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Make Ahead Cucumber Salad

Make ahead cucumber salad recipe with crisp slices and glossy dressing

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This is the ultimate crisp and refreshing side dish that gets better with time. A quick salting step ensures the cucumbers stay crunchy, while a tangy-sweet dressing infuses every bite. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or a simple summer side.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for salting cucumbers
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare cucumbers: Place sliced cucumbers in a colander, sprinkle generously with kosher salt, and toss. Let sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out excess water.
  2. Make dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, 1 tsp salt, and pepper.
  3. Combine: Pat the drained cucumber slices dry with a clean towel. Add them to the bowl with the dressing, along with the tomatoes, red onion, and dill. Gently toss to coat.
  4. Chill: Transfer salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight, to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

For best results, do not skip the salting and drying step for the cucumbers. The salad keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey.

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