Cucumber Salad Recipe (2024)

Published: by Nora Reyes · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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Cucumber Salad, also known as Ensaladang Pipino, is the easiest five-minute side dish you can make. With its slightly sweet and tangy vinaigrette dressing, it pairs perfectly with grilled or fried meats and seafood. Use any cucumbers you have on hand and elevate your meal effortlessly.

Cucumber Salad Recipe (1)
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  • Ingredients you'll need
  • Notes and substitutions
  • How to make this recipe
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Filipino dishes to pair with Cucumber Salad
  • Other vegetable recipes you may like
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Ingredients you'll need

Cucumber Salad Recipe (2)

Notes and substitutions

  • Cucumber: I used Persian cucumbers. You can also use English, Kirby, or garden cucumbers. Generally, there's no need to peel or remove the seeds as these cucumbers have thin skin and small seeds. However, if you find the skin too thick or waxed, feel free to peel—it's totally up to you.
  • Vinegar: For the vinaigrette, you can use various types of vinegar to suit your taste. I used cane vinegar, but white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or rice vinegar also work well.

How to make this recipe

Step 1: Prepare the vegetables

Thinly slice the cucumbers and red onion. Place them in a large mixing bowl.

Cucumber Salad Recipe (3)

Step 2: Make the dressing

In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, sugar, bird's eye chili (if using), salt, and ground black pepper. Mix well.

Cucumber Salad Recipe (4)

Step 3: Dress the salad

Pour the dressing over the sliced cucumbers and onion.

Cucumber Salad Recipe (5)

Step 4: Toss to combine

Toss the cucumbers and onion until well combined with the dressing.

Cucumber Salad Recipe (6)

Serve your Cucumber Salad immediately or let it chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to let the flavors meld together.

Cucumber Salad Recipe (7)

Recipe FAQs

Should you peel cucumbers?

Whether to peel cucumbers largely depends on personal preference and the cucumber variety. Persian, English, and Kirby cucumbers have thin, tender skin that many enjoy eating. On the other hand, garden cucumbers often have a thicker, waxier skin. If you are concerned about pesticides or bitterness, you may choose to peel.

What type of vinegar is best for salad dressing?

The best vinegar for salad dressing can vary, but in the Philippines, cane vinegar is a popular choice for its bright tanginess. Other options include apple cider for a subtle flavor, rice vinegar for mild acidity, basic white vinegar for a clean sharpness, or red wine vinegar for a fruity zing. Choose one that complements the flavors of your salad.

Filipino dishes to pair with Cucumber Salad

  • Inihaw na Liempo: Grilled pork belly marinated in soy sauce, calamansi, banana ketchup, and garlic.
  • Lechon Kawali: The crispy, fatty goodness of fried pork belly is complemented by the lightness of the salad. Air-fried Pork Belly is a healthier alternative.
  • Tortang Talong: An eggplant omelet made with grilled or roasted eggplant dipped in beaten eggs, then pan-fried.
  • Crispy Fried Fish: Its texture and flavor contrast beautifully with the refreshing salad.
  • Pork Barbecue Skewers: Savory and sweet pork skewers perfect with the acidity and freshness of the salad.
  • Beef Tapa: Traditionally served as part of a Tapsilog breakfast with Sinangag (garlic fried rice) and a fried egg.

Other vegetable recipes you may like

  • Ginataang Puso ng Saging Recipe
  • Tofu and Mushroom Adobo Recipe
  • Laing Recipe
  • Adobong Talong Recipe
Cucumber Salad Recipe (12)

Did you make this recipe? I would love to know! Your feedback helps me make better recipes. Please rate, review, or comment below. Questions about this recipe are welcome, too!

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📖 Recipe

Cucumber Salad Recipe (13)

Cucumber Salad

The easiest five-minute side dish that pairs perfectly with grilled or fried meats and seafood.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: Asian, Filipino

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 28kcal

Author: Nora Rey

Cost: $2-$4

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces cucumbers thinly sliced (see note)
  • ½ small red onion thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons vinegar (see note)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 bird's eye chili (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Prepare the Vegetables: Thinly slice the cucumbers and red onion. Place them in a large mixing bowl.

  • Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix well.

  • Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the sliced cucumbers and onion.

  • Toss to Combine: Toss the cucumbers and onion until well combined with the dressing.

    Serve the salad immediately or let it chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to let the flavors meld together.

Notes

  • Cucumber: I used Persian cucumbers. You can also use English, Kirby, or garden cucumbers. Generally, there's no need to peel or remove the seeds as these cucumbers have thin skin and small seeds. However, if you find the skin too thick or waxed, feel free to peel—it's totally up to you.
  • Vinegar: For the vinaigrette, you can use various types of vinegar to suit your taste. I used cane vinegar, but white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or rice vinegar also work well.

Nutrition

Calories: 28kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 294mgPotassium: 153mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 158IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 0.3mg

Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided here is solely for informational purposes. I am not a certified nutritionist, and this data hasn't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or any other authority. It shouldn't be seen as health or nutrition advice. The figures are estimates calculated from various food composition databases and might vary based on product types, brands, natural variations in produce, and ingredient processing methods. Individual results may differ.

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More Vegetable Recipes

  • Ginataang Ampalaya Recipe
  • Ginisang Okra Recipe
  • Lumpiang Labong Recipe
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. May

    Cucumber Salad Recipe (18)
    Thanks for the recipe. I just live simple recipes like this that i can make.

    Reply

    • Nora Rey

      Hi May! You're very welcome!😊 If you have any questions or need more recipes, I'm here to help. Happy cooking! 👨‍🍳👩‍🍳

      Reply

Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think:

Cucumber Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make cucumber salad not watery? ›

Key Ingredients

Salt: The secret to the best cucumber salad is to salt your cucumbers. The salt makes the cucumbers taste better and removes excess water, diluting the dressing. I use sea salt, but any salt will do.

What does cucumbers and vinegar do to your body? ›

Supports Digestive Health

Cucumbers, known for their high water and fiber content, aid in preventing constipation and securing regular bowel movements. Thus, ACV and cucumber in unison can foster gut health, necessary for weight loss.

What is the best cucumber for salad? ›

Long English Cucumber

Long English Cucumbers have a good crunch with thin, delicate skin that's easy to digest. The best part: you don't even need to peel them—just slice 'em up and eat them as the perfect quick snack. This type of Cucumber is great in salads as well as a ton of other things, too!

How to make cucumber taste good? ›

Salt can bring out the natural flavours of cucumbers and make them taste more vibrant. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over sliced cucumbers and let them sit for a few minutes to draw out excess moisture. Rinse the cucumbers with water to remove the salt and pat them dry. The result will be a crisper and tastier cucumber.

Can I eat cucumber salad everyday? ›

Again, human studies are needed before sweeping recommendations about eating cucumber can be made. But, cucumber is a low-calorie fruit with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, so including it in your diet is always a good idea.

Should I peel cucumber for salad? ›

Peeling cucumbers

Armenian, Persian, and English cucumbers all have thin skin, so you actually don't have to peel them. I do peel them, but you can make that call. If you get garden cucumbers, they have thick skin and are sometimes waxed, so I always peel those.

How to prevent cucumber salad from getting soggy? ›

These vegetables are usually cooked before eating, and salting helps prevent them from getting mushy and bland. According to America's Test Kitchen, "Salting these watery vegetables draws out extra water and flavor molecules.

How to cut cucumber for salad? ›

Step 1: Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise. Step 2 (optional): Use the tip of a spoon to scrape out the seeds. Step 3: Cut the halves in half lengthwise, so you have four total spears. You can cut the spears widthwise, depending on the desired length, to make smaller spears.

Why tomato and cucumber Cannot be eaten together? ›

This may further worsen digestive issues and can cause acid reflux, gas and bloating. In some cases, it may aggravate underlying health issues. Thus, it is always advisable to consume these two foods separately to reap their benefits.

What does cucumber do to the tummy? ›

Cucumbers act as a coolant for our stomach. The soluble fibre in cucumbers helps in slowing our digestion. Also, the high content of water in cucumber makes our stools soft, prevents constipation and keeps our bowel movements regular.

What happens if you eat cucumber every night? ›

One of the most remarkable benefits of eating cucumber at night is its potential to improve sleep quality. Cucumbers contain a compound called "flavonoids," which have been linked to reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

What is the best time to eat cucumber salad? ›

Cucumber in general are good to be eaten on an empty stomach. In fact it is best to eat Cucumber before meals as it works as an appetizer due to its high fibre content. Yes, Cucumber can be eaten on an empty stomach especially before lunch because it works as an appetizer.

Is a cucumber a fruit or a vegetable? ›

Botanically, Cucumbers Are Fruits

Because cucumbers have seeds in the middle and grow from the flower of a cucumber plant, they are botanically a fruit. Botanical vegetables may be other edible structures of a plant, such as the leaves, stems and roots, and they do not have seeds.

Why is my cucumber salad bitter? ›

Cucumbers—and other members of the pumpkin and gourd family—produce a compound called cucurbitacins that can impart a bitter taste. The amount of cucurbitacins a cucumber contains is increased when the plant faces adverse growing conditions, like a lack of water or excessive heat.

What are the ingredients in a cucumber? ›

Raw cucumber (with peel) is 95% water, 4% carbohydrates, 1% protein, and contains negligible fat. A 100-gram (3+1⁄2-ounce) reference serving provides 65 kilojoules (16 kilocalories) of food energy. It has a low content of micronutrients: it is notable only for vitamin K, at 16% of the Daily Value (table).

What does cucumber contain? ›

One medium unpeeled, raw cucumber has the following:
  • Calories: 30.
  • Total fat: 0 grams.
  • Carbs: 6 grams.
  • Protein: 3 grams.
  • Fiber: 2 grams.
  • Vitamin C: 10% of the recommended daily value (DV)
  • Vitamin K: 57% of the DV.
  • Magnesium: 9% of the DV.
Sep 23, 2022

What to put on cucumber? ›

Here are ingredients that work so well on cucumbers:
  1. Cream cheese (one of my fave combos)
  2. Tuna.
  3. Guacamole.
  4. Deli slices.
  5. Smoked salmon.
  6. Feta cheese.
  7. Greek yogurt.
  8. Sliced cheese.
Jul 5, 2023

What are the components of the cucumber flavor? ›

(E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal and (E,Z)-2,6-nonadien-1-ol give fruits a typical cucumberlike flavor, which is the most important constituent of the cucumber flavor. Nonanal and nonanol give citrus and rose notes, and (Z)-6-nonenal gives melon-like notes [12, 26].

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