Apple Cucumber Salad
This Apple Cucumber Salad has a delicious homemade honey and lemon dressing over the top. Serve fresh or allow it to chill!
Apple Cucumber Salad
This Apple Cucumber Salad is a simple and refreshing side dish that’s perfect for hot summer days or when you want a quick, healthy side.
It’s a combo of apples, cucumbers, and red onions all mixed together with a delicious lemon honey dressing.
If you need a side for that summer BBQ or potluck, this is a great dish to bring!
Ingredients
Apples: Use a sweet variety like Gala or Fuji or Granny Smith for a more tart flavor.
Cucumber: English cucumbers are ideal for this salad since they have fewer seeds and a thinner skin.
Red Onion: Slice the red onion as thin as possible to keep the flavor from being too overpowering. If you’re sensitive to onion’s strong taste, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow it out.
Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice will give the salad the best flavor. Bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch, but fresh juice really makes a difference.
Honey: Use pure honey for the best taste. If you prefer a less sweet dressing, start with a little less honey and adjust to your taste.
Salt and Pepper: Season the salad to taste, but don’t overdo it—just a pinch of salt and a couple cracks of fresh pepper are enough to bring out the flavors.
Fresh Parsley: If you’re not a fan of parsley, fresh mint can be a nice alternative.
How to Make
In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, sliced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion.
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and honey until well combined.
Drizzle the honey-lemon dressing over the apple-cucumber mixture and toss gently to coat.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
If desired, garnish with fresh parsley.
Serve immediately, or chill the salad for 10 minutes before serving for added freshness.
Tips & Tricks
Use a mandoline slicer for the cucumber and onion to get even, thin slices quickly.
To save time, prep the ingredients the night before and store them separately in the fridge.
If you’re making this for a crowd, double the recipe and serve it in a large bowl to keep things easy.
If you’re sensitive to the onion’s strong flavor, let the red onion soak in ice water for a few minutes before adding it to the salad.
Leftovers/Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
This salad is best served fresh and I don’t recommend freezing due to the cucumbers.
F.A.Q.
How do I keep the apples from browning?
Toss the apples in lemon juice immediately after slicing to prevent browning.
Can I use another herb besides parsley?
Yes, dill or basil can be used to give the salad a unique twist.
What should I do if my dressing is too sweet?
Add a bit more lemon juice or salt to balance the sweetness.
Apple Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples cored and diced
- 1 large cucumber sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, cucumber slices, and red onion.2 medium apples, 1 large cucumber, 1/4 cup red onion
- In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice and honey until well combined.1 Tablespoon lemon juice, 1 Tablespoon honey
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately or chill for 10 minutes before serving for added freshness.Salt and pepper, Fresh parsley
Please note that the nutritional content of this recipe will vary based on the specific ingredients used. For a detailed breakdown of the nutritional values, consider using a recipe nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you’ve used.
