Cucumber And Onion Salad

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I’m a big fan of salads! And this cucumber and onion salad is my go-to snack meal whenever I’m craving something light and healthy.

As you all know I love Charleston, South Carolina. After spending a few days there I remember just how much I love southern food. A few of my favorite restaurants located there serve this cucumber salad when you sit down and look over your menu. Hominy Grill on Rutledge and Jestine’s Kitchen on Meeting Street come to mind.

The cucumber and onion salad is in a sweet and tart vinegar based dressing. It takes about 5 minutes to put together and keeps well in the fridge for a few days. Some recipes say to peel the cucumber and well, we all know that I am lazy. I really like cucumber peels, but if you are so inclined, please peel your cucumbers. This is a perfect side dish for a picnic, barbecue, or just to keep around to snack on.

What Does a Cucumber and Onion Salad Contain //

The beauty of a salad is that it is versatile and you can add or alter the ingredients according to your taste buds. This particular recipe contains cucumbers, onion (red or white), vinaigrette dressings and seasoning. However if you do wish to add any additional vegetables, feel free to do so. 

Is Cucumber and Onion Salad Healthy //

Cucumbers are one of the healthiest vegetables out there. They are often consumed to detoxify the body since they contain huge amounts of water. They are also rich in potassium and fibre. I do add sugar in this recipe, however if you want to swap that with a healthier alternative you can put honey or stevia.

Should you Peel Cucumbers //

I don’t usually peel my cucumbers because the peels have a high nutritional value. It is safe to have unpeeled cucumbers.  However, if you do want to peel the cucumbers for this recipe you can surely do so.

Ingredients //

• 4 cucumbers (I used one large English cucumber)
• 1 small onion sliced thinly (red or white)
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions //

Step 1: Put the vinegar, sugar, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Slice the cucumbers and onions. Add them to a bowl with the fresh dill. The dill is what makes this salad so good.

Step 3: Generously season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Pour the cooled vinegar mixture over the cucumbers.

Step 5: Give it a stir and put it in the fridge until cold. Marinate for at least an hour.

What Pairs Well With Cucumber and Onion Salad //

One of my favorite ways to eat this salad is as a side dish with either some kind of protein. When I make this salad I usually pair it with either my hot honey and gouda chicken sandwich, the sheet pan bbq chicken pizza or even sometimes with a chili like this butternut squash chili. 

How to Store Cucumber and Onion Salad //

If you have leftovers you can store them in an airtight container. Keep it refrigerated and it should be good to consume within 3-4 days. My recommendation would be to eat it ice cold out of the refrigerator. This salad is so refreshing on a hot day. Obviously it can be eaten at room temperature also, but eating it ice cold out of the fridge brings me back to my days of living in the South. Who am I to break tradition!