Old Fashioned Cucumber Onion Vinegar Salad
This classic old fashioned cucumber onion vinegar salad recipe is sweet, tangy, refreshing, and crispy all packed in to one easy salad. This easy recipe combines crisp cucumbers and tangy onions in a simple yet satisfying vinegar-based dressing.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Refreshing and Light: The combination of cucumbers and onions creates a refreshing crunch that’s perfect for hot summer days.
- Tangy and Flavorful: The vinegar dressing adds a delightful tanginess to this simple cucumber salad.
- Quick and Easy: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep work, you can whip up this salad in no time, making it a convenient choice for busy individuals seeking a fuss-free recipe.
One of our favorite ways to serve Old-Fashioned cucumbers is with pork chops. It’s a great side dish that goes with another family favorite, our pork chops in mushroom soup recipe. Pan fried pork chops and thick cut pork chops are 2 more great options.
Ingredients
Fresh cucumbers: Thinly sliced, about 1/4 inch thick. We typically peel our cucumbers, but feel free to leave the cucumber peels on if they aren’t too thick. Persian and English cucumbers have thinner skins. I have also peeled them partially in a striped fashion for a festive look.
Yellow onion: The most common variety with a nice balance of astringent and sweet taste.
Kosher salt: Extracts water from the cucumbers and makes them crunchy.
White vinegar: Adds just a nice amount of tanginess.
Granulated sugar: Balances acidity and adds a touch of sweetness.
Exact ingredient measurements are included in the recipe card below.
Variations
- Use a different type of cucumber: If you like fewer seeds, English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers are a great choice. Even with the garden cucumber, there are many varieties to try.
- Swap the traditional yellow onions for red onions, white onion, or a sweet onion such as a Vidalia onion.
- Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs such as fresh dill, parsley or fresh basil to the top of the salad.a
- In place of the white vinegar, use apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or rice vinegar.
- For a creamy cucumber salad, add sour cream.
How to Make Old Fashioned Cucumbers
- Peel and slice cucumbers into thin slices using a sharp knife. Slice and separate onion rings.
- Combine fresh cucumber slices and onion rings in a colander.
- Sprinkle kosher salt over cucumbers and onions, mixing well. Place the colander over a large bowl. Let stand for 1 hour and up to 3 hours. (See Tips)
- In a glass measuring cup, combine vinegar, white sugar, and water until the sugar dissolves. Chill the mixture.
- Drain excess liquid from cucumbers and onions. Stir vinegar mixture and pour over cucumbers, ensuring even distribution.
- Cover and refrigerate cucumber salad until chilled.
- Salting the cucumbers is very important for their crispiness and releasing moisture.
- Cooks Illustrated suggests weighing down the cucumbers. Fill a food safe gallon bag with water and seal tightly. Place the bag on top of the cucumbers in the colander. The weight helps them get even crispier.
Storing
This easy cucumber onion salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s a great recipe to make ahead and bring to potlucks or picnics.
FAQs
Do you need to salt cucumbers for cucumber onion vinegar salad?
Yes. Salting the cucumbers first helps pull out extra moisture so the salad stays crisper and less watery. In your recipe, the cucumbers and onions sit with kosher salt for 1 to 3 hours before the dressing goes on.
Why is my cucumber onion vinegar salad watery?
Cucumber onion vinegar salad gets watery when the cucumbers release moisture into the dressing after slicing. Salting and draining the cucumbers first is the easiest way to keep the salad crisp and the vinegar mixture from getting diluted.
What vinegar is best for cucumber onion vinegar salad?
White vinegar is the classic choice for old-fashioned cucumber onion vinegar salad because it gives the cleanest tangy flavor. If you want a milder variation, apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or rice vinegar can also work.
How long does cucumber onion vinegar salad last in the fridge?
Cucumber onion vinegar salad keeps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It is best while the cucumbers still have some crunch, so the texture is usually at its best in the first couple of days.
Do you need to peel cucumbers for cucumber onion salad?
No. You can peel them or leave the skins on, depending on the cucumber and the texture you want. Thin-skinned cucumbers like English or Persian cucumbers are good choices when you want fewer seeds and a more tender bite.
Old Fashioned Cucumber Onion and Vinegar Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cucumbers
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- ⅓ cup white vinegar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup water
Instructions
- Peel the cucumbers, if desired. Cut the cucumber into thin slices and place in a colander. Peel the onion and cut it into thin slices. Separate the rings of the onion and put them in the colander with the cucumbers.
- Sprinkle the salt over the cucumbers and onions. Mix well. Place colander over a large bowl. Let stand for at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.
- Meanwhile in a glass measuring cup, add the sugar, vinegar, and water. Stir well until the sugar dissolves. Place the mixture in the refrigerator.
- Drain the liquids from the cucumbers. Remove the vinegar mixture from the refrigerator and stir. Pour the mixture over the cucumbers and onions, stirring to combine.
- Cover and place the cucumber salad in the refrigerator until chilled.
