cucumber salad

Here’s a crisp, refreshing Cucumber Salad recipe — perfect as a side dish for grilled meats, summer meals, or light lunches. You can make it creamy, vinegary, or spicy depending on your preference!

---

🥒 Classic Cucumber Salad (Vinegar-Based)

Ingredients:

• 2 large cucumbers (or 4–5 small Persian cucumbers), thinly sliced

• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced

• ¼ cup white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

• 1 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)

• 2 tbsp water

• 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

---

Instructions:

1. Prep Cucumbers: Thinly slice cucumbers (peeling optional). Place in a colander and sprinkle with a little salt. Let sit for 10–15 minutes to release excess water, then pat dry with paper towels.

2. Mix Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together vinegar, sugar, water, salt, and pepper until sugar is dissolved.

3. Assemble Salad: In a mixing bowl, combine cucumbers, red onion, and dill. Pour dressing over and toss to coat.

4. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Serve cold.

---

🥛 Creamy Cucumber Salad (Optional Variation)

Additional Ingredients:

• ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

• 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 tbsp fresh dill or chives

• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

• Skip the vinegar-based dressing and mix cucumbers and onions with sour cream, vinegar, sugar, dill, salt, and pepper. Chill and serve.

---

🔥 Optional Add-Ins:

• Sliced cherry tomatoes

• Crumbled feta

• Sliced radishes

• A touch of garlic

• Crushed red pepper flakes for heat

Let me know if you want a Japanese-style, Thai spicy, or German sour cream cucumber salad instead!