Old Fashioned Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar

Old Fashioned Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar

Tangy old fashioned cucumber onion salad is a super simple but surprisingly addictive side dish common in the South and the Lowcountry of South Carolina. This easy recipe for marinated cucumbers and onions in vinegar is often seen as a side dish for barbecue pulled pork with Carolina gold BBQ sauce, and goes perfectly with any sandwich!

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Southern

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 25

Total Time 25

Servings

Calories 22kcal

Author Caroline Lindsey

Equipment

vegetable peeler
mandoline slicer recommended

Ingredients

1 English cucumber see note
½ small white onion or ¼ red onion
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup distilled white vinegar
½ cup water
2 teaspoons granulated sugar see note

Instructions

Lightly peel cucumber, leaving some green streaks for visual interest. Slice the cucumber and onion as thinly as possible with a mandoline slicer (recommended) or kitchen knife.
Add cucumber and onion to a medium bowl and sprinkle with salt. Toss to combine. Let marinate for about 20 minutes, tossing occasionally, and then drain any accumulated liquid (do not rinse).
Pour vinegar and water over cucumbers and add sugar. Stir to combine. You can enjoy in as little as 5-10 minutes, but let it marinate an additional hour for best results.
Store refrigerated, submerged in vinegar mixture, for up to a week. Enjoy as a side dish or on a sandwich!

Notes

Like it sweeter? I like my cucumber onion salad super tangy (as written) but if you like it sweeter, add more granulated sugar to taste.

Cucumber substitutions: You may use two slicing cucumbers in place of an English cucumber, but be sure to peel off the waxy skin first. Slice vertically and scoop out the tough seeds before slicing into thin half-moons. Kirby cucumbers (pickling cucumbers) may be used as well and may be treated like the English cucumbers — just use enough to equal the weight of an English cucumber.

Nutrition