Description
A vibrant, refreshing salad showcasing the crisp, juicy goodness of fresh cucumbers, perfect as a light side dish or summer starter.
Ingredients
- Cucumbers: Choose crisp, fresh cucumbers, preferably English or Persian varieties, which have a thinner skin and fewer seeds. Slice them thinly to maximize the crunchy texture.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a bold, pungent flavor that complements the mild cucumber beautifully.
- Rice Vinegar: This light and slightly sweet vinegar provides the perfect balance of acidity to the salad. You can also use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar as alternatives.
- Olive Oil: A drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil adds richness and a touch of healthy fats to the dressing.
- Honey: A small amount of honey helps to balance the acidity and brings a subtle sweetness to the salad.
- Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings like salt and black pepper enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Red Pepper Flakes: A sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds a hint of heat and a touch of spice to the salad.
- Fresh Dill: Chopped dill leaves provide a fresh, herbaceous note that ties the entire dish together.
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, gently mix the thinly sliced cucumbers and red onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
3. Pour the dressing over the cucumber and onion mixture, add the chopped dill, and toss everything together until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
The key to a perfectly crunchy Crunchy Cucumber Salad is to slice the cucumbers thinly and let the salad chill for a bit before serving. This allows the vegetables to absorb the tangy-sweet dressing without becoming soggy.
- Prep Time: 10
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 200
- Fat: 2
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 1
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0