is generated via a plugin. I am not responsible for the accuracy of the plugin information.

     

    More Salads

    • Smoked Salmon Salad
    • Mediterranean Tuna Avocado Salad
    • Healthy Chickpea Salad
    • Zucchini Caesar Salad

    MEET THE AUTHOR

    Gloria Duggan is the author for Homemade & Yummy, where she creates fun and easy recipes. She is also a brand ambassador/influencer for well-known companies. Gloria has judged food competitions and has posted about local food events. Gloria's work has been featured in magazines, and she has been interviewed on several podcasts. Read More…

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chef and Steward

      March 04, 2019 at 9:32 am

      Ingredients in the fridge? Check! Ingredients in the pantry? Check! I am ALL about the simplicity, ease and freshness and flavour texture contrasts! Love this recipe Gloria!

      Reply
      • Homemade & Yummy

        March 05, 2019 at 4:27 pm

        Thanks so much. Hope you love this as much as we do.

    2. Matt Kearns

      April 16, 2018 at 9:29 am

      Wow so many tasty flavors with this salad! I’m m addicted to anything pickled and I can’t wait to try this recipe!

      Reply
      • Homemade & Yummy

        April 16, 2018 at 3:10 pm

        I just bought more cucumbers on the weekend….round 2 coming up this weekend.

    3. Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen

      April 15, 2018 at 10:16 pm

      I adore salads like this! I’ve made a lot of variations as well, but I’m not sure if I’ve ever pickled the onions for it. What a great idea, and awesome that you put a twist on it so your husband would enjoy it, too!

      Reply
      • Homemade & Yummy

        April 16, 2018 at 9:10 am

        Yes the pickled onions really do add a great taste and texture to this simple, delicious salad.

    4. Stacey

      April 15, 2018 at 10:10 pm

      This sounds so good! I love cucumber salads, but have never made one with pickled onions…I have give this one a try!

      Reply
      • Homemade & Yummy

        April 16, 2018 at 9:10 am

        Hope you enjoy it as much as we do. It is so easy and delicious.

    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Gloria headshot

    Hi, I'm Gloria! Homemade food should be tasty, easy and satisfying. Let me help you create food your family will love.

    More about me →

    Connect with me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Breakfast/Brunch

    • Goat Cheese Log
    • Smashed Avocado On Toast
    • Easy Muesli Recipe
    • Poached Eggs & Lentil Hash

    Popular Favourites

    • Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe
    • Simple Smoked Salmon Sandwich
    • Ukrainian Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole
    • Quinoa Tuna Casserole

    Footer

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Brand Influencer
    • Work with Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Homemade & Yummy