Cucumber and Onion Salad: Crisp Perfection in Every Bite!

What Are The Health Benefits of Cucumber and Onion Salad?

Experience a delightful culinary adventure where freshness meets flavor with our Cucumber and Onion Salad recipe!

Discover how to combine refreshing cucumbers with the zesty kick of onions to create a delicious and healthy salad. 

We’ll guide you through the steps to make a dish that satisfies your taste buds and nourishes your body with numerous health benefits.

This Cucumber and Onion Salad combines freshness with nutrition, delivering crisp perfection in every refreshing bite. Get ready to enjoy a delightful and nourishing experience!

Thinly sliced cucumber
Thinly sliced cucumber

Table of Contents

Is Cucumber and Onion Salad Low-Carb?

Thinly sliced white onions
Thinly sliced yellow onions

Cucumber and onion salad is typically considered low-carb since cucumbers and onions are both low in carbs. It also contains potassium and antioxidants, promoting heart health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Cucumbers have very few carbohydrates, and although onions have slightly higher carb content, they are used sparingly in most salad recipes. Together, cucumbers and onions offer many health benefits while keeping your carb intake in check.

To maintain a low-carb option, choose a basic dressing and eliminate any added sugars. For low-carb or keto dieters, you can simply enjoy this refreshing side salad without any sugar or sweetener. But if you like your salad a little sweeter, you can add a teaspoon of sugar or sugar replacement to this recipe.

Overall, cucumber and onion salad is a delicious and healthy option for those on low-carb or keto diets. Just remember to adjust the ingredients and quantities according to your preferences.

Cucumber and Onion Salad Recipe

Making this delightful summer side dish salad is an absolute breeze. Simply combine a handful of ingredients and voila! You’re all set!

Ingredients

This cucumber salad recipe has three main ingredients, excluding salt and pepper. Sugar is optional and should be avoided for low-carb diets.

Sweet brown onion bulbs
Sweet brown onion bulbs

Fresh cucumbers: Use thinly sliced English cucumbers. You may also use Persian cucumbers, Japanese cucumbers, or Kirby cucumbers instead.

Onion: You can use medium brown onions or sweet white onions, thinly sliced. You can also go with sweeter options like red onions or Vidalia onions.

Apple cider vinegar: You can use a single vinegar that you have on hand or combine two for extra flavor. It’s best to choose milder options like apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, or sherry vinegar. You can also use red wine vinegar alone or together with apple cider vinegar. We generally advise against using white wine vinegar as it can be overpowering.

Salt and Pepper: A teaspoon each to taste. Seasoned celery salt is great for more flavor, but you could also use regular sea salt. 

Sugar: This is optional. This salad tastes good without any additional sweetness. But if you want, you can add your choice of sugar or sweetener.

How to Make Cucumber and Onion Salad

Gather the following ingredients:

  • 2 English cucumbers (about 2 cups sliced thinly)
  • 1 medium brown onion or sweet onion (sliced thin)
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Cut each cucumber into ¼-inch slices and place them in a large bowl.

Cut the onion into thin slices and add to the bowl. Toss to combine.

Make the cucumber salad dressing in a separate bowl. Mix all the remaining ingredients.

Pour the dressing over the sliced cucumbers and onion and toss to fully combine.

Chill the cucumber and onion salad until ready to serve.

Nutrition Information

This cucumber salad recipe makes about four servings. Each serving contains:

  • Calories: 36kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 8.1g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1.2g
  • Sugar: 3.7g
  • Total Fat: 0.2g
  • Protein: 1.3g

Tips for Making the Best Cucumber Salad

Thinly sliced cucumber with a small knife
Thinly sliced cucumber with a small knife

For the most flavorful experience, purchase cucumbers and onions straight from a local farmers’ market. Make sure to check cucumbers and onions for any marks and blemishes.

Vinegar adds flavor and freshness to the vegetables, especially when you combine rice wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar. For a stronger vinegar taste, try white vinegar. 

Slice cucumbers thinly to help them absorb the tangy vinegar dressing. Thicker slices won’t soak up as much flavor.

For stronger flavors in this simple cucumber and onion salad, let it sit for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. Alternatively, you can store it in the fridge in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.

This tasty cucumber and onion salad can be customized with additional ingredients like nuts, fresh herbs (such as dried or fresh dill), or meat such as shredded chicken or turkey.

You can add leftover cucumber and onion salad to a leafy green salad to avoid wasting any food! But keep in mind that leftover salad won’t last long because the cucumbers and onions will become more watery over time.

This salad is tastiest when slightly chilled, but you can also serve it right away at room temperature. 

To make a creamy cucumber salad, simply combine sour cream, lemon juice, or plain Greek yogurt with the tart vinegar marinade. Additionally, you can add cherry tomatoes to create a cucumber tomato salad.

To make a low-carb version, you can skip the sugar or use a sugar replacement like erythritol or stevia in the marinade. If you prefer a sweeter brine, add more tablespoons of sweetener.

What to Serve with Cucumber and Onion Salad

You can enjoy this cucumber and onion salad with grilled steak, seafood, or roasted veggies. It also serves as a fantastic side dish for any casserole recipe.

Grilled steak slices served with fresh salad
Grilled steak slices served with fresh salad

Try the following main dishes with this crisp summer salad.

Chicken Tenderloins

Grilled Sirloin Steak 

Pork Steak

Turkey Cutlets

For a fully refreshing and satisfying meal, pair this low-carb salad with this keto lemonade or one of these low-carb smoothies

How to Store Creamy Cucumber Salad

Because the cucumbers are soaked in vinegar, it’s best not to store them in the fridge for more than three days. This way, the salad will maintain its crispy texture.

For better flavor, let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes before serving, or store it in the fridge until ready to enjoy.

More Low-Carb Salad Recipes

Keto broccoli salad with bacon strips
Keto broccoli salad with bacon strips

You can also try the following side salads:

Keto Potato Salad 

Keto Broccoli Salad 

Big Mac Salad 

Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

Cabbage and Cucumber Salad

Cucumber and Strawberry Salad

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best cucumbers for salads?

Long English cucumbers are ideal for salads. They have a firm bite and thin, delicate skin that is easily digested. They can be quickly peeled and enjoyed as a snack. Cucumbers are excellent for salads and much more!

Do you have to peel cucumbers?

When making this refreshing salad, you don’t have to peel the cucumbers. The thin skin adds crunch and dietary fiber for a healthier digestive system. Embrace the whole cucumber for extra texture and nutrition in your salad!

How do you keep cucumber salad from getting soggy?

Adding salt to cucumber slices helps the fruit retain moisture through osmosis. The salt absorbs water from the cucumbers, resulting in slightly drier slices with more concentrated flavors. This helps avoid the wateriness in the dish.

How long do cucumbers in vinegar last in the fridge?

Cucumbers can be stored in vinegar for approximately a week. However, if they become slimy, it is advisable not to consume them.

Final Thoughts

This recipe is a flavorful and healthy exploration of culinary delight. As you enjoy the freshness and magic of our ultimate recipe, remember that this salad not only tantalizes your taste buds but also nourishes your body. 

Its low-carb nature makes it a fantastic choice for those watching their carbohydrate intake, while the combination of cucumbers and onions brings a variety of health benefits to the table.

Whether you want a refreshing side dish, a hydrating snack, or a nutrient-packed addition to your meals, this salad is a versatile and delicious option.

Enjoy the refreshing crunch of every bite and let the simplicity and culinary charm of cucumber and onion salad continue to grace your table. Here’s to vibrant health and culinary satisfaction!