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Photo: Photographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Ruth Blackburn
When the weather gets warm, it’s hard to resist the allure of a classic summer cucumber salad. Crunchy, juicy cucumbers combined with a zesty or creamy dressing will always leave you feeling refreshed on a hot day, and these four- and five-star-rated recipes are here to prove that point. There’s something in this collection you’ll love, whether it’s a classic mix of cukes and vinegar or a sweeter mashup of cucumbers and watermelon. Pair a glass of ice-coldCucumber Lemonadewith recipes like our Cucumber Vinegar Salad and Cucumber-Yogurt Salad the next time the weather has you parched.Most cucumber salads can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. We like the idea of preparing the salad the night before an event or, better yet, the morning of—fresh is always best. Seasonal bonus: Any of these cucumber salads would be a great accompaniment to a summer-cookout spread.
When the weather gets warm, it’s hard to resist the allure of a classic summer cucumber salad. Crunchy, juicy cucumbers combined with a zesty or creamy dressing will always leave you feeling refreshed on a hot day, and these four- and five-star-rated recipes are here to prove that point. There’s something in this collection you’ll love, whether it’s a classic mix of cukes and vinegar or a sweeter mashup of cucumbers and watermelon. Pair a glass of ice-coldCucumber Lemonadewith recipes like our Cucumber Vinegar Salad and Cucumber-Yogurt Salad the next time the weather has you parched.
Most cucumber salads can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. We like the idea of preparing the salad the night before an event or, better yet, the morning of—fresh is always best. Seasonal bonus: Any of these cucumber salads would be a great accompaniment to a summer-cookout spread.
01of 18Cucumber Vinegar SaladView RecipePhotographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Ruth BlackburnThis cucumber vinegar salad has the perfect balance between sweet and sour flavors, plus a hint of fresh dill. The red onion adds nice crunch. Enjoy this salad right after you’re done making it or store it away to snack on later.
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Cucumber Vinegar Salad
View Recipe
Photographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Ruth Blackburn
This cucumber vinegar salad has the perfect balance between sweet and sour flavors, plus a hint of fresh dill. The red onion adds nice crunch. Enjoy this salad right after you’re done making it or store it away to snack on later.
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Use-a-Spoon Chopped Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumber, Red Onion & Kalamata Olives
Kelsey Hansen
03of 18Pineapple & Cucumber SaladView RecipeEnjoy this sweet, refreshing salad alongside grilled meat or fish to cut through the richness and refresh the palate. If you like a little heat, adding jalapeño will give you the kick you crave. While packs of prechopped pineapple are convenient, they’re almost always more expensive. When pineapple is in season, it’s best to buy fresh and chop it yourself. Look for a pineapple with a golden-yellow exterior, which is a good indicator of ripeness.
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Pineapple & Cucumber Salad
Enjoy this sweet, refreshing salad alongside grilled meat or fish to cut through the richness and refresh the palate. If you like a little heat, adding jalapeño will give you the kick you crave. While packs of prechopped pineapple are convenient, they’re almost always more expensive. When pineapple is in season, it’s best to buy fresh and chop it yourself. Look for a pineapple with a golden-yellow exterior, which is a good indicator of ripeness.
04of 18Cucumber-Yogurt SaladView RecipePhotographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors HallA refreshing accompaniment to a main course of meat or fish, this cucumber-yogurt salad also makes a tasty filling for pita bread. If the cucumbers are grated instead of chopped, this mixture can be served as a dip.
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Cucumber-Yogurt Salad
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
A refreshing accompaniment to a main course of meat or fish, this cucumber-yogurt salad also makes a tasty filling for pita bread. If the cucumbers are grated instead of chopped, this mixture can be served as a dip.
05of 18Watermelon, Cucumber & Corn SalsaView RecipeThis refreshing summer salsa combines cooling watermelon and cucumber with the kick from jalapeño. The heat from jalapeños can vary widely. For those that like the heat, use a whole jalapeño. Serve with tortilla chips on the side.
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Watermelon, Cucumber & Corn Salsa
This refreshing summer salsa combines cooling watermelon and cucumber with the kick from jalapeño. The heat from jalapeños can vary widely. For those that like the heat, use a whole jalapeño. Serve with tortilla chips on the side.
06of 18Chopped Cucumber & Tomato Salad with LemonView RecipeGreg DuPreeIt doesn’t get easier than a cucumber and tomato summer salad! Fresh cucumber and juicy ripe tomatoes are all you need to really make this salad shine. Marinating cucumbers and tomatoes in vinegar with a touch of lemon zest infuses the dish with tangy citrus flavor.
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Chopped Cucumber & Tomato Salad with Lemon
Greg DuPree
It doesn’t get easier than a cucumber and tomato summer salad! Fresh cucumber and juicy ripe tomatoes are all you need to really make this salad shine. Marinating cucumbers and tomatoes in vinegar with a touch of lemon zest infuses the dish with tangy citrus flavor.
07of 18Cucumber Pasta SaladView RecipeThis light and tangy cucumber pasta salad is fresh and bright. The orecchiette pasta holds the dressing for flavor in every bite, but you can use another small pasta shape if you like. This easy salad is perfect for a warm day or to serve as a lunch dish for company! For a fruitier flavor, try apple-cider vinegar in place of white distilled vinegar.
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Cucumber Pasta Salad
This light and tangy cucumber pasta salad is fresh and bright. The orecchiette pasta holds the dressing for flavor in every bite, but you can use another small pasta shape if you like. This easy salad is perfect for a warm day or to serve as a lunch dish for company! For a fruitier flavor, try apple-cider vinegar in place of white distilled vinegar.
08of 18Egyptian Tossed SaladView RecipeThis crisp blend of vegetables is offered as a topping or side at Zooba, the Egyptian street food restaurant in New York City. We made it a stand-alone salad to stuff into pita with ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel—see Associated Recipes on the salad’s recipe page) or serve with just about anything else. (Recipe adapted from Zooba Restaurant.)
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Egyptian Tossed Salad
This crisp blend of vegetables is offered as a topping or side at Zooba, the Egyptian street food restaurant in New York City. We made it a stand-alone salad to stuff into pita with ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel—see Associated Recipes on the salad’s recipe page) or serve with just about anything else. (Recipe adapted from Zooba Restaurant.)
09of 18Creamy Cucumber, Radish & Tomato Chopped SaladView RecipeA mix of cool, crunchy vegetables gives this healthy salad satisfying bite for a perfect potluck side.
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Creamy Cucumber, Radish & Tomato Chopped Salad
A mix of cool, crunchy vegetables gives this healthy salad satisfying bite for a perfect potluck side.
10of 18Cucumber & Avocado SaladView RecipeThis healthy cucumber-avocado salad takes just five minutes to prep. Lime juice and fresh herbs boost the bright flavors in this crunchy and creamy salad that’s a perfect side dish for grilled chicken, fish or steak. This recipe calls for an English cucumber, which doesn’t have to be peeled. But regular cucumbers work well too—just peel them before slicing.
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Cucumber & Avocado Salad
This healthy cucumber-avocado salad takes just five minutes to prep. Lime juice and fresh herbs boost the bright flavors in this crunchy and creamy salad that’s a perfect side dish for grilled chicken, fish or steak. This recipe calls for an English cucumber, which doesn’t have to be peeled. But regular cucumbers work well too—just peel them before slicing.
11of 18Cucumber, Tomato & Avocado SaladView RecipeThis vibrant cucumber, tomato and avocado salad is perfect for BBQs and backyard parties. The dressing is whisked together right in the salad bowl before you add the vegetables, so it’s also incredibly easy to make. Choose a fairly firm avocado so it holds its shape in the salad.
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Cucumber, Tomato & Avocado Salad
This vibrant cucumber, tomato and avocado salad is perfect for BBQs and backyard parties. The dressing is whisked together right in the salad bowl before you add the vegetables, so it’s also incredibly easy to make. Choose a fairly firm avocado so it holds its shape in the salad.
12of 18Creamy Cucumber SaladView RecipeThis creamy cucumber salad is an easy side dish for any summer BBQ. Bright dill and white-wine vinegar add fresh tartness to cucumbers and red onions. Enjoy this salad the day you prepare it so the ingredients don’t turn watery.
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Creamy Cucumber Salad
This creamy cucumber salad is an easy side dish for any summer BBQ. Bright dill and white-wine vinegar add fresh tartness to cucumbers and red onions. Enjoy this salad the day you prepare it so the ingredients don’t turn watery.
13of 18Cucumber, Tomato & Feta Salad with Balsamic DressingView RecipeAndrea Mathis, M.A., R.D.N., L.D.This Greek-inspired tomato salad is packed with fresh veggies and flavor-boosting ingredients, like balsamic vinegar, Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese. This delicious salad takes just 15 minutes to make and while you could eat it right away, it tastes even better the longer it sits. So plan for at least an hour of marinating time before serving.
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Cucumber, Tomato & Feta Salad with Balsamic Dressing
Andrea Mathis, M.A., R.D.N., L.D.
This Greek-inspired tomato salad is packed with fresh veggies and flavor-boosting ingredients, like balsamic vinegar, Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese. This delicious salad takes just 15 minutes to make and while you could eat it right away, it tastes even better the longer it sits. So plan for at least an hour of marinating time before serving.
14of 18Tomato, Cucumber & White-Bean Salad with Basil VinaigretteView RecipeThis no-cook bean salad is a delicious way to use summer’s best cherry or grape tomatoes and juicy cucumbers for a light dinner or lunch. Fresh basil elevates an easy vinaigrette recipe that dresses up this simple salad into something extraordinary.
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Tomato, Cucumber & White-Bean Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
This no-cook bean salad is a delicious way to use summer’s best cherry or grape tomatoes and juicy cucumbers for a light dinner or lunch. Fresh basil elevates an easy vinaigrette recipe that dresses up this simple salad into something extraordinary.
15of 18Smashed Cucumber Salad with Lemon & CuminView RecipeDon’t skip salting the cucumbers in this quick cucumber salad recipe—just 10 minutes pulls out some of their excess moisture, concentrating the flavor and keeping the salad from being watered down. Serve this smashed cucumber salad at a summer cookout alongside burgers and hot dogs.
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Smashed Cucumber Salad with Lemon & Cumin
Don’t skip salting the cucumbers in this quick cucumber salad recipe—just 10 minutes pulls out some of their excess moisture, concentrating the flavor and keeping the salad from being watered down. Serve this smashed cucumber salad at a summer cookout alongside burgers and hot dogs.
16of 18Vidalia Onion & Cucumber SaladView RecipeFor this old-fashioned Southern cucumber and onion salad, thin slices of cucumber and onion marinate just long enough to develop a touch of tanginess without any sharp bite. Serve with sweet dishes like barbecue to lend a refreshing balance.
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Vidalia Onion & Cucumber Salad
For this old-fashioned Southern cucumber and onion salad, thin slices of cucumber and onion marinate just long enough to develop a touch of tanginess without any sharp bite. Serve with sweet dishes like barbecue to lend a refreshing balance.
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Spiralized Cucumber Salad with Feta & Olives
18of 18Cucumber & Tomato Salad with Preserved LemonView RecipeIn this cucumber and tomato salad recipe, preserved lemon adds a tangy, salty bite. Serve this healthy salad as an accompaniment to dishes like grilled lamb or chicken or as a side on a bed of finely julienned purple kale, lightly dressed with more olive oil and lemon juice. Look for preserved lemons at specialty-foods stores.
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Cucumber & Tomato Salad with Preserved Lemon
In this cucumber and tomato salad recipe, preserved lemon adds a tangy, salty bite. Serve this healthy salad as an accompaniment to dishes like grilled lamb or chicken or as a side on a bed of finely julienned purple kale, lightly dressed with more olive oil and lemon juice. Look for preserved lemons at specialty-foods stores.
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