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Marinated Cucumbers Onion & Vinegar Recipe (Cucumber Salad)

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Once late May hits in the south, the cucumbers start ripening on the vine. It is the time to enjoy one of the best summertime side dishes. Marinated cucumbers onion & vinegar is a great dish that is so simple and easy to make and a great way to use up those fresh veggies.

Marinated Cucumbers Onion & Vinegar

You can only eat cucumbers in so many ways. Fresh, sliced cucumber cut up on salads, in pasta salad, and there aren’t many more ways to enjoy them. That is why this easy cucumber salad is such a treat. Whip up this quick vinegar mixture and place it in a serving bowl and you are in business!

It gives you another option to use up all those fresh crisp cucumbers you have coming off the vines. There truly aren’t many things better on a hot summer day.

Why You’ll Love Marinated Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar

  • Refreshing and Crisp: The cool cucumbers are a refreshing side dish in the summertime.
  • Tangy flavor: The vinegar adds a tangy punch that balances out the sweetness of the onions and the cucumbers.
  • Healthy: Marinated cucumbers and onions in vinegar make a healthy snack that is low-carb and keto-friendly. It fits into most diet needs.
  • Nostalgic Southern Flavor: For those who grew up in the South, Marinated Cucumbers, Onion, & Vinegar recipe can bring back memories of your childhood when your mom or grandmother made this same dish.

What Do Old Fashioned Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar Taste Like?

The sweetness of the fresh cucumbers combined with the tart and acidic nature of the white vinegar. Cut up a sweet onion and add a little bit of sugar to help cut the acid in the vinegar and you have the basic recipe.

You could stop right there and you would have an easy cucumber salad recipe, but we like to add in a few fresh herbs to heighten the flavor. Below we will go over all the ingredients we like to use for the best results for this simple recipe. 

If you love this recipe, you are going to love Spicy Cucumber salad. It is a slightly different take on this recipe. It adds a tangy dressing and the kick of red pepper flakes.

What You Need to Make this Recipe

You’ll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post, but let’s go over the basics:

Ingredients for Old Fashioned Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar

Cucumbers: Use fresh, vine-ripe cucumbers for the best flavor, ideally straight from the garden or a local farmers’ market. Alternatively, English cucumbers are a great choice with thinner skin, fewer seeds, and a slightly sweeter taste. You can leave the skin on English cucumbers and adjust to using two large ones if needed.

picture of a bunch of cumcumbers.
Cucumbers |Photo by Karolina Grabowska

Onion: For best results, use sweet onions like Vidalia, though they’re seasonal. Red onions offer a striking color contrast but have a sharper flavor. White onions are a good alternative if others aren’t available. Any onion type will work, so don’t let the choice hold you back.

white onions sitting on a table.
Onion | Photo Courtesy of Pixbay

White Vinegar: Traditionally, white vinegar was used for this dish, but apple cider or red wine vinegar also works, though they slightly change the flavor.

Water: I like to cut the vinegar half in half with water. So if you use 1 cup of vinegar, I like to use 1 cup of water. 

Salt: For optimal flavor, use Kosher or sea salt. These varieties enhance dishes without overpowering them, unlike iodized table salt, which can taste too salty and alter the overall flavor.

Black Ground Pepper: A staple in most dishes, black pepper adds mild heat. If you prefer a less spicy blend, reduce the amount of cayenne and black pepper to taste.

Optional Ingredients

Dill Weed: Traditional pickles will have dill weed as the dill pickle flavor. I like to keep fresh dill growing in my AeroGarden on my kitchen countertop to use in dishes such as this or fish dishes. Dill is not a potent herb but it adds a hint of fresh flavor to the dish. 

Sugar: You can use white sugar or Organic Cane sugar. Sugar helps to cut the acid of the vinegar. Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar to your liking.  

Fresh Lemon, Squeezed: The fresh lemon gives the dish some brightness. If you don’t have it no need to worry. 

up close picture of lemons.
Lemons

Celery seed: This is another ingredient that adds a bit of flavor but again, you don’t have to add this. 

Olive Oil: You could also add a little olive oil or even vegetable oil to the marinated cucumbers onion & vinegar recipe.

Equipment You’ll Need

To make marinated cucumbers and onions in vinegar, you’ll need the following equipment:

  1. Cutting board – For slicing the cucumbers and onions.
  2. Sharp knife – To slice the vegetables thinly and evenly.
  3. Mixing bowl – A large enough bowl to combine the cucumbers, onions, and vinegar mixture.
  4. Measuring cups/spoons – For measuring vinegar, sugar, salt, and any other seasonings.
  5. Whisk or spoon – To mix the vinegar, sugar, salt, and other ingredients.
  6. Jar or airtight container – For storing the marinated cucumbers and onions in the refrigerator to let the flavors develop.
  7. Peeler (optional) – If you prefer to peel the cucumbers before slicing.

This basic setup allows you to whip up the dish effortlessly! Be sure to visit our page on top kitchen essentials for my recommended brands and tools.

How to Make Cucumbers In Vinegar Salad

Step-by-step Instructions

  • Step 1: Slice cucumbers up into thin slices. You can use either a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer. Both will work great for this process. Set to the side.
  • Step 2: Slice the onions up into thin slices. You can use either a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer for this process as well. Set to the side. 
  • Step 3: In a medium-sized bowl, add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Try to dissolve the sugar and salt. 
  • Step 4: Next, add the sliced cucumber and onions to the bowl. 
  • Step 5: Place the cucumber onions and vinegar recipe into the refrigerator until they are chilled. Once they have chilled, they are ready to be eaten. 

What Does the Marinated Cucumbers, onions, and vinegar recipe go with?

There are many dishes that you can serve this cucumber salad dish with, really it goes well with any type of protein:

Cucumber salad in a Pyrex bowl sitting on a table for pintrest.

FAQ’s

Is this dish healthy?

Yes, this is a healthy dish. If you want to make it, healthier you could eliminate the sugar. 

How long do you soak the cucumbers in vinegar? 

Technically you could eat them right away after you have combined the ingredients. I like to let them get chilled as I think it is best that way. The longer you let it soak, the stronger the flavor will be in the cucumbers and onions.

Can I make this a Creamy Cucumber Salad?

Yes. You could make a creamy version of this dish by making a base of sour cream or mayo, herbs, salt, and pepper. Then mix it in the cucumbers and onions. This also makes a great side dish as well. 

Can I Store the leftovers?

You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The longer they store, the stronger the flavor will be and the cucumbers will start to lose their crispness. 

Is this dish keto-friendly?

If you leave out the sugar, the dish will be keto-friendly. 

What Vinegar is best to use for this dish?

I prefer white vinegar but you could use apple cider or red wine vinegar as well. Some people even use rice vinegar but I don’t have any experience with that type of vinegar.

What Other Names Does This Dish Go By?

This dish goes by a few different names depending on where you live.

  • Quick Pickles
  • Cucumbers Vinegar Salad
  • Cucumbers In Vinegar Salad
  • Cucumbers In Vinegar
  • Marinated Cucumbers
  • Cucumber and Vinegar recipe
  • Vinegar Cucumbers
  • Cucumber and onion in vinegar
  • Cucumber and Vinegar Salad
  • Overnight Cucumbers
  • Onion and Cucumbers
  • Cucumber and Onions with Vinegar
  • Cucumber salad
  • Pipino With Suka
  • Ensaladang Pipino
  • Asian Pickled Cucumber

What about other Cucumber Salad Variations?

If you are looking for a Cucumber Salad Variation, try this Spicy Cucumber Salad. It is very quick and easy to make as well.

I hope you really enjoyed this article on Marinated Cucumbers Onion & Vinegar Recipe. Please leave me feedback and let me know what you think!

-Ronnie | Let’s Get Food Junked

Also, check out one of these recipes:

Marinade for Smoked Beef Jerky
Chicken Bog | A Traditional South Carolina Dish
Southern Food Junkie Chili
Brunswick Stew
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Click here for the recipe for Cucumber Salad!

Yield: 6 People

Marinated Cucumbers Onion & Vinegar Recipe (Cucumber Salad)

This image shows a closeup of Cucumbers Onions & Vinegar recipe also known as Cucumber Salad.

The sweetness of the fresh cucumbers combined with the tart and acidic nature of the white vinegar. Cut up a sweet onion and add a little bit of sugar to help cut the acid in the vinegar and you have the basic recipe.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 cucumbers
  • 1 onion
  • 1 cup vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon dill weed
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar
  • 1/2 fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Slice Cucumber. If you prefer you can peel them as well.
  2. Slice onion
  3. mix water, vinegar, sugar, lemon juice, dill weed, salt, and pepper in a bowl
  4. Add in onions and Cucumbers
  5. Set in the refrigerator for an hour or two before eating.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1 grams

Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g

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