Best 4 Secret Crunchy Cucumber Salad Recipes

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Crispy Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish that's perfect for summer gatherings. Made with fresh cucumbers, red onions, and a tangy vinegar-based dressing, this salad is both light and satisfying. The secret to its amazing crunch is a unique combination of techniques: thinly sliced cucumbers are tossed with salt and sugar to draw out moisture, then rinsed and patted dry before being coated in a flavorful dressing. This process creates a salad that's crisp and refreshing, with a burst of flavor in every bite. This recipe also includes a variation for a creamy cucumber salad, made with Greek yogurt and mayonnaise for a rich and tangy twist. Both versions of this salad are easy to make and can be enjoyed as a side dish or as a light lunch or dinner. Whether you're looking for a refreshing summer salad or a simple and delicious side dish, Crispy Cucumber Salad is sure to be a hit.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

CREAMY CUCUMBER SALAD



Creamy Cucumber Salad image

Fresh dill and sour cream turn the summer staple into something cool, creamy and refreshing. Try this classic Midwestern salad with black bread and smoked salmon, or as a simple side for chicken or fish.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 cucumbers (about 2 1/2 pounds), peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
1 small sweet onion, thinly sliced into rings
Kosher salt
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons white vinegar
Freshly cracked black pepper

Steps:

  • Put a large colander in a large bowl. Add the cucumbers and onions to the colander, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon salt and toss until the salt is evenly distributed. Let stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours.
  • Transfer the cucumbers and onions from the colander to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and pat them dry with another layer of paper towels.
  • Whisk together the sour cream, dill, vinegar and a few cracks of black pepper in a medium bowl. Add the cucumbers and onions and toss until coated.
  • To make ahead: Salt and pat dry the cucumbers and onions as above, then keep separate from the dressing until ready to serve.

SECRET CRUNCHY CUCUMBER SALAD



Secret Crunchy Cucumber Salad image

This has a secret to keeping the cucumbers crispy. My youngest daughter loves this salad and asks for it all the time. I know there are so many good versions of this, but I always come back to this one. The red bell peppers gives it that extra fresh flavor. This is so good and keeps its crunch, thanks to the secret I learned long...

Provided by Tammy T

Categories     Other Salads

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 medium cucumbers peeled and thin sliced
1 Tbsp salt
3 c ice water (ice cubes in water)
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 small red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 c sour cream
2 Tbsp white vinegar
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp black pepper

Steps:

  • 1. In a large bowl combine the sliced cucumbers, salt and ice water. Cover and chill for 1 hour. This is what keeps your cucumbers crisp! After an hour of chilling, drain and return cucumbers to the bowl and add the remaining ingredients.
  • 2. Mix well, cover again and let chill for at least 2 hours. Enjoy!

CUCUMBER SALAD



Cucumber Salad image

This is the creamy cucumber salad recipe we've been making forever. It's the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy and it goes well with nearly every main dish. It's super simple to make and is always a hit!

Provided by Kristen Stevens

Categories     Salad

Time 5m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 English cucumber (sliced into rounds)
3 tablespoons plain thick yogurt (can sub mayo for dairy-free)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (can be light)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or 1 teaspoon white vinegar)
¼ cup minced red onion
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon sea salt

Steps:

  • Slice the cucumber and place the rounds into a medium-sized bowl.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 ¼ cups, Calories 71 kcal, Sugar 2 g, Sodium 196 mg, Fat 5 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, TransFat 1 g, Carbohydrate 4 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 2 g, Cholesterol 4 mg, UnsaturatedFat 4 g

CRUNCHY CUCUMBER SALAD



Crunchy cucumber salad image

These zingy flavours combine really well with the cool taste of cucumber

Provided by John Torode

Categories     Lunch, Side dish

Time 15m

Yield Serves 6 as a side dish

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 small shallot
25g enoki mushroom (available from larger supermarkets or Asian stores)
2 spring onions , thinly sliced diagonally
1 red chilli , deseeded if you like and thinly sliced
2 cucumber
25g beansprouts
2 tsp lime juice
2 tsp white wine vinegar
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp caster sugar
1 tbsp sesame seeds

Steps:

  • Thinly slice the shallot and place half in a bowl. The remainder can be fried and used as a garnish, if you like (see below). Add the mushrooms, spring onions and chilli to the bowl, then cover and leave in the fridge until ready to serve.
  • Just before serving, slice the cucumber into long, thin strips (try using a vegetable peeler to get really thin slices). Toss together with the remaining salad ingredients. Mix together all the dressing ingredients, leave to one side for 5 mins to let the sugar dissolve, then toss half the dressing through the salad. Place in a serving dish and top with the remaining dressing and fried shallots, if you like.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 49 calories, Fat 3 grams fat, Carbohydrate 5 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 4 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 2 grams protein, Sodium 0.5 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Choose the right cucumbers: English or Persian cucumbers work best for this salad as they have fewer seeds and a thinner skin.
  • Slice the cucumbers thinly: This will help them absorb the dressing better and make them more crunchy.
  • Use a flavorful vinegar: Rice vinegar, white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar are all good options. Avoid using balsamic vinegar as it is too sweet for this salad.
  • Add some sweetness: A little bit of sugar or honey will help to balance out the acidity of the vinegar.
  • Use fresh herbs: Dill, parsley, and chives are all great additions to this salad. If you don't have any fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs instead.
  • Let the salad marinate: This will allow the flavors to meld together and make the salad even more delicious. You can marinate the salad for as little as 30 minutes or for up to overnight.

Conclusion:

This crunchy cucumber salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy salad, give this recipe a try!

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