Thinly sliced cucumbers, red onion, and fresh herbs in a bright vinegar dressing. Crisp, tangy, and lightly sweet.
# Components:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 lb English cucumbers or 3 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - ½ medium red onion, very thinly sliced
03 - 1 small carrot, julienned (optional)
04 - ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes (optional)
05 - Thinly sliced jicama or watermelon radish (optional, for extra crunch)
→ Herbs
06 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill (or 1 tablespoon fresh mint), plus more for garnish
→ Dressing
07 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
08 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (or toasted sesame oil for Asian flavor)
09 - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar or honey
10 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
11 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Toppings
12 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds or chopped almonds (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Wash cucumbers and pat dry. If desired, remove seeds by cutting each cucumber in half lengthwise and scooping out the center with a spoon. Slice into 1/8-inch rounds.
02 - Place cucumber slices in a colander set over a bowl or sink. Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt and toss gently. Let drain for 10 minutes to remove excess water.
03 - After 10 minutes, rinse cucumbers under cold water to remove surface salt. Shake off excess water and pat dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, olive oil, sugar or honey, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and black pepper until smooth.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, add drained cucumbers, red onion, chopped dill (or mint), and any optional add-ins (carrot, cherry tomatoes, jicama, radish, nuts, or seeds).
06 - Pour dressing over the mixture and toss gently until well coated. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cucumbers to chill. For best crunch, serve within 2 hours.
08 - Transfer to a serving platter or bowl. Garnish with extra dill or mint and a sprinkle of sesame seeds or nuts for added crunch and visual appeal.
