Description
Cool Greek cucumber salad brings Mediterranean freshness to summer tables with crisp vegetables and tangy dressing. Quick preparations and zesty flavors make this dish a perfect light side that delights you at first bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 2 large cucumbers (English or Persian cucumbers work best)
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 ml) white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (optional)
Alternative Sweetener:
- 2 tablespoons honey (can be used instead of sugar)
Instructions
- Slice cucumbers into delicate, uniform rounds using a sharp knife or mandoline, ensuring precision and consistency. Transfer the gossamer-thin slices to a spacious mixing vessel.
- Introduce thinly shaved red onion to the cucumber base, creating a vibrant and crisp foundation for the salad.
- Craft a zesty dressing by vigorously whisking vinegar, sugar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a compact mixing bowl. Continue stirring until the sugar completely dissolves, creating a harmonious liquid blend.
- Cascade the prepared dressing over the cucumber and onion mixture, gently folding and rotating to ensure each vegetable strand is lovingly coated with the tangy marinade.
- Seal the salad with a protective cover and nestle it in the refrigerator’s cool embrace for 15-20 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to intertwine and develop a more nuanced profile.
- When ready to serve, give the salad a final gentle toss. Optionally, sprinkle fresh dill fronds across the surface for an aromatic finishing touch, elevating the dish’s visual and gustatory appeal.
Notes
- Choose crisp, firm cucumbers for the best texture and crunch in your salad.
- Slice cucumbers paper-thin to help them absorb the dressing quickly and evenly.
- Remove cucumber seeds if you prefer a less watery salad or have sensitive digestion.
- Adapt the dressing sweetness by adjusting sugar levels to match your taste preference.
- For a low-carb version, substitute sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
- Let the salad marinate longer for more intense flavor development and softer vegetable texture.
- Enhance the salad’s protein content by adding crumbled feta or sliced grilled chicken.
- Keep the salad refrigerated to maintain its refreshing and crisp quality.
- Experiment with different vinegars like apple cider or rice vinegar for unique flavor profiles.
- Use a mandoline slicer for consistently thin and uniform cucumber slices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg