Ultra-Fresh Cucumber Salad : Interactive Recipe, Tips & Variations

By Lou Chardin — August 7, 2025 • Category: Summer Salads

Why adopt homemade cucumber salad?

Cucumber salad : a classic full of freshness 🥗 that rhymes summer, simplicity and crunch. Say goodbye to bland or watery versions! Here, you'll learn how to enhance cucumber ( cucumis sativus ), this star vegetable of sunny days, with a vibrant vinaigrette , herbs and clever toppings.

This is the ideal recipe to boost your water intake (>95% water), fill up on fiber and minerals, while remaining ultra light (less than 60 kcal/portion in light mode). It adapts to everyone: veggie, flexi, kids, athletes...
With our interactive tools, you can adjust portions, nutrition, or cupboard contents in the blink of an eye. No more waste! And when it comes to storage, you can enjoy up to 3 days of freshness .
Neary Bonus: Discover creative variations below (Asian, Mediterranean, etc.), anti-sour tips, budget advice, and the best blenders to accompany your salad with a vitamin-packed smoothie!

Adjustable ingredients & quantities

For 4 people (adjust to your table!)
Everything is available fresh at Neary Primeur . Click on an ingredient to add it to your list or order.

Smart substitutions: yogurt → cottage cheese or skyr. Dill → mint or coriander. Lemon → cider vinegar. For a vegan version, opt for a natural plant-based yogurt (soy, coconut, etc.).

Smart Closet Mode

Calories & Nutrition

Step-by-step preparation

1. Prepare the cucumbers : wash, peel every other strip (for crunch), then cut into thin slices. Tip: to avoid water, salt and let drain for fifteen minutes in a colander.
   
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2. Prepare the sauce : in a bowl, mix yogurt , olive oil , lemon or vinegar, pressed garlic, chopped fresh herbs, salt and pepper. Whisk well to emulsify.
3. Assemble : Wipe the cucumber slices, mix gently with the sauce.
   Option: Add sesame seeds, walnuts or pine nuts for crunch.
4. Serve chilled : let stand for ten minutes in the fridge before serving for the best flavors!

Gourmet variations

Greek Cucumber Salad : Add crumbled feta , black olives, and oregano.
Asian version : soy-sesame vinaigrette, fresh coriander, crushed peanuts.
Raw method : long strips, rice vinegar and gomasio.
Barbecue style : serve with grilled fillet or marinated tofu!

Conservation & batch cooking

Cucumber salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container. To keep it crisp, add the dressing at the last minute.
Batch cooking tip : cut the cucumbers and prepare the sauce separately, assemble just before serving.
Freezing? No, cucumbers cannot be frozen (too much water).

Service ideas & pairings

• As a light appetizer, on toast or as an accompaniment to Air Fryer skewers!
• Add chickpeas or lentils to make it a complete meal.
• Drink pairing: lemon water, green smoothie ( homemade blender ), or iced tea.
• Brunch version: cucumber salad, soft-boiled egg, cereal toast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anti-failure tips

• Remember to dry the slices well to avoid diluting the sauce.
• Add the garlic gradually so as not to mask the freshness .
• For maximum crunch, serve the salad very fresh ( 10 minutes in the refrigerator before serving).
• Add a dash of rice vinegar for the Asian version.
• A little lemon zest boosts the aroma!

Smart budget & sources

Seasonal cucumbers are one of the most affordable vegetables (less than €1 each directly from the market). Take advantage of local harvests and Neary batches to reduce the cost per serving.
For an even more economical salad, replace the dill with garden parsley, and the yogurt with homemade fromage blanc.
Sources: Wikipedia , Neary guides, nutritionists.

All Neary recipes

Discover our other fresh and interactive recipes on the Recipes of the Week page.
For grilling ideas: barbecue & grilling .

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