The Best Homemade Vinegar Cucumber Salad Recipe with Fresh Dill – Just Like Grandma Used to Make!
There are some recipes that just instantly transport you back in time, evoking cherished memories of family gatherings and delicious home-cooked meals. This **classic cucumber salad** is precisely one of those dishes. It’s made with a simple, homemade vinegar dressing and an abundance of fresh dill, capturing the exact taste and comforting feel of the **cucumber salad your grandma used to make!**
While cucumbers often make us think of savory delights like gyros and tzatziki salad, they are incredibly versatile. This particular salad offers a wonderfully refreshing counterpoint to richer meals or stands perfectly on its own as a light, flavorful side. Its crisp texture and tangy-sweet dressing make it an absolute favorite, especially during warmer months.
Why This Classic Cucumber Salad Recipe is a Timeless Favorite
I distinctly remember my aunt bringing a large bowl of this vibrant cucumber salad to every holiday gathering when I was a child. The adults would eagerly dig in, and I, being a typical picky eater, couldn’t quite grasp what all the excitement was about. Little kids aren’t usually big fans of simple, fresh vegetable dishes, after all.
RELATED: You might also like this comforting Nana’s Macaroni Salad.
However, as I entered elementary school, my curiosity finally got the better of me. I decided to try the famous cucumber salad that garnered so much praise from the grown-ups. From that day forward, I was completely hooked! The perfectly thin-sliced cucumbers, the irresistible balance of sweet and tangy in the homemade vinegar and sugar dressing, and, of course, the aromatic fresh dill, often picked directly from the garden – it was a revelation. It quickly became one of my most anticipated dishes at any family meal, a true symbol of summer and tradition.
Crafting the Perfect Homemade Cucumber Salad
Making this **refreshing vinegar cucumber salad** is surprisingly simple, requiring just a few key ingredients and a couple of important steps to ensure the best flavor and texture. The beauty lies in its simplicity, allowing the fresh ingredients to truly shine.
Choosing Your Cucumbers Wisely
For this particular recipe, I highly recommend using **English cucumbers**. They are typically longer, have fewer and smaller seeds, and boast a thinner skin, which means you don’t need to peel them. This makes preparation a breeze and preserves valuable nutrients found in the skin. If English cucumbers aren’t available, you can certainly use regular cucumbers, but plan on using four instead of three. If using regular cucumbers, you might also want to scoop out any larger seeds before slicing for a better texture.
Regardless of the type, **slicing the cucumbers nice and thin** is crucial. This ensures they are easy to eat, become beautifully tender, and absorb the flavorful dressing quickly and evenly. A mandoline slicer can achieve perfectly uniform, paper-thin slices, but a sharp paring knife and a steady hand work just as well.
The Secret to the Best Vinegar Dressing
The dressing is the heart of this cucumber salad, offering that delightful balance of sweet and tangy. Our favorite choice for the dressing is **white wine vinegar**. It possesses a milder, more nuanced flavor compared to regular distilled white vinegar, which can sometimes be a bit harsh. It’s also less sweet than apple cider vinegar, which is perfect since we’re adding a specific amount of sugar to achieve that ideal sweet-tangy harmony. This ensures the dressing complements the fresh cucumbers without overpowering them.
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Honestly, crafting this salad couldn’t be simpler. Beyond the cucumbers, our dressing and seasoning consist of only five additional ingredients: white wine vinegar, sugar, fresh dill, white pepper, and salt. Two of these are basic seasonings, making this a truly minimalist yet maximum-flavor recipe.
Ingredients for Your Refreshing Cucumber Salad
Gathering just a few fresh ingredients is all it takes to create this delicious, vibrant salad:
- 3 English cucumbers (or 4 regular cucumbers if English are unavailable)
- 3 teaspoons salt, divided (crucial for drawing out moisture!)
- 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill (don’t skimp on the fresh flavor!)
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Helpful Kitchen Tools
These tools will make your cucumber salad preparation even smoother:
- Paring knife (or a mandoline slicer for ultra-thin slices)
- Cutting board
- Large mixing bowl
- Colander
- Veggie wash (or mild dish soap)
Step-by-Step: How to Make This Amazing Vinegar Cucumber Salad
- First, thoroughly wash the outer skins of your cucumbers with a veggie wash or mild dish soap and rinse well under cold water.
- Use a sharp paring knife to cut off the ends of each cucumber. Remember, there’s no need to peel them – the skin contains valuable nutrients and adds a nice texture. Plus, you’ll be cutting them thin enough that you won’t even notice the skin. Proceed to cut the cucumbers into uniform, paper-thin slices.
- **The Crucial Salting Step:** In a large bowl, combine the thinly sliced cucumbers with 2 teaspoons of salt. Mix them thoroughly to ensure the salt is evenly distributed. Let the salted cucumbers sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour. **Do not skip this step!** Salting the cucumbers is essential as it draws out a significant amount of their natural liquid. This process prevents your salad from becoming watery and diluted, ensuring the dressing’s full flavor can truly permeate the cucumbers and making for a perfectly crisp, flavorful salad.
- After an hour, you’ll notice a good amount of liquid at the bottom of the bowl. Drain this excess liquid from the cucumbers using a colander. Gently press down on the cucumbers to extract as much moisture as possible, but avoid squeezing too hard, which can bruise them.
- In a separate medium bowl, prepare the dressing. Whisk together the white wine vinegar, sugar, chopped fresh dill, white pepper, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt until the sugar is dissolved and the ingredients are well combined.
- Pour the freshly made vinegar dressing over the drained cucumbers. Mix everything thoroughly, gently tossing to ensure all the cucumber slices are evenly coated with the vibrant dressing.
- For the best results and to allow the flavors to truly meld and develop, cover the cucumber salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 3 hours before serving. This chilling time is vital for the cucumbers to fully absorb the dressing and become infused with its delicious taste.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cucumber Salad
Q: Can I use different types of vinegar?
A: While white wine vinegar is our preferred choice for its milder flavor, you can experiment. Distilled white vinegar will give a sharper, tangier taste. Apple cider vinegar will be sweeter and have a fruity note. Adjust the sugar content slightly if you opt for a different vinegar based on your preference.
Q: Is the salting step truly necessary?
A: Yes, absolutely! We cannot emphasize enough how important the salting step is. Cucumbers are primarily water, and without salting, they will release their liquid into the dressing, making your salad watery and diluting the flavors. Salting draws out this excess moisture, resulting in a crispier, more flavorful salad that holds up better in the fridge.
Q: How long does this cucumber salad last in the refrigerator?
A: When properly prepared with the salting step, this cucumber salad can last for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors will continue to meld and deepen over time, often tasting even better the next day!
Q: Can I add other vegetables to this salad?
A: While the classic recipe is wonderfully simple, you can certainly customize it! Thinly sliced red onion adds a nice bite and color. Cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or even a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese can be delicious additions for extra flavor and texture. Just remember to add these when tossing with the dressing.
Q: What if I don’t have fresh dill?
A: Fresh dill offers the best flavor for this salad, but if you’re in a pinch, you can use dried dill. As a general rule, use about one-third the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh. So, for 2 tablespoons of fresh dill, use about 2 teaspoons of dried dill. The flavor won’t be as vibrant, but it will still be tasty.
For the Love of Cucumbers: More Recipes to Enjoy!
It’s no secret that we absolutely adore cucumbers around here! Their refreshing crunch and mild flavor make them incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Here are a few more of our favorite cucumber-centric recipes that you’re sure to enjoy:
- One of our most popular recipes is these delicate Cucumber Sandwiches. They are light, elegant, and ideal any time of the year, perfect for sophisticated tea parties, delightful bridal showers, or easy potluck contributions.
- Looking for a fun and healthy way to incorporate more fresh veggies into your diet? Our unique Greek Salad Sushi is just the ticket! This innovative recipe cleverly uses thinly sliced cucumbers to form the “rolls,” offering a fresh and flavorful twist on traditional sushi.
- And speaking of healthy and refreshing, something we truly can’t resist is a good smoothie. We’ve created one so incredibly delicious and invigorating, you won’t believe it’s packed with goodness. Be sure to check out our wonderfully refreshing Cucumber Tropical Smoothie – we know you’ll absolutely love its sweet and cool blend!
- This vibrant tomato cucumber salad with feta is another go-to. It’s incredibly light, wonderfully refreshing, and absolutely perfect for summer gatherings and barbecues. The best part, aside from its incredible flavor, is that it all comes together in under 10 minutes, making it an ideal last-minute addition to any meal!
More Delightful Summer Salad Recipes
When the sun is shining and fresh produce is abundant, there’s nothing quite like a delicious, easy-to-make salad. From fruity concoctions to hearty grain-based options, these summer salads are perfect for picnics, potlucks, or simply enjoying a light meal on your patio. Explore more of our seasonal favorites:
- Fruit Salad: A vibrant mix of seasonal fruits, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
- Corn Salad: Sweet corn kernels tossed with fresh ingredients, a BBQ staple.
- Caprese Salad: A simple, elegant combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
- Broccoli Salad: Crunchy and creamy, with bacon and a sweet dressing.
- Spaghetti Salad: A surprising and satisfying pasta salad, great for crowds.
- Watermelon Salad: Sweet and juicy watermelon, often paired with savory feta and mint.
- Grilled Corn and Zucchini Salad with Feta: Smoky, fresh, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
- Greek Salad: A robust salad with crisp vegetables, olives, and a tangy dressing.
Cucumber Salad
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 3 English cucumbers or 4 regular cucumbers
- 3 teaspoons salt divided
- ½ cup white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
Before You Begin
Instructions
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Wash outer skins of the cucumbers and rinse well.
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Cut off the ends but don’t peel them. Cut the cucumbers into paper thin slices.
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In large bowl, mix cucumber slices with 2 teaspoons salt. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Drain excess liquid from cucumbers.
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In medium bowl, make dressing by whisking together the white wine vinegar, sugar, dill, white pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt. Pour vinegar dressing over the drained cucumbers and mix well, tossing to coat.
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Cover salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate 3 hours before serving.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.