10+ Cucumber Salad Recipes to Refresh Your Summer Meals

Cucumber salad recipes are such an easy, refreshing way to bring fresh flavors to your table—especially when it’s hot out. You can whip up light dishes that go with almost anything, or just eat them as a cool snack.

These salads come together fast and usually need just a handful of ingredients.

If you like tangy, creamy, or Asian-inspired flavors, you can tweak cucumber salads to match your mood. They’re versatile and add a nice, fresh crunch to any meal.

1) Classic Cucumber and Red Onion Salad with Vinegar Dressing

This salad is about as simple and refreshing as it gets. Start with thin slices of cucumber and red onion.

The vinegar dressing brings a tangy bite that balances the onion’s natural sweetness. It’s quick—just a few minutes and you’re done.

Serve it with grilled meats or pack it for a picnic. If you let it sit, the flavors blend even better.

The dressing usually has vinegar, a bit of sugar, salt, and pepper. Go with white or apple cider vinegar if you have a preference.

The salad stays crisp and cool, which is just what you want on a hot day.

Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers
• 1 small red onion
• ½ cup vinegar (white or apple cider)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice cucumbers and red onion thin.
2. Mix vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until sugar dissolves.
3. Combine cucumbers and onion in a bowl.
4. Pour dressing over and toss gently.
5. Chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.

Try this classic cucumber salad with red onion and vinegar dressing.

2) Asian Cucumber Salad with Rice Vinegar, Sesame, and Ginger

This Asian cucumber salad is super cool and refreshing. Rice vinegar, sesame oil, and fresh ginger give it a bright, tangy flavor.

It pairs well with almost anything—grilled meat, rice bowls, you name it. The dressing’s got soy sauce and garlic, plus a little sugar for balance.

Fresh ginger brings a gentle spice and aroma. Toasted sesame seeds or oil add a nutty finish.

You can slice the cucumbers thin or cut them into chunks. Chill before serving so the flavors really come together.

Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers
• ½ cup rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Cooking Instructions

1. Thinly slice cucumbers and put them in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, whisk rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sugar.
3. Pour dressing over cucumbers and toss.
4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
5. Chill 15–30 minutes before serving.

You can find more at Feasting At Home.

3) Creamy Mom’s Cucumber Salad with Sweet Tangy Dressing

This creamy cucumber salad is a quick, tasty side dish. Crisp cucumber slices get tossed with a sweet, tangy dressing.

Usually, the dressing is mayo, vinegar, and a touch of sugar. Fresh dill or garlic adds extra flavor.

It’s great for summer meals or picnics. Toss it all together and let it chill so the flavors meld.

It’s creamy but still feels light, with a nice balance of sweet and tangy.

Ingredients

• Cucumbers, thinly sliced
• Mayonnaise
• Vinegar (white or apple cider)
• Sugar
• Fresh dill
• Garlic (optional)
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice cucumbers thin.
2. Whisk mayo, vinegar, sugar, dill, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss cucumbers in the dressing.
4. Chill for 30 minutes.

4) 5-Minute Japanese-Style Cucumber Salad with Sugar and Rice Vinegar

If you want something fast, this Japanese-style cucumber salad is perfect. Just mix sliced cucumbers with sugar and rice vinegar.

A little salt brings out the flavors. The taste is mild, sweet, and tangy—ideal as a side for lots of meals.

It’s cool and crisp, perfect for warm days or when you want something super simple.

No cooking needed. Just stir everything together and let it sit a few minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice cucumbers and put in a bowl.
2. Add sugar, rice vinegar, and salt.
3. Stir until sugar dissolves.
4. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

Check out Simply Recipes for more.

5) Crispy Cucumber Salad Tossed with Sesame Oil and Garlic

This crispy cucumber salad brings big, fresh flavors. Lightly smashing the cucumbers keeps them crunchy and helps them soak up the dressing.

The dressing is toasted sesame oil with minced garlic. It’s rich and nutty, but not overpowering.

It comes together fast. Chill it for a few minutes if you want it extra refreshing.

Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse and dry cucumbers.
2. Smash lightly with a knife, then cut into pieces.
3. Mix sesame oil, garlic, rice vinegar, and salt in a bowl.
4. Toss cucumbers in the dressing. Add red pepper flakes if you like heat.
5. Chill for 10-15 minutes if you want.

6) Simple Seedless Cucumber Salad with Red Wine Vinegar

This salad is all about ease and freshness. Seedless cucumbers stay crunchy and don’t add extra water.

Red wine vinegar brings a gentle tang. Thinly sliced red onion gives a little bite.

Let it sit for a bit so the flavors mix. The dressing is just red wine vinegar, sugar, and salt—bright and simple.

Ingredients

• 2 seedless cucumbers, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and slice cucumbers.
2. Slice the red onion thin.
3. Mix vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
4. Add cucumbers and onion, toss everything together.
5. Let it chill for at least 30 minutes.

7) Cucumber Salad with Fresh Dill and Sweet Onion

This salad is crisp and cool, just right for summer. Fresh cucumbers and tangy sweet onions give it crunch.

Fresh dill adds a herby, bright flavor. The dressing is a sweet-tangy vinegar mix that ties it all together.

Serve it cold or at room temp. It’s quick, light, and full of fresh flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Put cucumbers, onions, and dill in a bowl.
2. Mix vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Pour dressing over veggies and toss.
4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

8) Persian Cucumber and Yogurt Salad

This salad is light, cool, and perfect for hot days. Use small Persian cucumbers—they’re crisp and mild.

Mix them with creamy plain yogurt for a refreshing texture. Garlic and fresh herbs like mint brighten it up.

If you want, toss in walnuts or raisins for crunch and a hint of sweetness. It works as a side or a dip for bread.

It’s easy—just chill before serving so the flavors blend.

Ingredients

• 4 Persian cucumbers, peeled and diced
• 2 cups plain yogurt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
• 2 tablespoons walnuts, chopped (optional)
• 1 tablespoon raisins (optional)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and dice cucumbers.
2. Mix cucumbers, yogurt, and garlic in a bowl.
3. Add mint, walnuts, and raisins if you like.
4. Salt to taste and stir.
5. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

Find more in this Persian Yogurt and Cucumber Dip recipe.

9) Spicy Szechuan Cucumber Salad with Chili Oil

This salad is crunchy and has a real spicy kick. Smash the cucumbers so they soak up the flavors.

The sauce is a mix of chili oil, garlic, soy sauce, and a splash of vinegar for tang. You get heat, a little sweetness, and some saltiness all together.

Top with fresh cilantro or sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.

Ingredients

• 2 medium cucumbers
• 2 tablespoons chili oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro or sesame seeds (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Smash the cucumbers gently and chop them into bite-size pieces.
2. Sprinkle with salt and let them sit for about 10 minutes.
3. In a bowl, mix chili oil, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar.
4. Drain off any extra water from the cucumbers, then toss them with the sauce.
5. Top with cilantro or sesame seeds if you’re feeling fancy.

10) Quick Cucumber and Radish Salad with Sesame Seeds

This one’s bright, crunchy, and comes together faster than you’d expect. Crisp cucumbers team up with those sharp little radishes for a refreshing bite.

Sesame seeds bring a nutty crunch that just works. I usually toss it all in a quick dressing—vinegar, sesame oil, and a splash of soy sauce or tamari.

Want it extra cold? Pop the salad in the fridge for a bit. Right before serving, scatter on a few more sesame seeds for a little extra flair.

Ingredients

• 1 large cucumber
• 12 oz radishes
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds (white or black)
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
• Optional: 1 tsp honey or agave

Cooking Instructions

1. Thinly slice the cucumber. Slice the radishes, too.

2. Whisk together rice vinegar and sesame oil. Add soy sauce and a bit of sweetener if you want.

3. Toss the sliced veggies in your dressing. Make sure they’re well coated.

4. Chill for 15 minutes, or just serve it right away if you’re hungry.

5. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top before serving. Enjoy!