I have been experimenting with different ways to make a cucumber salad all summer. I finally created one that hit the spot. It’s light and refreshing, and crisp. While I have some herb plants outside asking to be used, a herby cucumber salad just wasn’t appealing. So I went for celery seed-it adds a little spice and a little texture. This recipe has just a hint of the tang of pickles-the celery seed and vinegar add that element-and is perfect when you want a refreshing side dish.
We have brought this on a plane trip, eaten it often at home, and brought it on a picnic in the beautiful outdoors. I think we are slightly addicted to it’s fresh, clean flavor. It’s a simple, nourishing, and satisfying salad that works well for a nice dinner, or for a simple picnic.
Cucumber and Red Onion Salad
After much trial and error, we decided that we liked our cucumber best sliced thickly and on a diagonal. This kept it from getting soggy, and was pretty as well. But do that you like best. The longer you chill the more the flavors will meld, but the cucumbers will continue to soften. The cucumber will also release juice because of the salt in the dressing. But it’s no problem. just toss again with all the liquid right before serving.
3 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2 inch pieces on a diagonal.
1/2 to 1 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon celery seed
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar (you could also use lemon juice, champagne vinegar, or apple cider vinegar)
1 teaspoon Dijon style mustard
1 teaspoon sea salt
2-3 garlic cloves, finely minced or put through a garlic press
1-In a medium size bowl combine your cucumber and red onion slices.
2- In a small bowl combine the rest of the ingredients. Pour over cucumber and onion mixture and toss to coat. Chill for a few hours for flavors to meld. Mix right before serving and enjoy.
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This sounds so good! I love any combination of vinegary cucumbers and onion, but I wouldn’t have thought to add Dijon mustard — inspired!
I found your site while searching for a recipe for homemade ice cream made with coconut milk (will be making your chocolate version later today) and found myself drooling over all the fabulous recipes and nodding my head along with your food philosophies. SO happy to have found you and I will definitely be back!
Is that Tablespoons of vinegar?
It sounds delicious! Thanks! 🙂
Blessings,
Michele
Badger,
Welcome to my blog! So glad that you found my blog and I hope you enjoy the chocolate ice cream. 🙂 It’s always so nice to “find” someone who is on the same page as you in regard to food and nutrition, isn’t it?
Michele,
It is tablespoons! Thanks for pointing that out, I fixed it. 🙂
This looks so good, I’m drooling over it! too bad its not cucumber season over here – I’ll have to remember this one for the summer!
MMM, had this tonight and it was DELISH! I don’t really like cucumbers and LOVED this! Thanks!!!
My cucumbers are just beginning to be ripe in my garden, so this is a must try! I’m going to give it a shot using lemon cucumbers, as that’s what is ready now. Should be interesting!
I love so many of your recipes. I am planning to make this but was curious if you put the cloves of garlic in whole or chop them? (Do you eat them whole?!)
Katie,
Oops! Yes, the garlic is finely minced or put through a garlic press. I’ve updated the post with that info. 🙂
I met an outdoor salad vendor this weekend at OBT’s outdoor dance and movement event. She was serving delicious salads and I had one with raw circles of beet and slices of yellow bell pepper. It had a tangy lemon dressing and I loved it. Her business is called, The New Leaf and I suggested that she check out your website for more delicious recipes. She eagerly wrote it down. It was fun to share your site with a like-mined person!
Kimi, I would love to know if you have found a good Dijon-style-mustard? I’m not happy with the ingredients in the ones at the grocery store. Do you make your own, or do you have a good brand you use? Thank you! I love your site! 🙂
I know this post was in February, but I thought I’d share. We love the Eden brand Organic Brown Mustard. It is yummy!
Hi, I am adding this to my list of Fourth of July Recipes post. Thanks for having such good recipes.
I need to try this! I have quite a few cucumbers coming in from the garden and was trying to find something tasty to do with them.
Thanks
Linda
I’m back to print up the cucumber recipe and EAT IT ALL MYSELF! 🙂 haha.
Thank you for sharing