7 Cool, Refreshing Cucumber Salad Recipes

May 24, 2024

Cucumbers are crisp and refreshing all year, but they’re especially good in warm weather. That’s because, with a 96% water content, they actually can help hydrate you. Plus, with their light, subtle taste, cucumbers are chameleons; you can pair them with many different flavors and they always fit right in. That’s why it’s good to have a full collection of cucumber salad recipes — so you can match those cukes with whatever you’re craving in the moment.

You asked: Should I peel cucumber for salad?

It depends on the type of cucumber you use. English and Persian cucumbers have thin skins, so you don’t need to peel them. Common cucumbers, also known as American slicing cucumbers, tend to have thicker skin. Plus, the skin on common cucumbers is sometimes covered with a thin coating of wax, so you may be more inclined to peel those.

Here are 7 refreshing, delicious, healthy cucumber salad recipes.

1. Classic Cucumber Salad

With cucumbers, red onion, a zippy vinaigrette, and some fresh dill, this is a light, simple salad that goes well with just about any main dish. If raw red onion is too sharp for you, make the vinaigrette, add the sliced red onion, and let it sit for 30 minutes (or longer) to soften the bite, then proceed with the recipe.

Try this recipe from Love and Lemons.

2. Greek Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad

This Greek-inspired salad is bursting with Mediterranean flavors. Featuring cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, feta, and fresh parsley, it’s delicious on its own, or as a base for grilled chicken, shrimp, steak, or another protein.

Try this recipe from Erin Lives Whole.

3. Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad

Chili crisp adds a good amount of heat to this show-stopping salad, which also has soy sauce, sesame oil, and sliced shallot. You smash the cucumber, salt it, then drain the water, leaving you with highly seasoned vegetables that then soak up the flavorful dressing.

Try this recipe from RecipeTin Eats.

4. Creamy Cucumber Salad

Sour cream and lemon juice give this spin on cucumber salad plenty of tanginess, while dill and a touch of sugar balance things out. Swap Greek yogurt for some or all of the sour cream for more protein, and drizzle in a bit of honey instead of the sugar, if you prefer.

Try this recipe from Budget Bytes.

5. Minted Cucumber Salad

We often see parsley and dill combined with cucumber — but their cousin, mint, deserves a seat at the table, too. A few extra steps — salting the cucumbers to draw out the water and tempering the red onion in a bowl of ice water — are worth it for the end result, which is a fresh-tasting, well balanced salad.

Try this recipe from Once Upon a Chef.

6. Japanese Cucumber Salad

You may see this traditional Japanese cucumber salad, known as sunomono, on restaurant menus, but it’s easy to make at home. With rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and a touch of sugar, this salad is light and delicate, a perfect accompaniment to bold-flavored entrees.

Try this recipe from Hungry Huy.

7. Cucumber Mango Salad

As far as cucumber salad recipes go, here’s a unique one that’s super refreshing. With mango, cucumber, and a light Asian-inspired dressing, it has an unexpected combination that will keep you coming back for more. Mango is also a good source of vitamins C and A.

Try this recipe from Sweet and Savory by Shinee.