There’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than a chilled Cucumber Dill Salad. This easy-to-follow recipe is made with fresh cucumbers, crisp red onion, and fragrant dill, all tossed in a simple dressing made of white vinegar, lemon juice, and sugar. It’s a summertime favorite thats not only light, but healthy. As someone who spends hours in the kitchen testing recipes with fresh herbs and garden cucumbers, I can tell you this is one of my favorite recipes for summer meals. Whether you’re using English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers, or even regular grocery store cucumbers, this salad has the perfect tangy flavor and crunch that makes it a refreshing side dish for family dinners, BBQs, or potlucks.

Photo of Cucumber Dill Salad in a wooden bowl

Want to Email This for Later?

Email this post to yourself and we’ll share more inspiration when it’s ready!

  • Easy Recipe: You combine this recipe in 15 – 20 minutes with just a handful of fresh ingredients
  • Cool & Crisp: Thin slices of cucumber stay crunchy thanks to a quick salting step that removes excess water
  • Low Carb: This side dish not only taste good, but it’s super low carb and hydrating, perfect for any summer meal
Close up photo of cucumber dill salad

This salad is bright, tangy, and refreshing. If you have access to a mandolin, I recommend using it for this recipe to create perfectly thin slices of cucumber that stay crisp and savory.  The raw onion in this recipe is not too strong since the onions re soaked in water before tossing. The simple dill vinaigrette, which is made with white vinegar, lemon juice, fresh dill and sugar, brings the perfect balance of sweet and sour. It’s the kind of simple salad that’s always a great addition to any summertime table.

Cucumber dill salad in an airtight container

Here’s what you’ll need for this easy salad:

  • 3 cucumbers (English, Persian, or garden cucumbers all work)
  • ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh dill
  • ½ cup white vinegar
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • Juice of 1 lemon (¼ cup lemon juice)
  • ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
  • ⅓ cup water
photo of Cucumber Dill Salad ingredients
photo of mandoline slicing cucumbers

Step 1 – Prep the cucumbers: Wash and slice cucumbers thinly using a mandoline or sharp knife. Sprinkle with salt to keep them crispy and set aside.

photo of red onions in water

Step 2 – Prep the onion & dill: Thinly slice the red onion and soak in water for 10 minutes to reduce sharpness. Chop the fresh dill and set aside.

photo of dill in dressing

Step 3 – Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the white vinegar, sugar, lemon juice, salt, water, and dill.

Cucumber dill salad in an airtight container

Step 4 – Assemble: Rinse the salted cucumbers in a colander, then pat dry with paper towels. Place cucumbers in a serving container, add sliced red onion, and pour the dill vinaigrette over the top.

Photo of Cucumber Dill Salad in a wooden bowl

Step 5 – Chill & Serve: Give everything a good toss, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld into a refreshing side dish.

This simple cucumber salad is the perfect side dish for:

  • Place leftover cucumber dill salad in an airtight container and refrigerate.
  • The salad keeps well for 2–3 days, but will release a lot of water over time.
  • Best enjoyed chilled on warm days at room temperature straight from the fridge.
Cucumber dill salad in an airtight container

5 from 3 votes

Cucumber Dill Salad

This Cucumber Dill Salad is made with thin cucumber slices, red onion, fresh dill, and a simple vinegar dressing. It's the perfect refreshing side dish for BBQs, family dinners, or hot summer days! Easy, light, and bursting with flavor, save this simple cucumber salad recipe for your next summertime favorite.
Prep: 15 minutes
Rest Time: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 15 minutes
Save this recipe!

Ingredients 

  • 3 Cucumbers, thinly sliced with mandoline
  • 1/2 Red Onion, thinly sliced with mandoline
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Dill, chopped
  • 1/2 cup White Vinegar
  • 1/2 cup White Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/3 cup Water
  • Salt for soaking cucumbers

Instructions 

  • Wash and slice cucumbers thinly using a mandoline or sharp knife. Sprinkle cut cucumbers with salt to keep them crispy and set aside. Thinly slice the red onion and soak in water for 10 – 30 minutes to reduce sharpness. Chop the fresh dill and set aside.
    photo of mandoline slicing cucumbers
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the ½ cup white vinegar, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup lemon juice, ½ tsp salt, ⅓ cup water, and ¼ cup dill.
    dill vinegar dressing in a bowl
  • Rinse the salted cucumbers in a colander, then pat dry with paper towels. Place cucumbers in a serving container, add sliced red onion, and pour the dill vinaigrette over the top. Give everything a good toss, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Enjoy!
    Cucumber dill salad in an airtight container

Nutrition

Calories: 93kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 1gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 201mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 260IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Not all cucumbers are created equal. English cucumbers (the long, thin kind often wrapped in plastic at the grocery store) and Persian cucumbers (shorter, snacking-size ones) are the best choices. Both of these cucumbers have fewer seeds, thinner skin, and a naturally crisp cucumber texture, which means less excess water in your salad. This helps the cucumbers stay crunchy even after sitting in the tangy dressing. When I shot this recipe, I did not have any, but my recipe still turned out great.

close up photo of cucumbers

This simple cucumber dill salad is one of my favorite recipes to cook when the weather is nice and warm outside. If you loved this refreshing salad, be sure to check out more of my summer salads, easy hosting recipes, and fresh ingredient dishes that bring a perfect balance of sweet and savory to your table. Don’t forget to Pin this recipe for later and tag @elicitfolio on Instagram if you make it! I’d love to see your take on this fantastic side dish!


pin it
Pinterest in for Cucumber Dill Salad

About Ebony Robinson

Hi! I’m Ebony, the creator of Elicit Folio. I share recipes and creative hosting ideas for moments around the table, shaped by my Southern roots, family kitchens, global travels, and hands-on learning from chefs along the way. Every recipe is tested in my home kitchen and created to feel elevated, welcoming, and meant to be savored.

You may also like:

5 from 3 votes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Beth says:

    5 stars
    I love this combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. This is the perfect salad for summer.

  2. Ben says:

    5 stars
    I actually had all of these ingredients on hand, so I made this last night. It’s definitely my new go-to cucumber salad.

  3. LisaLisa says:

    5 stars
    Now this is one of my favorite ways to eat cucumber, I can east this salad all day. This post just reminded me I need to make a fresh salad this weekend.

    1. Elicit Folio says:

      Same! I hope you enjoy!