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Home Side Salads

Cucumber Salad with Herb Garlic Vinaigrette

By:Nagi
Published:19 Jan '20Updated:13 Nov '20
35 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

Crisp Cucumber Salad with a tasty Herb & Garlic Vinaigrette is beautifully refreshing with a boost of flavour from the dressing. A terrifically versatile quick side salad that pairs with literally everything!

Close up of a refreshing Cucumber Salad with a tasty Herb & Garlic Dressing

Cucumber Salad

Cucumber is probably one of my most consumed vegetables. They make an appearance in many of my salads – from Greek Salad and Ottolenghi’s Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad to epic Asian salads like Thai Beef Salad, exploding with spicy tangy lime flavours.

I serve them the classic South East Asian way – cut into wedges and served plain on the side of foods like Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice) and Thai Fried Rice.

I cut them into sticks to serve with Hummus. And yep, I munch on them whole when I’m on the run!

So, it’s about time I started sharing some salads starring my favourite vegetable. 🙂 And here’s a classic one for you – a refreshing Cucumber Salad with a Herb & Garlic vinaigrette.

Bowl of Cucumber Salad with Herb & Garlic Dressing

Herb & Garlic Dressing for Cucumber Salad

It’s a super simple side salad, as many of my Side Salads are (and should be, in my opinion!). The thing that makes this Cucumber Salad so tasty is a terrific Herb & Garlic Dressing which adds tang and flavour to the juicy, crisp cucumber.

Type of Cucumber to use

This Cucumber Salad works equally well with long cucumbers (Telegraph / English cucumbers) or the more common standard cucumbers (called Lebanese cucumbers in Australia).

The difference between the two is that the long cucumbers are not as watery / juicy inside so they have a slightly more intense cucumber flavour. It’s useful when you don’t want the natural juiciness of cucumbers to water down the flavour in a salad when you munch your way through it.

For this particular Cucumber Salad, either will work. Use 2 long ones, or 3 to 4 standard cucumbers.

Difference between Telegraph / English cucumbers (long cucumbers) and Lebanese cucumbers, the most common variety

How to make it

Nothing complicated on the making part of this Cucumber Salad – shake dressing in a jar (the best way to make dressings, a vigorous shake makes the vinegar and oil emulsify really well which makes the dressing thick and cling to the vegetables).

Slice cucumbers pretty thinly (not too thin, we want crispiness in this salad), then toss it all together.

How to make Cucumber Salad

Drizzling Cucumber Salad with Herb & Garlic Vinaigrette (Dressing)

You will find that the dressing doesn’t cling to cucumber as well as it does leafy greens. That’s just life – cucumbers are naturally slippery!

If you want a dressing to coat cucumber well, try this Creamy Cucumber Salad (with a tangy lemon yogurt dressing).

What to serve with Cucumber Salad

Though this is a year round salad in my world, it is in particular a summer staple. It’s made for hot weather!! Think – BBQ’s, picnics and gatherings with friends.

Because it’s so refreshing, it pairs equally well with rich foods like roasts as much as it does lighter food like fish, prawns/shrimp and chicken dishes.

I particularly love serving it with salmon – in fact, after photographing it, I serve it on the side of this Honey Lemon Glazed Salmon! – Nagi x


Watch how to make it

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Close up of a refreshing Cucumber Salad with a tasty Herb & Garlic Dressing

Cucumber Salad with Herb & Garlic Dressing (Vinaigrette)

Author: Nagi
Prep: 10 mins
Side Dish
Western
5 from 8 votes
Servings5 people
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Recipe video above. Crisp, juicy cucumber and a tasty Herb & Garlic Vinaigrette makes for a sensational salad!! It's refreshing with extra flavour from the dressing - I can eat SO MUCH of this!! A touch of mustard is key here - thickens the dressing to help it coat the cucumber slices.

Ingredients

  • 3 cucumbers , standard (or 2 long Telegraph/English cucumber(Note 1)
  • 1/2 red onion , finely diced

Herb & Garlic Dressing:

  • 1 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar (Note 2)
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove , minced
  • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 3/4 tsp mixed dried herbs (Note 3 sub)
  • 1/2 tsp white sugar (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp salt and black pepper , EACH

Instructions

  • Shake Dressing in a jar.
  • Cucumber: Trim ends then slice about 3 mm/ 1/8" thick.
  • Place in bowl with red onion.
  • Pour over Dressing, toss gently and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes:

1. Cucumber type - use 2 long cucumbers (Telegraph/English Cucumbers) or 3 medium standard cucumbers (called "Lebanese" cucumbers in Australia, these are the most common variety).
2. Red wine vinegar - a type of vinegar that is red in colour, also used in Greek Salad. Sub with white wine vinegar, champagne or sherry vinegar, or apple cider vinegar. If using normal white vinegar, reduce to 1 tbsp.
3. Mixed Herbs - sub or 1/4 tsp each basil or parsley, oregano and thyme (or other dried herbs of choice)
4. Nutrition per serving, assumes all Dressing consumed. Reality is that about 1/3 of it ends up in the bottom of the bowl - Dressing doesn't stick to cucumber as well as other vegetables.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 110cal (6%)Carbohydrates: 7g (2%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 9g (14%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Sodium: 244mg (11%)Potassium: 283mg (8%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 4g (4%)Vitamin A: 130IU (3%)Vitamin C: 8mg (10%)Calcium: 31mg (3%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Keywords: Creamy Cucumber Salad, Dressing for cucumber salad
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

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35 Comments

  1. Jeannette Gravett says

    December 31, 2020 at 9:10 am

    5 stars
    Delicious – thanks. Eat cucumbers just about every day and this is a great alternative. Easy. Healthy! Hmmmmm!

    Reply
  2. Elle Glasic says

    December 23, 2020 at 11:25 am

    This is so yum and fresh, especially on a hot summers day! I thinly sliced the red onion and marinated it in the red wine vinegar while I prepared everything else. I also used fresh basil and thyme instead of dried herbs and threw in some finely sliced rocket too. YUM!

    Reply
  3. Chris W says

    May 31, 2020 at 10:17 am

    #Addicted

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      June 1, 2020 at 4:11 pm

      YESSSS!!! How good is it?!

      Reply
      • Christine says

        June 1, 2020 at 11:09 pm

        Every night this week with grilled shrimp 😉

        Reply
  4. Windy says

    May 29, 2020 at 10:44 am

    5 stars
    This salad is on our dinner rotation! It’s delicious, light. and very refreshing. I’ll add feta chunks to add some extra flavor. Great, simple recipe.

    Reply
  5. Maree says

    May 20, 2020 at 3:52 pm

    Just enjoyed this salad.Suoer tasty and super easy.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 20, 2020 at 6:39 pm

      Thanks so much for letting me know Maree! N x

      Reply
  6. marni says

    April 17, 2020 at 7:59 pm

    5 stars
    This is a family favourite served with Asian beef bowls, soo yum and soo easy. Thank you Nagi

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      April 18, 2020 at 6:27 pm

      I’m so glad ou love it Marni!! N x

      Reply
  7. Rene Lindeboom says

    April 12, 2020 at 5:53 am

    Made this today (but totally forgot the onions). Really really good and the perfect side dish for any Indian flavoured curry.

    Reply
  8. Karen Jones says

    January 28, 2020 at 2:53 am

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi,
    How long does this cucumber salad stay good?

    Thank you,
    Karen

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      January 28, 2020 at 6:29 am

      Hi Karen, I’ve kept it for a day – N x

      Reply
  9. Coralie Agung says

    January 24, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    This was so easy and delicious! Went perfectly with fresh cooked prawns and Vienna bread. Everyone was impressed. Cucumber never tasted so good!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      January 25, 2020 at 11:49 am

      🙌 Perfect Coralie!

      Reply
  10. Jill Schilling says

    January 15, 2020 at 1:34 pm

    5 stars
    This was a very refreshing take on cucumber salad! So quick and easy too.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      January 15, 2020 at 5:39 pm

      It’s a great option to transform the humble cucumber, I’m so glad you enjoyed it Jill – N x

      Reply
  11. Celest says

    November 21, 2019 at 9:43 pm

    5 stars
    Another mighty applause from South Africa to Nagi 👏👏👏👏 So simple, so delicious! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 22, 2019 at 5:28 pm

      Thanks so much Celest!!

      Reply
  12. Zoe says

    November 4, 2019 at 8:25 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi,
    How long can the dressing be stored in the fridge for? I’m planning to make a big batch to use 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 5, 2019 at 8:21 am

      Hi Zo3, 3-4 days should be fine – N x

      Reply
  13. bonnie says

    November 2, 2019 at 6:27 pm

    I have only one English cuke, and one other type cuke so gonna add some fresh spinach. I plan to add some crumpled feta cheese I have on hand too! Changed nothing in the viniagrette except for leaving out the sugar.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 3, 2019 at 4:12 pm

      Sounds great!

      Reply
  14. Lyne says

    October 30, 2019 at 11:34 am

    5 stars
    My daughter and I loved this recipe. She loved the dressing. Didn’t change a thing. Very fresh and a nice side to add to our rotation. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 30, 2019 at 7:00 pm

      Wahoo, that’s great to hear Lyne!

      Reply
  15. Eha says

    October 24, 2019 at 9:26 am

    Don’t think a day would pass in this house without cucumbers being on the menu beginning with my usual Scandinavian open sandwich piled high with all bar the kitchen sink in the morning 🙂 ! Altho’ up north sour cream or yoghurt are more likely to figure in the dressing I like the Italianate way of making this with the exception of using plenty of fresh herbs from the garden . . .

    Reply
  16. Vera G says

    October 24, 2019 at 8:08 am

    I wish, I do , to have Dozers energy. As for salad yum, just delicious!

    Reply
  17. Margarita says

    October 24, 2019 at 5:33 am

    Made cucumber twice.. once with English cukes then with the smaller Persian cucumbers.

    I found the Persian were tastier and crisper, less watery.

    Reply
  18. Jude says

    October 24, 2019 at 4:09 am

    Do you really mean “1 point 2” red onions?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 24, 2019 at 4:50 am

      BA HA HA!!! No – 1/2 a red onion!! N x

      Reply
  19. Simon says

    October 23, 2019 at 11:36 pm

    Good morning, Nagi.
    There seems to be 1/4 tsp missing from the herbs. Thanks.
    “3/4 tsp mixed dried herbs (or 1/4 tsp each oregano and thyme)”

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 24, 2019 at 4:51 am

      Thank you Simon! Clearly had a shocker last night 🙂 Updated! N xx

      Reply
    • Kay says

      April 12, 2020 at 1:59 am

      Sorry…I’m still confused about the dry herb. So 1/4 tsp of each basil, oregano, thyme and parsley?

      Reply
      • Simon says

        April 12, 2020 at 9:12 pm

        Kay … No, that would make a whole tsp of dried herbs; you need 3/4 tsp. The recipe calls for 1/4 tsp of either basil or parsley, 1/4 tsp oregano, and 1/4 tsp thyme. You also have the option of replacing any or all of these with whatever dried herbs you prefer.

        Reply
        • Kay says

          April 13, 2020 at 6:15 am

          Simon, thank you so much for clarifying. I’m making it right now. Haha. Have a wonderful day.

          Reply

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I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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