Crisp Cucumber Salad with Red Onion and Dill
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Salt and twenty minutes of patience keep the cucumbers crisp. Red onion, fresh dill and a sweet-tart rice vinegar dressing do the rest, and the bowl comes back to the kitchen empty.
The short version
Slice cucumbers thin, salt them and let them drain for 20 minutes, then toss with red onion, dill and a quick rice vinegar dressing. Chill at least 30 minutes. No cooking, 45 minutes start to finish.
What makes ours better
the tricks Nonna pretends she never taught me
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Salt and drain the cucumbers first. Salt pulls out the extra water before it can thin the dressing. You end up with crisper cucumbers and a dressing that still tastes like something.
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Slice them thin and even. Thin slices soak up the dressing in minutes and eat like a pickle that never got soft. A mandoline makes it quick, but a sharp knife works.
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Use rice vinegar and a little sugar. Rice vinegar is milder than white vinegar, so the sugar only has to round off the edges. The salad tastes bright, not sharp.
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Finish with fresh dill. Dried dill tastes dusty here. A handful of fresh fronds makes it smell like a garden.
What you need
the cast, in order of appearance
- Cucumbers2 pounds
- Red onion½ medium
- Sugar1 tablespoon
- Chopped fresh dill2 tablespoons
yes, all of the butter
Steps
nobody opens the oven door. looking at you, Dad.
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Slice the cucumbers
Trim the ends and slice the cucumbers into rounds about ⅛ inch thick. If you're using regular garden cucumbers with waxy skin, peel them and scoop out the seeds first.
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Salt and drain
Toss the slices with the salt in a colander set over a bowl or in the sink. Let them sit for 20 minutes. You'll see beads of water on the slices and a puddle underneath.
About 20 min. Cook mode has a timer for this step.
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Press out the water
Squeeze the slices gently by the handful, or press them with a clean towel, until they stop dripping. Tip them into a large bowl.
Don't rinse them. A quick rinse washes away the seasoning and you'll have to start over.
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Mix the dressing
In a small bowl, stir the rice vinegar and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Add the pepper and the pepper flakes if you're using them.
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Toss everything
Add the onion, dill and dressing to the cucumbers and toss well. Taste a slice. It should be lightly salty, sweet and tart. Add a pinch of sugar or a splash of vinegar if it needs it.
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Chill
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, tossing once. Serve cold with a slotted spoon.
About 30 min. Cook mode has a timer for this step.
Good to know
read this before somebody asks for seconds
- Persian and English cucumbers have thin skin and few seeds, so they're the easiest. For regular cucumbers, peel and seed them.
- Swap the dill for mint and add a splash of sesame oil for a different direction. For a creamy version, stir in ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt just before serving.
- It's good the same day and for about 2 days after, though the cucumbers soften a little each day.
- Storage. Refrigerate in a covered container, 3 days. Don't freeze.
Questions, answered
the questions my cousins text me
Why is my cucumber salad watery?
Cucumbers are mostly water, and salt plus vinegar draws it out into the bowl. Salting and draining before you dress them removes most of it, so the dressing stays put.
Do I have to peel the cucumbers?
Not for English or Persian cucumbers, whose skin is thin and tender. Peel and seed regular garden cucumbers, because their skin is tougher and waxy.
Can I make cucumber salad ahead?
Yes. Make it up to a day ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. It's crispest in the first few hours, so toss it once more before serving.
Can I use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar?
Yes. Use the same amount, but start with a little less sugar to taste. Both are sharper than rice vinegar.
How thin should I slice cucumbers for salad?
About ⅛ inch, or the thickness of two stacked coins. Thinner slices turn limp; thicker ones don't absorb the dressing as quickly.
From the table
Made it? Tell me how it went, and who went back for seconds when they thought nobody was looking.
Made it?
be honest. I can take it. probably.
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Published October 29, 2026.