The Easiest Tangy Cucumber Salad

updated Sep 22, 2022
summer
(8)
Tangy Cucumber Salad
A light, fresh salad of quick-pickled cucumbers and chopped fresh chives that's perfect for your next potluck or barbecue.

Serves4 to 6

Prep5 minutes

Jump to Recipe
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

When you crave a light side dish that won’t weigh down the rest of your dinner but still has enough punch to stand out on its own, make this salad. Quick-pickling the cucumbers with cider vinegar and a little sugar gives them the vibrancy they’re all too often missing.

Tossed with nothing more than a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and lots of chopped fresh chives, the cucumber slices transform into a simple salad that’s the perfect counterpart for grilled meat or fish.

Tangy Cucumber Salad

A Simple Salad to Kick Off Grilling Season

To me, this salad sings of grilling season. It’s a light, refreshing addition to whatever you happen to toss on the grill in the evening, be it steak, chicken, fish, or even just a slew of grilled vegetables.

Toss it together at the beginning of dinner prep, and let it sit and marinate while you prepare the grilled goods. And since it does need a little time for the flavors to marry, you can make it in advance, as it will continue to get better over a few hours or even overnight.

(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

Tangy Cucumber Salad

A light, fresh salad of quick-pickled cucumbers and chopped fresh chives that's perfect for your next potluck or barbecue.

Prep time 5 minutes

Serves4 to 6

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup

    apple cider vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons

    olive oil

  • 2 teaspoons

    granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon

    kosher salt, plus more as needed

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 pounds

    cucumbers (about 4 medium)

  • 2 tablespoons

    finely chopped fresh chives

Instructions

  1. Place the vinegar, oil, sugar, salt, and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Thinly slice the cucumbers crosswise. Place them in the bowl, add the chives, and toss to combine.

  2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed before serving.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Want More?

Get the Kitchn Daily in your inbox.