Have you tried this recipe for simple healthy cucumber salad with chives yet? It’s super easy to make and only 19 calories per serving. It is fat-free, paleo-friendly, vegan and gluten-free.
I originally shared this recipe on May 20th, 2014. I have updated some of the text today. This post may contain affiliate links.
Is there such a thing as produce madness? If so I think I have that. The only way I can describe it, is that “I cannot help myself.” Its like those people who are addicted to buying stuff on QVC, I am pretty sure I have the local produce version of that. I need help!
This week I walked into Healthy Living and bought four pints of strawberries for no reason other than I felt like I needed them so badly! {I may or may not have eaten one of them with my lunch today.} And earlier today, I went down to our local market and bought four local beautiful European cucumbers without any particular plan as to what to do with them. I literally feel like I cannot help myself.
I mean I say I have no plans as to what I will do with the four cucumbers, but we are going into the holiday weekend, and I will surely have opportunities to make a giant cucumber salad to share with everyone. All of my cousins from Texas are here and there will surely be lots of shenanigans. You can never go wrong with a simple healthy cucumber salad. Or if I am feeling a bit more fancy, I would be into making my 15 minute Greek Cucumber Salad with Grilled Marinated Chicken.
As for the strawberries, I am thinking of making something boozy, like this Strawberry Ginger Pink Lemonade Cocktail or perhaps a rhubarb and strawberry shortcake. DId I mention that I also happened to careen off the side of the road yesterday to buy local asparagus, rhubarb and garlic scapes? {See, produce madness is real!}
How to Make Cucumber Salad
This healthy cucumber salad recipe is so easy to make that it hardly counts as a real recipe. But I do have a couple tips to share with you all.
- The Dressing: Mix the dressing in the bowl first. This helps save dishes and time!
- Rice Vinegar: The dressing consists mostly of rice vinegar. I prefer it because it is more mild and totally neutral in flavor. Make sure you buy the kind that is unseasoned. If you’re not sure, check the ingredients. It should be free of sugar or salt. If you don’t have it, sub in red wine vinegar.
- Sugar: I like to add a tiny bit of sugar to this cucumber salad. It is almost imperceptible, but it helps to balance the acidity of the vinegar and makes the cucumbers taste even more cucumbery. (Yes, I know that’s not a word- but you know what I mean, and I cannot think of a better way of describing it.)
- Add Chives: I like to have chives in my cucumber salad, but you could use another herb. Basil or lemon basil would be a lovely addition like in my clean eating cucumber noodles recipe. Or you could use a small amount of dill or fresh oregano.
- Cut Cucumbers Thinly: The key to this simple salad is slicing the cucumbers as thinly as you can. You can use a mandoline like this or you can slice the cukes with a good sharp chef’s knife.
- Stir and Serve: Once all the cucumbers are sliced, add them to the dressing in the bowl and stir everything to coat. Serve right away.
See? This is the perfect non-recipe kind of recipe.
Can you Make Cucumber Salad Ahead?
I do not recommend it. Because of their high water content, cucumbers let off their water when they are sliced and come in contact with salt or anything salty.
If you do have leftovers I recommend using a slotted spoon to serve the leftovers, as there will be a lot of water on the bottom of the bowl.
Don’t miss this Ultimate Guide to Cucumbers!
More Healthy Salad Recipes:
I am head over heels for this Grilled Corn and Chickpea Salad recipe. I hope you’ll try it!
If you haven’t already, this Cucumber Noodle and Napa Cabbage coleslaw recipe is super popular, and so delicious!
If you’re feeling adventurous, try this Creamy Blue Cheese Coleslaw with Walnuts. It’ll knock your socks off!
While my cousins are here I am planning to make Macaroni Salad. It’s a classic for a reason! Everyone loves it.
Thanks so much for reading. If you happen to make this recipe, please come back and let me know how it goes by leaving a star rating and review. Thanks so much!
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PinDescription
Simple healthy cucumber salad with chives and rice vinegar. Very easy to make and only 19 calories per serving. Fat-free, vegan and gluten-free.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives, optional
- 6 cups sliced cucumbers
Instructions
- Whisk vinegar, sugar and salt in a bowl. Stir in chives if using.
- Add cucumbers and toss to coat with the dressing.
Notes
If you have a thin skinned variety of cucumber, such as European or Lebanese, you do not need to peel them before slicing. If you have regular “garden” cucumbers, you can either peel them, or remove strips of the peel off with a vegetable peeler. This will result in a more pleasant and tender texture.
If you prefer to use another vinegar, I would recommend red wine vinegar.
You can omit the sugar if you are sugar free.
If you would prefer to add oil to this, use 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil.
This recipe does not keep well because the cucumbers become soft and let off their water. I recommend serving right away.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup each
- Calories: 19
- Sugar: 3 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
Keywords: healthy cucumber salad, quick cucumber salad, how to make cucumber salad, easy cucumber salad
Katie, this looks so simple and fresh! Love it!
Thank you Ari, it is a keeper for sure.
You’re so right! Sometimes we need a no brainer recipe to remind us about simple dishes. Simple, yet so delicious. I used to have this salad years ago 🙂 It’s time to bring it back.
Yes! Especially at this time of year when we get so busy it is great to have the fast and yummy ones at our fingertips.
Beautiful! Just pinned it. 🙂 Thank you for the link love!
Thank you for pinning Anne. And you are welcome for the link love. I always love hearing about your fitness and food adventures 😉
Perfect salad for summer months!
Oh thanks so much Ilona and so glad you came by for a visit.
lol don’t worry Katie, all of us bloggers have thrown up a recipe or two where we’ve wondered “is this too simple to even be a recipe?”, but I’m glad you decided to post this because it looks fresh, crisp, and totally perfect for Memorial Day 🙂
Glad to hear that you agree. I hope that’s the consensus. And yes about Memorial day! It would be perfect.
Superb pictures. Love cucumbers.
Why thank you so much Devi 🙂
It’s a lovely lazy-day salad. My wife could feast on this. Thanks for the recipe.
Who wants to spend a lot of time in the kitchen with great weather? Not even me. Easy recipes like this are mainstays in my kitchen! Thanks for visiting Joshua.
cucumber salads are my favorite. this looks great!
My daughters agree. They cheered when I told them we were having this for dinner.
I have always been crazy in love with cucumbers, they are just so wonderfully refreshing! I have got to try this, it looks fantastic!
Refreshing, yes totally true. They are so full of water. Great for hot days.
I’ve been accused of always making things too complicated, so with this post you’re inspiring me to make things simpler. I adore cucumbers and often times I just eat them whole with a little salt. This salad is right up my alley! Great post, Katie!
I buy Jane’s crazy mixed up salt, and just sprinkle it over cuke spears for snack all season long. Can I call that a recipe later this summer? Lol.
Katie, don’t apologize for posting a non-recipe recipe, not when it’s something good! My dad loved a simple dish of cucumber salad similar to this, and I had kind of forgotten about it till I saw this!
Aww thank you Jean. I love hearing that about your Dad. I hope you enjoy the memories while you make it again.
Looks amazing, Katie! Love the photo! We made similar salad in Ukraine all summers long – cucumbers, oil, vinegar, fresh dill and salt. To die for! And your cottage…congrats! A dream!
I love the idea of dill in this since cucumbers are always in season at the same time as dill.
What a fabulous combo! Chives and cucumbers sound deeelicious. Congrats on your cabin!
Thanks lady. It is a dream come true.
This is going to be my go-to salad!
Thanks so much Ally. I feel honored. 🙂
So simple and straightforward, yet fresh and packed with flavor. Love it!
Would ACV be okay to use or is rice vinegar a better choice? Thanks!
Yes apple cider vinegar will work. It will be stronger tasting, so you may want to use a little less (to taste.) Enjoy!!
Why does the Note say 0 mg added sugar when the recipe includes a teaspoon of sugar?
Thanks so much for pointing that out. It actually has 3g. I updated the recipe card. Hope you enjoy it!
I loved this salad as a child and am so glad I found your recipe! It’s wonderful!
★★★★★
I am thrilled to hear it Liz!
Perfect snack or side dish. I never think of having this at times of year other than summer, but why not???
★★★★★
It’s a summertime staple in our house!
This is a great low calorie snack and very tasteful. I made a few changes. I swapped the sugar for 1 packet of Stevia. I then added dill, and dashes of onion and garlic powder. The rest of the recipe remained the same. So good. Thank you for sharing.
★★★★★
How cool is it that you had a cucumber salad for a snack! Love that! Thanks for coming back to rate Chris. I appreciate it.
So simple, yet so delicious!
★★★★★
Such a simple classic, it’s nice to have just the right ratios of the ingredients! Thank you.
★★★★★
I don’t eat white sugar so we used some honey instead and it was delicious! I also really like a touch of sesame oil. Thanks for the inspiration!
★★★★★
Nothing better than a simple and fresh cucumber salad! Love the addition of chives!
★★★★★
There is nothing more refreshing than a cold cucumber salad in the summer. Yum!
★★★★★
so summer! What a great side for every meal!
★★★★★
I love this kind of salad – light, refreshing, and makes a good side dish to any meals.
★★★★★
So simple yet so refreshing! I love recipes like this!!
I love cucumber salad. It’s so perfect for hot summer. Totally love it!
★★★★★
This is the perfect summer salad. It’s perfect since it’s easy AND cooling. I’m in!
★★★★★
Fresh, delightful dish for summer! Garden cucumbers will be great in this. 🙂
★★★★★
I love super simple recipes in the summer and this definitely fits the bill, so perfect as a side to anything barbecued!
★★★★★