Whenever summer rolls around I start looking for cold side dishes. We don't have air conditioning so I'm not a fan of having hot sides because chances are I'm already hot. That means lots of pasta salads, green salads, and potato salads. I try to find things that are a little bit healthier but it isn't always easy. I know good old veggies and dip are always a decent side dip, healthy, and easy to make.
Another thing I make a lot of in the summer is this Easy Cucumber Onion Salad. Before I met my husband the only Cucumber Onion Salads I had seen had creamy dressings on them which turns a healthy side dish into a fattening one. This one has only vinegar for the dressing and is super healthy.
It's also super easy because it only has 6 ingredients and that's if you count the salt and pepper which a lot of people don't. I've found that sprinkling the cucumbers and onions with salt, pepper, and garlic before I pour the vinegar on them helps to flavor the vegetables. I also like to let it sit for an hour or two before I serve it.
This is one of my husband's absolute favorite summer side dish recipe. I love it because I can whip it up in just a few minutes. I don't eat too much of it but it is growing on me. I've seen people add tomatoes to it as well so if you like them, feel free!
- 4 cucumbers
- 1 sweet onion
- 2 t. salt
- 2 t. black pepper
- 2 t. garlic powder
- ½ c. red wine vinegar
- Cut the ends off of the cucumbers and then slice them into half inch thick slices. Set aside.
- Cut the onion into thin slices.
- In a medium sized container layer the bottom with the cucumber slices then put ¼ of the onion slices on top. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar on top.
- Repeat these layers 3 more times until all ingredients are used.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours then serve chilled.
Summer Salads
- Broccoli Waldorf Salad by Art of Natural Living
- Easy Cucumber Onion Salad by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Fresh Summer Corn Salad by Home Sweet Homestead
- Layered Salad with Green Goddess Dressing by Delaware Girl Eats
- Lephet Thoke (Burmese Fermented Tea Leaf Salad) by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Salmon Salad by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Salatet Fool Akhdar - Libyan Bean and Artichoke Salad by Pandemonium Noshery
- Tex-Mex Steak Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
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April
This is a summertime favorite at my house, when garden fresh cucumbers are in season. It's the perfect cold side dish when the weather is hot.
Inger @ art of natural living
We get sooo many CSA cucumbers. This will be great!
cathy branciaroli
Can't help but enjoy a good salad even if it;'s raining here on the Eastern Shore of MD
Wendy Klik
Love cucumber season and always looking for new ways to serve them. Thanks