Artificial Food Coloring Free Classic Cucumber Salad
Crisp, cool, and bright with fresh dill, this cucumber salad is the kind of side dish that disappears fast at any table. Every ingredient here is exactly what it sounds like — cucumbers, red onion, dill, vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and pepper — so there's no guesswork about hidden dyes or synthetic additives sneaking into your bowl. That's a bigger deal than it sounds, since bottled dressings and pre-made salads often contain artificial colorings to make them look more vibrant or shelf-stable. Here, the gorgeous pale green hue comes entirely from real cucumbers and fresh herbs, nothing else. The salting step draws out excess moisture so the cucumbers stay crisp rather than watery, and the quick pickle in the fridge lets the tangy vinegar dressing soak all the way through. It's an effortless, genuinely clean recipe that works as a weeknight staple or a crowd-pleasing potluck contribution.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 large english cucumbers (about 2 lb total), thinly sliced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp fresh dill, roughly chopped
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Place the sliced cucumbers in a large bowl and toss with the kosher salt. Let stand for 10 minutes, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and pat firmly dry — the cucumbers should feel noticeably less wet.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the white wine vinegar, sugar, olive oil, and black pepper until the sugar is fully dissolved.
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