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A Very Easy Cucumber and Fresh Dill Salad

Perfect for summertime-cool and refreshing. Important to use the freshest ingredients! From Domino Magazine, June 2006.

4.5 · 2 reviewsRecipe card by COOKGIRlEditorial by recipesvibrant · Updated October 15, 2026
VeganPotluckSummer< 30 MinsEasy
A Very Easy Cucumber and Fresh Dill Salad

Total time

18 min

Servings

1

Calories

119.8

Category

Vegetable

This Very Easy Cucumber and Fresh Dill Salad is a crisp, cooling side dish that highlights the sharp herbal notes of fresh greens. It is the perfect solo-sized portion for a light lunch or a quick, elegant addition to a summer afternoon spread.

Ingredients

Makes 1 serving

  • 1/2 fresh dill
  • 1/2 cucumbers
  • 1/2 salt
  • 2 black pepper

Method

  1. *NOTE: If the cucumbers are organic, or at least not waxed, peeling them is optional.

  2. In a small saucepan on medium heat, warm the vinegar and sugar together until the sugar dissolves.

  3. Set liquid aside to cool.

  4. Chop the dill.

  5. Slice the cucumber very thinly and arrange in layers on a shallow, non-reactive platter with sloped edges.

  6. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and garnish with the fresh dill.

  7. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers.

  8. Let marinate at least 1 hour or overnight.

  9. Yield is estimated.

Cook's notes

  • Use a mandoline slicer set to the thinnest setting to achieve translucent cucumber rounds that absorb the dressing evenly.
  • Always use a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel platter for this recipe, as acidic vinegar can react negatively with reactive metals.
  • Wait until the vinegar-sugar mixture is completely cool before drizzling to ensure the cucumbers retain their signature crunch rather than wilting.
  • If using a standard cucumber with thick skin, use a vegetable peeler to remove strips of the peel to create a decorative striped effect.

Easy swaps

  • Instead of Fresh dill, use Fresh mintProvides a cooling, herbaceous profile that works exceptionally well with the vinegar acidity.
  • Instead of Sugar, use Agave nectarA liquid sweetener that dissolves instantly without needing to be warmed in a saucepan.
  • Instead of Standard vinegar, use Rice wine vinegarOffers a milder, slightly sweeter finish that balances the sharpness of the black pepper.
  • Instead of Black pepper, use Red pepper flakesAdds a vibrant visual pop and a subtle, lingering heat to the salad.

Frequently asked

Do I really need to heat the vinegar and sugar?

Heating helps the sugar dissolve completely into the vinegar, creating a smooth, emulsified dressing rather than a gritty one.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

You can prep the ingredients, but we recommend dressing the salad no more than 30 minutes before serving to maintain the best crunch.

Why use a platter with sloped edges?

The sloped edges allow the vinegary dressing to pool at the bottom, letting you easily scoop up extra flavor with every bite of cucumber.

Is this salad strictly for one serving?

Yes, this recipe is portioned for one, but you can easily scale the ingredients linearly if you decide to share.

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