This simple and inexpensive Cucumber Onion Salad Recipe is simply fabulous! The flavor is amazing but it is just so easy to prepare.
Bring this dish to your next potluck, cookout or family gathering for a side dish everyone will love.
We are addicted to Cucumber Onion Salad Recipe!
Lately cucumbers have been really cheap. My husband’s grandma used to make him cucumber and onions and since she has passed he has continued asking me to make him some.
I had no idea what he was talking about, so finally I gave it a try. I just love the flavor and I finally understand why my husband loves it so much. 😉
This salad is perfect for any BBQ, family gathering, or for a summer snack. Really… we keep this in our fridge all the time when I can get cucumbers cheap.
It is so good that everyone gobbles it up quickly. I love that it is healthy and delicious!
Tip for cucumber onion salad:
To make your life easy, make sure you buy a mandoline slicer (if you don’t have one yet). We just LOVE ours and it makes slicing cucumbers and onions a breeze.
I can slice them all in half the time with my slicer. You definitely want one of these!
How long can you store cucumber salad?
It will stay good in the refrigerator for at least a week. I know it is really simple, but if you love cucumbers, you will love this easy salad.
Oh and yes… we have been guilty of eating it directly out of the fridge.
Our salad never lasts that long around here because even my kids go crazy over this salad. We all love it so much that we snack on it all week!
What can I do with extra cucumbers from my garden?
This recipe is one of our favorite ways to use up extra cucumbers from the garden or when we can get them cheap at the store. It is so easy and cheap to make.
You can’t go wrong with this recipe.
We also like tomato cucumber onion salad apple cider vinegar variation.
Just add tomatoes to the recipe and you have a gorgeous burst of color and even more flavor. You can add the tomatoes to the recipe as is or try also substituting apple cider vinegar for the white vinegar.
This so delicious and we often just use what is in season or on sale at the grocery store. This is a great way to help your budget and it will still turn out perfectly.
Both options are awesome. Just use what you have.
I am all about using what is on sale at the grocery store or that I already have in the freezer. I cut our grocery bill by 50% off by following these 8 Tips for for Saving Money on Groceries by Menu Planning! Save that money for something else or to give you family wiggle room in the budget.
What do you need to make cucumber and onion salad:
- cucumbers
- onion
- white vinegar
- sugar
How to make Grandma’s cucumber and onion salad:
Peel and slice the cucumbers really thin. This is when the mandoline slicer comes in handy.
Next, slice the onions really thin.
I like to use a container with lid to mix the vinegar, sugar and water. It is so easy to just add the cucumbers and onions and then just use it to store the salad in.
You have less mess and less clean up!
Put your salad in the fridge and leave it for a few hours before eating.
It is so good! Keep reading for the full recipe.
Try this old fashioned cucumbers and onions in vinegar!
I love that something so simple is so delicious. Not only is this recipe so easy to make but it is so inexpensive as well.
Our entire family loves it and it is always a hit wherever I bring it. I have added tomatoes and even left off the onions because I was out and it was still amazing.
I don’t think I have ever had a variety of this salad I didn’t like. It really is so versatile and so good however you make it.
Serve this cucumber onion salad recipe any day of the week!
This goes really well grilled chicken. We just love it!
Make it your own and try fresh dill or even add sour cream to make a creamy cucumber onion salad.
Try sweet onion or red onion for a change. They all go so well with the cucumber slices and vinegar sugar mixture.
You can also try wine vinegar with the cucumber tomato salad. We have used regular cucumber or English cucumber and it was amazing.
Seriously, you can’t go wrong with this!
Print this cucumber onion salad recipe below:
You just have to try this easy Cucumber Onion Salad Recipe next time you find cucumbers on sale. This easy salad recipe is perfect for a summer BBQ or a snack.
- 2 - 3 cucumbers
- 1 onion
- 1 cup vinegar (white or apple cider)
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar (I have even done as low as 1/8 cup)
-
Peel and slice the cucumbers (I like them thinly sliced)
-
Slice the onions.
-
In a container (with a lid) combine the water, vinegar, and sugar.
-
Stir until combined.
-
Add in the cucumbers and onions. Place lid on top and shake.
-
Place in the refrigerator and let it cool for at least a few hours before eating.
-
Eat with a fork... or your fingers!
This simple and inexpensive salad is simply fabulous!
Make this easy Snicker Apple Salad with hardly any effort at all but everyone will go crazy over this dish.
Learn how to make homemade croutons in minutes.
Easy ramen noodle salad recipe comes together in minutes for a crispy and flavor packed salad.
Find more easy Salad Recipes below:
- Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe
- Crock Pot Taco Salad Recipe
- Classic Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
- Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
- Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Easy Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe
- Creamy Bacon, Tomato, Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe
- Easy Creamy Greek Salad Recipe
- Caesar Salad Dressing recipe
- Roasted Tomato and Mozzarella Salad
Emily says
If you put the cucumbers and onions slightly ed in a bowl and salt them for a few hours first then rinse and drain. It seems to keep them crisp longer.
Minnie(@thelady8home) says
This looks so awesom, I am sure even I am going to turn addict hahaha. Fabulous share!!!!
Brittney Musgrave says
I was introduced to this through my husband’s family as well. Adding roughly diced green peppers is also yummy!
Joy says
my husbands family makes these around the holidays every year. Love them! I’m just the only one that would eat it at my house lol so I’ve never made it!
Maureen says
Try microwaving the liquid first to a boil, gives it a different texture
Dale Noll says
I make this using red onions. Like their taste better and it’s pretty
jeanie says
how much sugar and vinegar do you use
Heather Hoffman says
My Grandma always made these by the gallon, because it wouldn’t last long with our family 🙂 She also salted cukes and let sit a bit and then rinsed and drained. Added onions, and sometimes gr. peppers and celery seed. Brought liquid to a beginning roll after sugar is dissolved and then poured over the veggies and then the fridge to cool. The longer they sat the better they were 🙂
Ann Jones says
Can you use sugar substitut?
Jan says
How long will the cucumber/onion salad keep in the refrigerator?
Debbie Boles says
I love Aldis and I love Cucumbers
Debbie Boles says
Can’t wait to try this
Sparkkell says
My mother was from Berlin, we made this all the time but no water added. Skip adding water, you will get that from the cuc’s already. She and my G-Aunt Freda would Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt & sprinkle of dill. Cut back on the vinegar to 1/4-1/2 cup and 1Tsp sugar. Pinch Salt & fresh cracked pepper.
Jo says
Just had this at my moms last Sunday. She used basaltic vinigar and it was delish- no sugar
SUE WHIDBY says
THE CUCUMBER AND ONIONS WAS AWESOME MY FAMILY REALLY ENJOYED THEM YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
josephine hamby says
I have been making this for years i put italian dressing on it so good !!
Diedre says
I use to make the cucumber and onion salad only just cut the onions and cucumbers salt and pepper with Hellman’s mayonnaise delicious
SaraQ says
I have made this for many years but being a Type 1 diabetic, I learned to mix several packets of sweetener with the water and vinegar and let cukes sit in that. Love this and you can always top it with a bit of italian or ranch dressing too.
Teresa says
Mother’s family used to make this without the sugar & added tomatoes. DELICIOUS !!!! She & my aunts also made it this way too. Haven’t made this is a long time since she died over 7 years ago & no one eats it but me now but made some yesterday & had to make more today. 🙂 Thanks for such sweet memories.
Patty says
My grandma used to make something similar to these and freezed them in cool whip containers. They would last a pretty long time. Well until we ate them all, just take out and let them thaw for a while if needed.
Dennis White. says
I`ve been growing Cucumbers for years,point is,I get too many,I give a hell of a lot of them away,the rest go to waste.
Miles says
Have made this recipe three times since I read it two weeks ago. This stuff is great! I added a little celery seed (following the advice of a friend whose mother made it that way) but do not really notice any added flavor. Perhaps I did not use enough. I will probably experiment (add tomatoes) but it is delicious just as listed in the recipe. I have used the same water/vinegar, sugar mixture three times — when I’m starting to run out, I just add more cukes and onion.
Kelly says
This has been a family summer staple of ours since I was a child. We always included tomatoes cut in wedges and some salt & pepper.
Polly says
I have made this most of my life. I don’t use any sugar because the sugar doesn’t taste good to me. Once got a hold of some with sugar and it was gross. Just vinegar salt and a little pepper is all you need.
Randy says
If you add tomatoes and use cucumber ranch dressing it makes it better I been making it for my kids and they love it
Carrie says
Great idea. Thanks for sharing Randy!
Michelle says
My grandma was making this as long back as I can remember the recipe with sugar love it!!! She’s been gone for several years & I haven’t even thought about making it!!! Thanks for the memory making recipe soon!!!
Carrie says
You’re welcome Michelle! Thank you so much for sharing.