Cucumber Salad

Cucumber Salad

This viral cucumber salad is crisp, refreshing, and packed with bold flavor — thinly sliced cucumbers tossed in a tangy, garlicky dressing with red onion, fresh dill, and a splash of rice vinegar. It comes together in minutes and gets better as it sits, making it the perfect make-ahead side that's been all over social media for good reason.

4 servings · Prep 15 min · Cook 5 min · Total 20 min

American · Salad

Main

  • 4 whole Persian cucumbers thinly sliced into rounds
  • 2 large English cucumbers
  • 0.5 medium red onion very thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp fresh dill roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt for drawing out moisture
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes

Dressing

  • 3 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 cloves garlic pressed or finely minced
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar or honey
  • honey
  • 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Paper Towel
  • Whisk
  • Knife
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Cutting Board
  • Mandoline
  • Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)

Instructions

  1. Slice the @[Persian Cucumbers] into thin rounds (about ⅛-inch thick) using a #[Mandoline] or #[Knife]. Place them in a large #[Mixing Bowl], sprinkle with ~[1 tsp] @[Sea Salt], toss well, and let sit for ~[5–10 minutes]. This draws out excess water so your dressing doesn't get diluted. After resting, gently pat the @[Persian Cucumbers] dry with #[Paper Towel] or squeeze out any pooled liquid.
  2. In a small #[Mixing Bowl], whisk together the @[Rice Vinegar], @[Extra-Virgin Olive Oil], @[Lemon Juice], @[Garlic] minced, @[Sugar], and @[Black Pepper] until the @[Sugar] dissolves and the dressing is well combined. Taste and adjust — add more @[Rice Vinegar] for tang or a pinch more @[Sugar] to balance.
  3. Add the thinly sliced @[Red Onion] and @[Dill] chopped to the #[Mixing Bowl] with the drained @[Persian Cucumbers]. Pour the dressing over the top and toss everything together until evenly coated.
  4. Let the salad marinate for at least ~[5 minutes] before serving so the flavors meld. Garnish with toasted @[Sesame Seeds] and a pinch of @[Red Pepper Flakes] if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.