Cucumber salad

Cucumber salad is a dish that can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it was known as kypos salata. The salad was made with cucumbers, onions, olive oil, and vinegar. This basic recipe was then adopted by the Romans, who added garlic and mint to the mix.

In the Middle Ages, cucumber salad recipes began to include cheese and eggs, as well as a variety of herbs and spices. By the Renaissance, cucumber salad had become a popular dish in Italy and France.

The modern cucumber salad can be traced back to the 19th century, when it was introduced to America by German and Dutch immigrants. Since then, cucumber salad has been a staple of American cookery, with many regional and family variations.

Advice

When making cucumber salad, it's important to choose cucumbers that are fresh and firm. Also, make sure to remove the seeds before slicing them up as these can make the cucumber salad watery. For an even more flavorful salad, try soaking the cucumbers in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt for about 30 minutes to an hour before adding them to your dish. Finally, top with a light and tangy dressing such as a light vinaigrette or Greek yogurt-based dressing for the perfect balance of flavors.

Questions

Should you peel cucumbers for a salad?

No, cucumbers do not need to be peeled for a salad. The skin of the cucumber is edible and provides the salad with an added layer of flavor and crunch.

What does a cucumber salad contain?

A cucumber salad typically contains cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, and herbs (such as dill or parsley). Other ingredients, such as feta cheese, olives, capers, and bell peppers can also be added.

What mixes well with cucumbers?

Onions, tomatoes, dill, garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, mint, yogurt, and feta cheese all mix well with cucumbers.

What is Japanese cucumber salad made of?

Japanese cucumber salad is typically made of cucumbers, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Some variations may also include sesame oil, garlic, or chili flakes.

Is Cucumber Salad good for you?

Yes, cucumber salad can be very healthy. It is a low-calorie food that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is also a good source of dietary fiber, which can help promote digestive health.

What Cannot be eaten with cucumber?

Cucumber should not be eaten with dairy products such as milk, cream, cheese, or yogurt, as these can cause digestive upset.

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

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Pineapple Cucumber Salad

  • white vinegar
  • avocado
  • cucumber
  • jalapeño
  • pineapple
  • bell pepper
  • onion
  • red pepper flake
  • cilantro
  • olive oil
  • honey
  • lime juice
  • salt
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Smashed Cucumber Salad

  • chili oil
  • soy sauce
  • rice vinegar
  • white miso
  • salt
  • ginger
  • sugar
  • sesame oil
  • sesame seed
  • garlic
  • tahini
  • green onion
  • lime juice
  • persian cucumber
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Korean Cucumber Salad

  • brown sugar
  • sesame oil
  • sesame seed
  • chive
  • sweet white onion
  • gochugaru
  • korean
  • salt
  • rice wine vinegar
  • garlic
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Chinese Cucumber Salad

  • sesame oil
  • soy sauce
  • sugar
  • vegetable oil
  • red pepper flake
  • bell pepper
  • rice wine vinegar
  • cucumber
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Creamy Cucumber Salad

  • mayonnaise
  • onion
  • sour cream
  • black pepper
  • dill
  • sugar
  • white wine vinegar
  • english cucumber
  • salt
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Sweet and Spicy Cucumber Salad

  • salt
  • fried shallot
  • cherry tomato
  • garlic
  • shallot
  • cilantro
  • tamarind concentrate
  • lime juice
  • fish sauce
  • thai chile
  • persian cucumber
  • INGREDIENT INFO
  • tamarind concentrate
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Thai Cucumber Salad

  • water
  • english cucumber
  • chili pepper
  • shallot
  • salt
  • sugar
  • white vinegar
  • cilantro
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Thai Chicken and Cucumber Salad

  • chili garlic sauce
  • garlic
  • cucumber
  • lime
  • ginger
  • onion
  • cilantro
  • mint
  • fish sauce
  • rice wine vinegar
  • red pepper flake
  • almond breeze almondmilk coconutmilk original
  • coconut palm sugar
  • carrot
  • sugar
  • lemongrass
  • fish sauce
  • lime
  • cocktail tomato
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Farro and Cucumber Salad

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • farro
  • white wine vinegar
  • caraway seed
  • dijon mustard
  • honey
  • dill
  • parsley
  • pumpernickel bread
  • cucumber
  • yellow beet
  • olive oil
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Cucumber Salad

  • dill
  • mint
  • english cucumber
  • apple cider vinegar
  • water
  • salt
  • agave nectar
  • yellow mustard seed
  • onion
  • sesame oil
  • rice vinegar
  • sugar
  • olive oil
  • pickled mustard seed
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Creamy cucumber salad

  • white wine vinegar
  • dijon mustard
  • dill weed
  • salt
  • jalapeño
  • sour cream
  • cumin
  • cilantro
  • cayenne pepper
  • onion
  • garlic
  • cucumber
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Cantaloupe and Cucumber Salad

  • sumac
  • sumac
  • coriander
  • salt
  • english hothouse cucumber
  • olive oil
  • pumpkin seed
  • cantaloupe
  • champagne vinegar
  • cilantro
  • mint
  • black pepper
  • cardamom
  • fresno chile
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Japanese Cucumber Salad

  • wakame seaweed
  • white sesame seed
  • gluten soy sauce
  • salt
  • octopus
  • sugar
  • persian cucumber
  • rice vinegar
  • shrimp
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Savory Peach and Cucumber Salad

  • spice mill
  • salt
  • olive oil
  • sesame seed
  • avocado
  • cardamom
  • garlic
  • serrano chile
  • clove
  • coriander seed
  • cumin seed
  • pumpkin seed
  • persian cucumber
  • cilantro
  • parsley
  • lemon juice
  • yellow peach
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Watermelon Cucumber Salad

  • watermelon
  • english cucumber
  • basil
  • arugula
  • feta
  • Poppyseed Dressing
  • honey
  • dijon mustard
  • olive oil
  • salt
  • poppy seed
  • white balsamic vinegar
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Cucumber Salad

  • Dressing
  • english cucumber
  • chickpea
  • salt
  • onion
  • parsley
  • mint
  • greek yogurt
  • olive oil
  • black pepper
  • garlic
  • dill
  • lemon juice
  • mint
  • za atar
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Creamy Cucumber Salad

  • Creamy cucumber salad
  • salt
  • lemon
  • english cucumber
  • white vinegar
  • greek yogurt
  • herb
  • mayonnaise
  • radishes toss
  • sugar
  • Optional, but really nice, additions
  • shallot
  • feta
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Raw Beet and Cucumber Salad

  • salt
  • olive oil
  • lemon zest
  • hungarian wax chile
  • sugar
  • english hothouse cucumber
  • sauvignon blanc vinegar
  • herb
  • poppy seed
  • fresno chile
  • kirby cucumber
  • chioggia
  • ricotta salata
  • green onion
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Wakame-and-Cucumber Salad

  • salt
  • ginger
  • lime juice
  • yellow miso paste
  • honey
  • sesame oil
  • vegetable oil
  • rice vinegar
  • wakame seaweed
  • green onion
  • persian cucumber
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Thai Cucumber Salad

  • fish sauce
  • garlic
  • sweetener
  • cilantro
  • mint
  • peanut
  • avocado oil
  • rice vinegar
  • english cucumber
  • green onion
  • lime juice
  • onion
  • sesame seed

Ingredient Breakdown

 
salt
sugar
cucumber
olive oil
garlic
onion
dill
cilantro
english cucumber
persian cucumber
rice vinegar
mint
black pepper
lime juice
lemon juice
green onion
fish sauce
white vinegar
sesame oil
tomato
red pepper flake
sour cream
soy sauce
honey
ginger
peanut
red wine vinegar
feta
cayenne pepper
avocado
lime
shallot
water
sesame seed
white wine vinegar
greek yogurt
cherry tomato
apple cider vinegar
dijon mustard
vegetable oil
mayonnaise
parsley
english hothouse cucumber
chili oil
cumin seed
white balsamic vinegar
jalapeño
rice wine vinegar
balsamic vinegar
basil
herb
cardamom
chili garlic sauce
canola oil
pepper
sunflower oil
vinegar
bell pepper
white pepper
za atar
tamarind concentrate
thai chile
strawberry
pistachio
green chile
cumin
sumac
pumpkin seed
champagne vinegar
fresno chile
wakame seaweed
watermelon
poppy seed
arugula
lemon zest
ricotta salata
fennel seed
dark sesame oil
skinned cucumber
peanut butter
purslane
red pepper
corn
queso fresco
coconut milk
sushi grade tuna
light brown sugar
sesame chile oil
coconut flake
chili
serrano
brown mustard seed
coconut
coconut oil
pineapple
white miso
tahini
brown sugar
chive
sweet white onion
gochugaru
korean
white bread
basil infused olive oil
sweet
yogurt
non greek yogurt
fried shallot
crème fraîche
deep fry thermometer
eggplant
english telegraph cucumber
chili pepper
blueberry
honeydew melon
almond breeze almondmilk coconutmilk original
coconut palm sugar
carrot
lemongrass
cocktail tomato
red russian kale
red thai chile
fried onion
farro
caraway seed
pumpernickel bread
yellow beet
agave nectar
yellow mustard seed
pickled mustard seed
green thai chile
dill weed
coriander
cantaloupe
white sesame seed
gluten soy sauce
octopus
shrimp
wakame
black peppercorn
daikon
spice mill
serrano chile
clove
coriander seed
yellow peach
3x1 lemon zest
celery salt
bleu cheese
red pear
cranberry
chickpea
lemon
radishes toss
hungarian wax chile
sauvignon blanc vinegar
kirby cucumber
chioggia
yellow miso paste
pea
grape tomato
cotija cheese
ch cornbread
dryroasted peanut
groundnut oil
shaohsing rice wine
red chile
star anise
chile flake
clear rice vinegar
sichuan peppercorn
smoked bacon lardon
chile
sherry vinegar
caper
oregano
ground beef
hamburger bun
pepita
sweetener
avocado oil
green cabbage
mustard
spring onion
malloreddus
friggitelli
purple onion
japanese cucumber
additions arugula
mango
lemon cucumber
watermelon cucumber
fennel pollen
fennel bulb
mirin
persian
marinade

Insights

Correlated with Higher Ratings

  • soy sauce
  • mint
  • lime juice

Staple Ingredients

  • salt 74%
  • sugar 38%
  • cucumber 36%
  • garlic 33%
  • olive oil 32%
  • onion 32%

Common Ingredients

  • cilantro 22%
  • dill 21%
  • persian cucumber 20%
  • english cucumber 18%

Usual Ingredients

  • rice vinegar 16%
  • black pepper 14%
  • lime juice 14%
  • mint 13%
  • red pepper flake 12%
  • fish sauce 11%
  • green onion 11%
  • lemon juice 11%
  • sesame oil 11%
  • sour cream 11%
  • honey 9%
  • peanut 9%
  • soy sauce 9%
  • white vinegar 9%
  • ginger 8% See More
  • red wine vinegar 8%
  • tomato 8%
  • cayenne pepper 7%
  • sesame seed 7%
  • shallot 7%
  • white wine vinegar 7%