Old Fashioned Cucumber and Onion Salad (no sugar added!)

This old-fashioned cucumber and onion salad is the perfect 5-minute summer side or sandwich topping! It’s made with simple ingredients without added sugar: just apple cider vinegar and sea salt. Every bite is crunchy and full of fresh flavor. I hope you love it as much as we do!

This post may contain affiliate links of items I know and love. Read our disclosure policy for more information. I NEVER use AI (artificial intelligence) to create content for Plum Branch Home. Recipes, blog posts, photos, videos, podcasts, social media content: everything is made from scratch by me, Molly LaFontaine. After developing my recipes, they’re tested 2x by my husband, Tyler, and I before publishing. What you see from Plum Branch Home is real. It’s made for a reason, tested, and loved!

I developed this recipe one day when the Tennessee heat was too hot to turn on the oven. We wanted something fresh to add to our cold turkey breast sourdough sandwiches. I had already added a little lettuce, but it seemed like it needed something else.

I had just bought a few cucumbers from the grocery store, so I got the idea to mix them with onions and add a little vinegar for freshness. It was a huge hit with my husband!

So I got back in the kitchen and perfected my recipe for the blog. I’m so excited to share my version with you!

Old Fashioned Cucumber and Onion Salad

Cucumber and onion salad is old-fashioned for a reason. It’s a type of recipe that’s passed down from generation to generation. It’s a down-home side dish that many of our grandparents and parents have enjoyed for years! These simple recipes are some of the very best.

Why You’ll Love My Cucumber Onion Salad

• Quick Side Dish: This recipe only takes 5 minutes max!
• Perfect for Summer: With the seasonal produce, simple ingredients, and cold temperature, this dish is perfect for summer.
• Wholesome Ingredients: You’re only using a cucumber, onion, sea salt, and apple cider vinegar. That’s it! Only 4 ingredients.
• No Sugar Added: My recipe doesn’t include any sugar. It keeps the dish so refreshing.
• Easy Steps: There are only a few steps in this recipe, and they’re all so simple. You’re just slicing and mixing things together.
• Great for Making Ahead: Because the vinegar helps preserve the cucumbers and onions, you can make this a few days up to 1 week ahead!

Molly’s Tips for Making Cucumber Onion Salad

• Use an English cucumber for easy slicing and the best look.
• I recommend using a yellow onion. They have the best flavor for this salad.
• Use a raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar for the best taste. Plus, it’s wholesome!
• Using a mandolin makes this recipe even easier! I highly recommend getting one.

Ingredients You’ll Need (with notes)

Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for measurements.

• cucumber: I recommend using an English cucumber. They’re long and seedless
• onion: I recommend using a yellow onion. Organic is my favorite
• sea salt: you can also use regular salt if you choose
• apple cider vinegar: I like to use a raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar

Helpful Kitchen Tools for this Recipe

This section contains Amazon affiliate links to items I use and love for this recipe.

• mandolin slicer (optional but highly recommended!)
• glass mixing bowl

How to Make Cucumber and Onion Salad

Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for the full written recipe.

Rinse the cucumber with water and pat dry.

Cut cucumber in half (store one half away). Slice the other half as thin as you can, with a knife or mandolin, into coins. No need to remove the skin. Add to a mixing bowl.

Cut an onion in half (store one half away). Slice the other half into strips as thin as you can with a knife or mandolin. Add to the mixing bowl.

Add salt and apple cider vinegar to the mixing bowl.

Stir to combine and serve right away or chill until ready to enjoy!

Video Tutorial

Best Ways to Serve Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar

You can serve this cold cucumber salad in so many ways. It’s perfect to eat by itself for a refreshing snack, as a cold summer side dish, or even as a sandwich topping.

My husband and I love it on cold turkey breast sandwiches. I toast 2 slices of homemade sourdough bread then add in organic cold turkey breast, lettuce, and cucumber onion salad. You can even add a little mayo; we do that sometimes. It’s the perfect summer lunch!

How to Store Cucumber Onion Salad

Store this salad in an airtight, preferably glass, container in your fridge for up to 1 week. As the week goes by, the vinegar will give the mixture a little bit of a pickled flavor. It’s delicious!

Substitutions & Additions to Make it Your Own

You can make this recipe your own by adding a little sugar, ground black pepper, tomato (my mom’s favorite), and even sour cream if you choose. This recipe is very customizable but perfect as is!

Frequently Asked Questions

More Summer Recipes To Try

If you’re looking for more summer recipes, try a few of these recipes:

• Homemade Honey Watermelon Sorbet
• Icebox Peach Tart (with a no-bake crust!)
• Peach Trifle in Mason Jars (with Sourdough Cake!)
• American Flag Taco Dip (Made From Scratch)
• BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza (Grilled or Baked)
• Nonalcoholic Mint Julep Punch (made from scratch)
• Sheet Pan Chipotle Chicken Peach Tacos

If you made this recipe, give it a 5-star rating below and share a photo on your social media stories! Be sure to tag @plumbranchhome