Cucumber Onion Salad Recipe

This refreshing cucumber and onion salad recipe is filled with bright tangy flavors and is easy to make in less than 20 minutes. Cucumber salad with onion slices is made with a homemade Italian dressing consisting of white wine vinegar, olive oil, honey, and garlic–you will love it!

Similar to my creamy cucumber salad. You will love it.

Why This Recipe is the Best

You will love this recipe for your next celebration or dinner at home because it is so flavorful and fresh! Here are some other reasons why these cucumbers with onion are the best:

• Quick and easy: This cucumber and onion salad recipe will come together in no time! Just prepare all of the ingredients, toss to combine, and serve. It’s that easy!
• Fresh and tasty: The crispy fresh cucumbers add plenty of texture while the red onions provide tangy elements–the best of both worlds! The dressing is slightly sweet so it balances out all of the savory flavors.
• Healthy and gluten-free: Cucumbers are high in vitamins and fiber and great for cooling down on a hot day. The dressing is completely made from scratch so there are no extra additives.
• Vegetarian: Totally plant-based, this cucumber salad recipe is made with bright veggies and will satisfy the salad lovers in your life. To make this recipe vegan, simply omit the honey and use maple syrup instead.
• Versatile: Garnish this salad with your favorite herbs such as dill or parsley or feta cheese. You can enjoy this salad as a side dish or just your main feast for lunch.

Ingredients for Cucumber Salad With Onion

🥒 Cucumbers: I use English cucumbers here because they are crisp and the perfect base for the cucumber salad. Persian cucumbers will also be will fine for this easy salad recipe.
🧅 Red onions: Freshly sliced red onion is robust and balances out the neutral flavors of the cucumbers. The onion absorbs the savory Italian dressing and really highlights the recipe.

Italian Dressing

Extra virgin olive oil: I recommend using extra virgin olive oil for the best aromatic flavors. Olive oil is rich with diverse flavors and allows this salad to stand out even more.
White wine vinegar: Tangy white wine vinegar is used for the salad dressing and gives the cucumbers and onions slightly acidic flavors that are balanced with the rest of the ingredients.
🍯 Honey: Sweet honey provides a subtle sweetness to the Italian dressing and rounds out the tangy flavors.
Oregano: Dried oregano is a fragrant herb that provides plenty of flavor to the dressing. Dried oregano can be found in most spice aisles in grocery stores.
🧄 Garlic: Fresh garlic provides an extra layer of flavor to the dressing and makes it extra savory.
Salt and pepper: Kosher sea salt and pepper are used to season the dressing until perfect. Use as little or much as you would like.

How to Make Cucumber Onion Salad

First, wash and prepare the cucumbers and onion. Next, thinly slice the cucumbers as well as the red onion. Set the veggies aside until ready to use.

Meanwhile, add the extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, sweet honey, dried oregano, freshly minced garlic, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Whisk everything with a whisk or fork until blended.

You can also use an emulsifier for blending the Italian salad dressing.

Place the cucumbers and red onion into the bowl with the dressing. Next, lightly toss the ingredients until combined. Be sure to coat the entire cucumber and onion slices.

Serve the salad immediately or place it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Red onions have the best flavors for this recipe, but white onions will work, too.
• You can use apple cider vinegar in place of the white wine vinegar.
• Maple syrup can be used in place of honey.
• Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
• You can use Persian or regular cucumbers if you do not have access to English cucumbers.

What to Serve With Cucumber Salad

Here are some of our favorite main courses to pair with this fresh salad. There are so many options; here are our top picks:

• Lemon Dill Salmon Skewers
• Sheet Pan Steak
• Grilled Steak With Pineapple Salsa
• Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Burger
• Vegan Black Bean Burgers
• Spinach and Feta Cheese Turkey Burgers

You can also serve this salad with all sorts of side dishes, too, like roasted veggies like parmesan baked asparagus, potatoes like crispy smashed potatoes, etc. The list is endless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Recipes You Will Enjoy

If you’re in the mood for some more fresh salads, then you will love these recipes for your next BBQ cookout and casual celebration:

• Easy Fruit Salad Recipe
• Asian Cucumber Salad
• Italian Pasta Salad
• Healthy Homemade Coleslaw Salad
• Cucumber Avocado Feta Salad
• Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad