Crisp cucumber and onion salad is tossed in a bright vinegar dressing for a cool and crunchy, tangy and sweet side dish that gets even better as it chills.

bowl of Cucumber and Onion Salad

Holly’s Recipe Highlights

  • Flavor: Sweet cukes and sharp onions perfectly contrast with the snappy vinaigrette.
  • Prep Note: Slice cucumbers and onions thinly for the best texture, and let the salad sit for at least an hour to develop flavor.
  • Time-Saving Tip: Prepare and refrigerate ahead of time for an easy make ahead snack or side dish.
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve with grilled meats or as a light lunch with keto bread or crackers. Turn it into a main by adding bay shrimp, shredded chicken, diced ham, or bacon bits. 

Pick Your Perfect Ingredients

  • Cucumber: Fresh cucumbers are firm and slightly sweet. English cucumbers are preferred to field cucumbers for this recipe because of their thin skins and fewer seeds.
  • Onion: White onions are perfect for this recipe because of their sweet flavor, but any such as Vidalia, yellow, or even red onions will work.
  • Vinaigrette: Tangy white wine vinegar, or even rice vinegar, adds a bright and clean taste while vegetable oil keeps the flavor light. Sweetener smooths out the sharpness of vinegar for a more balanced vinaigrette. Start with a small amount of sweetener and add more to taste.

Variations

  • For a pop of color, add some halved cherry or grape tomatoes, chopped sundried tomatoes, or diced avocados. Finely chopped black olives, jalapenos, or crushed red pepper flakes add zesty flavor.
  • Olive oil can be used for a deeper flavor, and swap apple cider vinegar for a fruitier tang or white vinegar for a sharper, more classic bite.
  • I love adding a bit of fresh dill to bring out that classic cucumber salad flavor.

How to Make Cucumber and Onion Salad

  1. Cut cucumbers and onions and place them in a large bowl.
  2. Whisk remaining ingredients in a small bowl (full recipe below).
  3. Pour dressing over cucumbers and onions and mix to combine.
  4. Refrigerate before serving.

Holly’s Salad Secrets

  • Use a mandoline to slice the white onions uber-thin so their flavor doesn’t overpower the salad.
  • For milder-tasting onions, soak them in cold water for 10 minutes, then rinse.
  • This recipe tastes best when it’s extra chilled. You can make it up to a day ahead and keep it covered until ready to enjoy.
  • Double the dressing and use it as a marinade or on other salads all week. It will settle so give it a quick stir before serving.
A bowl of cucumber and onion salad.

Leftovers You’ll Love

  • Store this easy cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It is most crisp if used in the first day or two.

Fresh Crunchy Sides

Did you enjoy this Cucumber and Onion Salad recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.

close up of Cucumber and Onion Salad
5 from 45 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Cucumber and Onion Salad

Crisp cucumbers and thin-sliced onion tossed in a white wine vinegar dressing with a light hint of sweetness.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Refrigerate 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Author Holly

Equipment

Mandoline (recommended)

Ingredients  

  • 2 English cucumbers thinly sliced
  • ½ white onion thinly sliced
  • cup white wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
  • 3 teaspoons sweetener Swerve or another granulated sweetener
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • teaspoon pepper

Instructions 

  • Wash cucumbers and pat dry. Slice cucumber and onion, then place in a large bowl.
  • Stir together white wine vinegar, water, vegetable oil, sweetener, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  • Pour dressing over cucumber and onions and mix until coated.
  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

  • Make this salad ahead of time and take it along for a light lunch.
  • Mix the dressing until the sweetener dissolves or it could be grainy.
  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • Double the vinaigrette recipe and store it in the refrigerator to use in other salads or as a marinade for meat dishes.
5 from 45 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 101mg | Potassium: 166mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American

REPIN this Cucumber and Onion Salad recipe

Cucumber and Onion Salad in a bowl with writing
low carb Cucumber and Onion Salad salad
bowl of Cucumber and Onion Salad and close up photo with a title

Categories:

, , , ,

Recipes you'll love

About the author

At Easy Low Carb® we believe that every meal should be full of big bold flavor! From amazing main dishes and simple sides to the best party snacks, reducing carbs doesn’t mean giving up your favorites!
See more posts by Holly

5 from 45 votes (44 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. No need for water in dressing, as enough water will come out of cucumber when sliced thinly.

    1. I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure Pam. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out!