Old Fashioned Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar (Family Recipe)
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Jump to Recipe Watch VideoThis Old Fashioned Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar dish is an old family recipe, and our go-to summer salad for BBQs, potlucks, and parties in the summer. It’s bright, fresh, and loaded with fresh herbs and flavor.
A great recipe for garden cucumber and homegrown herbs! Whether you have extra cucumbers from the garden, or just stocked up from a sale at the store – this is one recipe you’ll make again & again!
Want more cucumber recipes? Try our creamy cucumber pasta salad, easy pail pickles, or a pineapple cucumber smoothie!
This tangy cucumber and onion salad has always been one of my favorite summer dishes growing up! So many great memories of my dad making a big bowl while we ate with the windows open in the kitchen. And to this day, I’ve had the pleasure of introducing it to my husband and friends (who also love it).
Its sweet and tangy, super light and delicious, and a great way to use extra cucumbers from the garden and the store. The great thing about this recipe too is that is stores really well and leftovers always taste better. I actually like to make this a day or two ahead of time, so all the flavors marinate in the cucumbers.
This Old Fashioned Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar Recipe Is:
- Bright
- Fresh
- Sweet
- Herby
- Loaded with Flavor
- Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten Free
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cucumbers – you can use any variety you prefer, my family uses Kirby cucumbers which are traditional pickles.
- Granulated Sugar – for a little sweetness. You can also substitute a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup instead if desired.
- Fresh Dill
- Rice vinegar: I love this sweet & tangy rice vinegar, I always keep seasoned vinegar stocked in my pantry for dressings and salads.
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!
Recipe Variations and Additions
- Instead of using garlic powder, you can use chopped fresh garlic, if desired.
- If you don’t have fresh dill, you can use dried dill in a pinch.
- For a spicier cucumber salad, you can add 1/2 teaspoon chili pepper flakes.
- If you want to give this salad an Asian flavor, add 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil to the salad, and 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce.
Easily Grow Fresh Dill & Herbs All Year Long
We got this great countertop Aerogarden which is fantastic for growing herbs in the winter. We actually got it when we lived in a smaller apartment, but even now that we own an acreage we still use it year-round!
I love growing herbs on my countertop like fresh basil, dill, mint, sage, thyme, parsley, and lemon balm – perfect for this cucumber salad. It uses LED lights and water, so no messy soil needed – you can have fresh herbs at your fingertips any time.
I love picking a few springs of parsley to chop on pastas, adding basil leaves to soups, and tossing some dill in with my pasta salads. It also makes a great gift for anyone who would like fresh herbs… no big kitchen or green thumb required!
How To Make This Recipe
Step 1: Wash the cucumbers, peel if desired. Thinly slice the cucumbers. Place them in a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Thinly slice the red onions, and place them in a large bowl with the sliced cucumber.
Step 3: Add in the fresh dill.
Step 4: To the bowl, add the sugar and garlic powder.
Step 5: Pour in the rice vinegar, and mix well to combine all the ingredients together.
Step 6: Refrigerate for a few hours, or overnight if you can. Remove cucumber salad from the fridge an hour or two before serving, so the oil incorporates well into the salad.
Recipe FAQs
This easy cucumber salad is tangy, a little sweet, and herby from the fresh dill. The rice vinegar dressing is a little sweet, similar to a light pickle brine.
There are roughly 120 calories per 1-cup serving of this cucumber salad. See the recipe card below for full nutrition information.
Store leftover cucumber salad in an airtight contaner and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
More Simple Summer Salad Ideas
- Macaroni Salad with Greek Yogurt Recipe
- Pomegranate Pasta Salad
- Avocado Black Bean Salad Recipe
- Thai Quinoa Salad with Peanut Sauce Recipe
- California Spaghetti Salad
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If you made this recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
Old Fashioned Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar
Ingredients
- 4 cucumbers roughly 1 lb (recipe says preferably Kirbys)
- 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped dill
- 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/3 teaspoon Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- Peel (if desired) and thinly slice the cucumbers. Place them in a large bowl. Add the red onions, and mix well.
- To the bowl, add the vinegar, sugar, olive oil, salt and pepper, and the fresh dill. Mix well to combine all ingredients together.
- Cover, and refrigerate for a 2-3 hours, or overnight if you can. Remove cucumber salad from the fridge an hour or two before serving, so the oil incorporates well into the salad.
Video
Notes
Recipe Variations and Additions
- Instead of using garlic powder, you can use chopped fresh garlic, if desired.
- If you don’t have fresh dill, you can use dried dill in a pinch.
- For a spicier cucumber salad, you can add 1/2 teaspoon chili pepper flakes.
- If you want to give this salad an Asian flavor, add 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil to the salad, and 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce.
Nutrition
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I could eat these every day
Love it
That sounds excellent! We make a cucumber salad with Italian dressing and thinly sliced red onion, but this sounds even better.
I’ve done that. The recipe above was how my grandmother (WWII era) made cucumber salad – made it with other veggies, too! Yum!