Vinegar cucumber and onion salad is a crisp and refreshing side dish made in minutes with just a handful of ingredients. It’s tangy, lightly sweet, and perfect for warm weather meals, or any time you need something fresh and punchy.

a bowl of cucumber and onion salad with vinegar and sugar dressing — This salad is perfect alongside rich dishes - it cuts through and refreshes with every bite.

Although cucumbers are a summer crop, I’m grateful they’re available year-round. When I grow them myself, there’s always an overflow, and I end up making every cucumber salad under the sun, like my spicy cucumber salad, cucumber carrot salad, or my Lebanese cucumber yogurt salad. But this vinegar cucumber onion salad is something special.

It was inspired by the sharp, refreshing salad served at my local Indian restaurant. Theirs is spiced, but mine is stripped back, just clean, bold flavors that wake everything up. It’s a fantastic side with bold mains like black bean curry, curry with peanut butter or anything grilled.

Janelle’s Tips

The dressing might seem minimal at first, but once the cucumbers sit with the salt, they’ll start to release their water. This not only softens the bite but also creates more liquid, enhancing the flavor and balance.

I always slice my cucumbers and onions thinly for this salad, so they quickly absorb the vinegar and sugar.

You can make this ahead and let it chill for a couple of hours. It gets better as it sits, making it ideal for meal prep or gatherings.

cucumber onion salad in a white bowl with a spoon in it

Did you make this? I'd love to know! Leave me a comment below with a ★★★★★ star rating or tag @plantbasedfolk on social media.

Recipe