Fresh Cucumber Salad Recipes on the Quick

Say hello to your new favorite make-ahead cucumber salad side dish. In just 15 minutes you’ll have this fresh side whipped up and ready to chill at least 4 hours or up to 3 days! Peel the cucumbers first if you’re feeding picky eaters, or keep peels on for the biggest fiber boost.

A little chopping and whisking is all it takes to create this pretty and healthy side dish. To some, the honeydew and cucumber combo might seem odd, but with a honey-lemon dressing and feta cheese to tie everything together, you’ll wonder why you haven’t paired them before.

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This radish and cucumber salad is just the thing for a potluck gathering. None of the fresh ingredients require refrigeration, so this side dish can sit out longer than dairy-containing sides. It makes a nice change of pace from all the heavier barbecue foods, too, so you can enjoy the backyard bash with a taste from the garden.

The recipe name says it all. If you like those three ingredients, you’ll love this salad! And if you like recipes that take only 15 minutes to prep, you’ll extra love this cucumber salad with fresh dill. We added just a dash of sugar to balance the briny Kalamata olives and pungent red onion.

Related: 15-Minute Side Dish Recipes

Yes, you read that right. Mint, not basil, gives this speedy cucumber salad its unique flavor twist. The fresh veggie side is a perfect pairing for virtually any dinner: Burgers, pasta, chicken, you name it.

Just look at this watermelon and cucumber salad; it looks like something you should be eating alfresco in Napa or on a balcony in Tuscany. It's sophisticated and elegant, thanks to arugula, fresh mint, feta, and toasted walnuts. But this deceptively easy cucumber salad is ready in about 25 minutes.

Thanks to cilantro and lime juice, this fresh cucumber salad recipe feels a little bit like a Mexican side dish. Pair it with heavier enchiladas and burritos for a fresh side on Mexican night or any summer day when you can get your hands on honeydew at its prime.

The citrus wedges may catch your eye, but there's a full English cucumber in this salad, too. The citrus-cucumber combination makes it an ideal recipe for late winter or early spring when citrus is still in season and cucumbers are just entering their peak (though, you can find delicious cucumbers year-round).

Related: Delicious Citrus Recipes

Elevate cucumber salad to an entrée with the addition of chicken and cheese to pump the protein up to 25 grams per serving. The dressing for this cucumber and tomato salad is a simple vinaigrette with a little fresh thyme for good measure. It pairs delightfully with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and tangy-salty feta.

We call it a slaw because it’s great on burgers, hot dogs, and other cookout favorites, but it eats like a yummy veggie salad all on its own. Make it up to 2 hours ahead if you want to pack this quick cucumber salad to take to a potluck.

Related: Must-Have Potluck Sides

Technically, watermelon plays starring role, but cucumber is a strong supporting role. You’ve seen the cucumber-watermelon pairing before, but in this kicked-up healthy side salad, there are serrano chiles to spice it up. Yuzu juice (if you can’t find it, lime juice works, too) and lime zest add a little lip-puckering flavor.

This fast and fresh salad tastes like summer in a bowl! We let cucumbers take a backseat to fresh sweet corn and added juicy blueberries for an unexpected twist that we promise you’re gonna love.

You can’t beat a classic tomato-cucumber salad! This one looks special with a mix of pear, cherry, and grape tomatoes, but you can use any tomatoes you want. Vinaigrette infused with a bit of ginger brings big flavor to this make-ahead side dish.

Give your cucumber salad Asian flavors from rice vinegar, mirin (aka rice wine), and fresh ginger. It takes just 15 minutes to slice some cucumber and onion and whisk together the dressing to make this speedy side. Let it marinate to let the flavors meld while you whip up the entrée.

Add a serving of whole grains to your cucumber salad recipe with the addition of whole wheat couscous. And if you really want to make a meal of it, simply add a portion of your favorite protein (beef and chicken would be wonderful) on top of this salad for an all-in-one meal.