Name: Pickled Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1¼ cups white vinegar; ⅔ cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon celery seed; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes; 2 large thinly sliced fresh cucumbers; 1 cup thinly sliced red onion; 4 sprigs fresh dill (I chose to trim the stalks off and left only the dill fronds)

Recipe card showing ingredients and steps to make pickled cucumber salad in a mason jar

This pickled cucumber salad brings a crisp, tangy crunch to any meal. Make it fast with fresh cucumbers, onions, and vinegar.

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Table of Contents

Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How to Make Pickled Cucumber Salad
How To Serve Pickled Cucumber Salad
Why You'll Love This Easy Pickled Cucumber Recipe
Recipe FAQ
Serving FAQ
Storage FAQ
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Table of Contents

This pickled cucumber salad brings crisp flavor and bright crunch to any meal or backyard cookout. You only need a few simple ingredients to make this refreshing side dish at home. The tangy vinegar and sugar combo makes every bite pop. Serve it cold and watch it disappear fast!

This recipe is quick and easy, and you can follow the full guide just below. We added step-by-step photos and directions so nothing feels confusing. Look for pro tips, tricks, and answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you get it just right.

Close-up mason jar of pickled cucumber salad with red onions and dill against a white tile background

More Recipes ⭐ Fried Pickles | Amish Macaroni Salad | Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

This pickled cucumber salad comes together fast and brings a fresh, crunchy bite to any meal or gathering. It’s cool, zesty, and always a crowd favorite at potlucks or family dinners.

Crisp cucumbers soak up sweet and tangy flavor with every bite. Serve it cold and watch it disappear in minutes!

Ingredients

What you'll need to make this pickled cucumber recipe:

1¼ cups of white vinegar
⅔ cup of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of kosher salt
1 teaspoon of celery seed
¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
2 large thinly sliced fresh cucumbers
1 cup of thinly sliced red onion
4 sprigs of fresh dill (I chose to trim the stalks off and left only the dill fronds)

Substitutions and Additions

Make your pickled cucumber salad your own by switching up a few ingredients or tossing in something extra! Try these easy swaps and add-ins to mix things up:

Spicy: Add more red pepper flakes if you like your pickled cucumber salad with extra heat.

Dill: Swap in dried dill for fresh, or leave it out completely if you’re not a fan.

Vinegar: Use apple cider vinegar instead of white, but expect a slight change in the color of the marinade.

Onion: Choose sweet yellow onion or red onion—either one works great, so go with your favorite.

How to Make Pickled Cucumber Salad

Follow along with our step-by-step pictures to make pickles at home. Check out the tips and tricks below to help you get it just right. Let’s get started!

FIRST STEP: Add the vinegar, sugar, salt, celery seed, and red pepper flakes to a 2 to 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat.

Stir the vinegar mixture constantly until the sugar completely dissolves.

Remove the pan from the heat. Allow the vinegar mixture to rest for 10 to 15 minutes until completely cooled.

Vinegar, sugar, salt, celery seed, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan being stirred with a spoon

SECOND STEP: Alternate layers of the cucumber slices, onion slices, and fresh dill in the quart canning jar.

Pro Tip

You can use a vegetable peeler or sharp knife to remove alternate strips of the cucumber skin. The color on the skin of the cucumber, just like the red of the red onion, will bleed and slightly change the color of the salad marinade.

Step-by-step photo showing how to layer cucumber, onion, and dill in a mason jar

THIRD STEP: STEP THREE: Once the vinegar brine mixture is cooled, slowly pour over the cucumber and onion. Allow the salad to marinate for 15 minutes before serving.

Pro Tip

You can also make this salad ahead of time and allow it to marinate in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

Vinegar and spice mixture being poured over sliced cucumber, onion, and dill in a jar

Pro Tip

This will keep for up to a month in the jar. Double or triple your recipe to use up all the cucumbers from your garden.

How To Serve Pickled Cucumber Salad

You can serve this quick pickled cucumber salad in so many fun and tasty ways. It works great for family meals, parties, or summer cookouts.

Perfect for summer barbecues: This cold cucumber salad brings a cool crunch to fried meats or a Reuben sandwich. Pair it with BBQ chicken sliders or baked beans.
Easy side for weeknight dinners: It adds fresh flavor to simple meals without a lot of prep. Try it with sloppy joes or cheesy beef and rice bake.
Tasty option for potlucks or picnics: Since it travels well and holds up, it's great for big gatherings. Serve it with slow cooker Coca-Cola chicken or deviled eggs.

Glass jar of cucumber salad surrounded by fresh dill and white plates in the background

Why You'll Love This Easy Pickled Cucumber Recipe

This quick pickled cucumber salad has been a reader favorite for good reason. It’s fast, fresh, and adds the perfect crunch to any meal. Plus, it works for just about any season or occasion.

Easy to Make: You only need a few basic ingredients, and the steps are simple enough for anyone to follow.
Big on Flavor: Every bite hits with that perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and a little bit of zip.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can whip it up early and chill it until you're ready to serve—no stress at mealtime.
Always Crowd-Pleasing: This one goes fast at parties, picnics, and even weekday dinners with the family.
Crisp and Refreshing: The cold crunch of cucumbers makes this side dish extra refreshing on hot days.
Budget-Friendly: It uses ingredients you already have at home, so you save money while still making something tasty.
Customizable: You can tweak the spice, herbs, or vinegar and still get a great result every time.

Our readers keep coming back for this one—and once you try it, you’ll see why!

Mason jar of cucumber salad with overlay text reading "Pickled Cucumber Salad – Fresh and So Simple!"

Recipe FAQ

Can I peel the cucumbers before making pickled cucumber salad?
Yes, you can peel the cucumbers before making pickled cucumbers if you prefer a softer texture without the skin.

Do I need to salt the cucumbers first?
No, you don’t need to salt the cucumbers first. The vinegar mixture gives enough flavor without extra steps.

How thin should I slice the cucumbers for this salad?
Slice the cucumbers thin, about ⅛ inch, so they soak up the vinegar mixture quickly and stay crisp.

Can I double this pickled cucumber salad recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe. Just make sure to evenly mix the dressing across all the cucumbers and onions.

Should I use English cucumbers or regular cucumbers?
You can use either English or regular cucumbers for this recipe. Both taste great, so pick the one you prefer.

Can I use a mandoline slicer to cut the cucumbers?
Yes, a mandoline slicer works well for this recipe. It gives even slices and saves time in the kitchen.

What type of onion works best for pickled cucumber salad?
Both red onion and sweet yellow onion work well. Pick the one you like for a milder or sharper taste.

Do I need to boil the vinegar mixture before adding it?
No, you don’t need to boil the vinegar mixture. Stir it well until the sugar fully dissolves.

Can kids eat pickled cucumber salad?
Yes, kids can enjoy pickled cucumber salad. It has a light tang and a little sweetness that many kids like.

Why does my salad taste too sour?
If your salad tastes too sour, try adding a bit more sugar and stir again until the flavor balances out.

White plate with sliced cucumbers, red onions, dill, and red pepper flakes

Serving FAQ

Can I serve pickled cucumber in individual cups?
Yes, small cups work great for single servings. They look fun and make cleanup easy after parties or cookouts.

What time of year is best to serve pickled cucumber salad?
This salad fits perfectly with spring and summer meals when you want something crisp, cool, and refreshing.

Does pickled cucumber salad work well at large gatherings?
Yes, it’s easy to prep in big batches, and guests can scoop as much or as little as they like.

Is pickled cucumber salad good for brunch or lunch?
Yes, it’s light and zippy, which makes it a fun contrast to rich brunch dishes or simple lunch plates.

Can I bring pickled cucumber salad to a potluck?
Absolutely, it travels well and doesn't need to stay hot. Just pack it cold and serve straight from the container.

Will adults enjoy pickled cucumber salad at dinner parties?
Yes, grown-ups love the mix of tang and crunch. It’s a nice way to brighten up a heavy meal.

Serving bowl of cucumber salad next to mason jar filled with pickled cucumbers and herbs

Storage FAQ

Storing this pickled cucumber salad the right way helps keep it crisp and tasty, even after a few days. Here’s how to store it:

In the fridge:
Keep any leftover cucumber and onion salad in a quart mason jar in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to one month. Over time, the red onion may tint the marinade.

In the freezer:
Don’t freeze this salad. The cucumbers and onions will turn soggy and lose their crisp texture.