Quick Marinated Cucumber Salad Recipe

Our quick marinated cucumber salad recipe is a refreshing and scrumptious dish. It can be served as a snack, as the main dish, or as a side dish. Fresh cucumbers are sliced and marinated in a tangy and sweet dressing. The dressing is simple to make using apple cider vinegar, sugar, and spices.

Marinating the cucumbers will allow them to absorb the flavors of the simple dressing. Resulting in a delicious and crunchy dish.

This quick and easy recipe is the perfect way for using up any extra cucumbers you may have on hand and is a great addition to any summer meal. Making it the perfect summer side dish.

Whether you are looking for a healthy snack or a delicious side dish, this quick marinated cucumber salad recipe is a must-try!

If you liked this crunchy salad recipe then you might also enjoy our Greek Cucumber Salad.

Ingredients Needed For Marinated Cucumbers

This quick marinated cucumber salad recipe is made with simple ingredients that can easily be found at the grocery store. This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants a refreshing and flavorful side dish that's quick and easy to make.

Cucumbers are a great addition to any salad as they are refreshing, crunchy, and low in calories. Since the cucumbers are sliced thin this will allow them to absorb the marinade creating a marvelous flavor. I used regular cucumbers but English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers will also work.

The red onion adds a slightly sweet and sharp flavor to the salad and complements the cucumbers well. The red onion can easily be changed out for sweet onions.

The simple marinade is made from apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and black pepper. The apple cider vinegar provides a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to this dish. The acidity in the vinegar also helps to soften and tenderize the cucumbers, which makes the cucumbers more mouthwatering.

Not to mention, apple cider vinegar has many health benefits such as aiding in digestion, reducing inflammation, and supporting weight loss.

The sugar used in the marinade helps to balance the acidity of the vinegar. It can also be replaced with honey which is a natural sweetener. Salt and pepper add flavor and enhance the taste of the cucumbers, of course, this is optional.

This recipe is a great choice for anyone who is looking for a quick and easy salad that's healthy and full of flavor. It's perfect for hot summer days when you just want a light and refreshing snack or side dish to go along with your meal.

The cucumbers and red onions can be sliced in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. The marinade can also be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

When you're ready to serve simply combine the cucumbers and onions with the marinade in a bowl, then toss until everything is well coated. The result is a delicious and healthy salad that's bursting with flavor.

How To Make This Marinated Salad

To make this marinated cucumber salad start by whisking together the apple cider vinegar, water, and sugar in a medium bowl. You will need to whisk this until the sugar completely dissolves. I like to start with this step and then allow it to sit as I'm prepping the rest of the ingredients. That way if all the sugar hasn't quite dissolved, it will settle on the bottom of the mixing bowl. Then I know I need to mix it more.

Peel and slice the crisp cucumbers thinly, I used a crinkle cutter to make mine a bit fancier looking. This was my personal preference, a sharp knife or mandoline slicer will work just as well.

Then combine the sliced cucumbers and red onion in a large bowl, and pour the vinegar mixture over them. This is when I like to add in salt and pepper, this is optional.

You could also add a pop of color with some fresh chopped cilantro, or spice it up a bit with some red pepper flakes. Toss the cucumbers and onions until well coated and let marinate for at least 20 minutes before serving.

When you are ready to serve, give the salad a quick toss of the cucumbers in the tangy vinegar dressing to redistribute the flavors. Then transfer cucumbers and onions to a medium bowl.

A slotted spoon will help separate the fresh veggies from the dressing. This quick marinated cucumber salad is an easy side dish for any summer meal and can be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.

Tips And Variations

I love sharing tips, tricks, and variations that can help make or change our recipes. So here are some tips and variations you can try with this easy summer salad recipe.

Garlic is always a nice addition to recipes and complements onions nicely. If you are a fan of garlic, you can add some minced garlic to the marinade for an extra burst of flavor.

Sprinkle in some sesame seeds or red pepper flakes to change up the flavor even more. We already talked about adding in some fresh cilantro how about trying other fresh herbs? Like fresh dill, mint, or parsley, of course, you can skip these altogether.

Change out the apple cider vinegar for another type of vinegar such as rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, balsamic, white vinegar, or white wine vinegar. Changing the vinegar will bring in a different flavor profile.

We also talked about replacing the sugar with honey. When it comes to the sweetener and salt you can adjust the amount used to suit your taste preferences.

Finally, you can turn this salad into a complete meal with some protein. Such as adding in some grilled chicken, tofu, or grains like quinoa or bulgur. This is a great way to make the salad more filling and satisfying. And it also adds some extra nutrition to the dish.

Or enjoy this alongside of your favorite protein for a light and refreshing meal. Or add a stack on top of a sandwich for a pop of tangy flavor and crunch. I like to enjoy these as an afternoon snack.

Overall, there are many ways to customize this quick marinated cucumbers salad recipe to make it your own. With a little creativity and experimentation, you can create a delicious and refreshing side dish that everyone will love.

No matter how you choose to serve it, this quick marinated cucumber salad recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. With its bright and tangy flavors and refreshing crunch. It's a great side dish for warm summer days and outside gatherings.

If you enjoyed this easy cucumber salad recipe here are some more summer salads you may also enjoy as a summertime side dish.