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    Home » Recipe Index » Appetizers » Apple Cucumber Salad

    Apple Cucumber Salad

    November 7, 2021 By Rebecca Appetizers, Cooking for One, Easy Recipes, Entertaining, Fall Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegetables, Vegetarian Dishes

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    thinly sliced apples and cucumbers on a blue plate

    This 4 ingredient apple cucumber salad is such an easy and flavorful salad that can be thrown together in just 5 minutes. Enjoy it with crispy tofu, a grilled pork chop, or succulent shrimp.

    julienned apples and cucumbers on a plate with ingredients around it

    Table of contents

    • How will this cucumber apple salad make your life easier?

    How will this cucumber apple salad make your life easier?

    When cooking for one, I recommend:

    a) make a one pot or simple dish that's got protein, carbs, and maybe a vegetable in it

    b) make a yummy protein and really simple carb/possible veggie

    c) make a tasty side and pair it with a simple protein.

    This method makes cooking less overwhelming and super easy! That's where this cucumber salad comes in. Except it's not only the star of the plate, it's super easy. This cucumber salad recipe has a 3 ingredient dressing to bring out the flavors.

    Pair your apple cucumber salad with Creamy Chicken with Mushrooms and Rice, Grilled Lamb Steak, Buffalo Chicken Flatbread or other simple dishes.

    What makes this cucumber salad so good?

    cucumber, apple, and dressings on a cutting board

    How do I make this apple salad recipe?

    thinly sliced apples and cucumbers on a cutting board

    The first step to make this apple cucumber salad is to julienne your English cucumber and apple with a mandolin or knife. I recommend using an English cucumber because the skin is thiner and use a tart apple so it's really flavorful.

    thinly sliced apples and cucumbers in a bowl

    Transfer your apple and cucumber to a mixing bowl or serving bowl, then add olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt to make the salad dressing. Toss with your hands or a fork. Let sit at least 5-10 minutes to let flavors combine.

    This salad is great a day or two after making it. So make extra for later if you'd like.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • You don't have to julienne the cucumber and apple, but it's highly recommended so each bite is really flavorful from the bright dressing.
    • Adjust olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and salt in the apple cucumber salad to your taste preference.
    • You can substitute the apple cider vinegar for red wine vinegar or rice wine if that's what you have or if it goes better with other foods you're making for dinner
    • Other great add-ins: sunflower seeds, feta cheese, chopped nuts, freshly ground black pepper, jicama, etc.

    FAQ

    How do you make a cucumber salad?

    There are lots of ways to make a cucumber salad, including this apple cucumber salad. You will slice your cucumbers, add other vegetables, and a salad dressing that likely has oil, vinegar or citrus juice, and spices maybe.

    Here are a couple other cucumber salad recipes: Cucumber Tomato Salad and Carrot Cucumber Salad.

    What is the best apple to use in a salad?

    Really you can use any apple, the best one depends on the other flavors in the salad. I recommend tart, crunchy apples because they add lots of flavor and texture to the salad.

    thinly sliced apples and cucumbers on a blue plate

    How can I repurpose this salad?

    Add leftover dressed apples and cucumbers from this apple salad to a green salad or a wrap.

    What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    • Apple: Holiday Kale Slaw, Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats, Apple Omelet with Sharp Cheddar.
    • Cucumber: Carrot Cucumber Salad, Cucumber Tomato Salad, or Watermelon Chicken Salad.

    Did you make this apple cucumber salad? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    thinly sliced apples and cucumbers on a blue plate
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Apple Cucumber Salad

    This 4 ingredient apple cucumber salad is such an easy and flavorful salad that can be thrown together in just 5 minutes. Enjoy it with crispy tofu, a grilled pork chop, or succulent shrimp.
    Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca

    Equipment

    • cutting board
    • Mandolin/Knife
    • Mixing bowl
    • fork

    Ingredients

    • ⅓ whole Tart Apple Granny Smith, Braeburn, Pink Lady
    • 3 inch piece English Cucumber
    • 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • ½ teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
    • pinch Kosher salt

    Instructions

    • Using a mandolin or sharp knife, julienne 3 inch piece of an English cucumber and ⅓ whole tart apple.
    • Transfer julienned cucumber and apple to mixing or serving bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil, ½ teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of kosher salt.
    • Mix with a fork. Let sit 5-10 minutes, if you can. Refrigerate for up to 3-5 days.

    Video

    APPLE CUCUMBER SALAD

    Notes

    • Tart apples add the most flavor to this simple apple cucumber salad. I recommend using a granny smith apple, braeburn, pink lady, or other tart apple.
    • English cucumber skin is more thin than regular cucumbers, I recommend using this cucumber and leaving the skin on.
    • You can remove the skin of both the cucumber and apple if you'd like, but they add a nice flavor and texture if you leave them on.
    • You can substitute the apple cider vinegar for red wine vinegar or rice wine vinegar depending on what you have at home or what you're serving this salad with.
    • Other ingredients to add in: sunflower seeds, feta cheese, chopped nuts, freshly ground black pepper, red chili flakes, etc.

    Want to get more single serving recipes like this apple cucumber salad delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    « Apple Pie Overnight Oats
    Turkey Pumpkin Chili »

    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jessie says

      November 08, 2021 at 11:25 am

      5 stars
      love adding apples to salad for extra crunch!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        November 11, 2021 at 10:33 am

        agreed! it's such a great addition

        Reply
    2. Toni says

      November 08, 2021 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      I love the combination of apple and cucumber! Really amazing!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        November 11, 2021 at 10:33 am

        it's so good!

        Reply
    3. Roxana says

      November 08, 2021 at 1:47 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great example for best taste in simplicity. Few fresh ingredients and what an amazing taste.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        November 11, 2021 at 10:32 am

        exactly, it's sometimes hard to actually stop adding ingredients, but totally worth it!

        Reply
    4. Wanda says

      November 08, 2021 at 2:08 pm

      5 stars
      Looks so fresh and delicious, I could eat this for lunch every day!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        November 11, 2021 at 10:32 am

        same! it's so good, any time of the day

        Reply
    5. Genevieve says

      November 08, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe looks perfect as a pallet cleanser for Thanksgiving! Great idea!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        November 11, 2021 at 10:32 am

        It'd be great with Thanksgiving dinner!

        Reply

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    Rebecca, MS, RDN
    of Nourish Nutrition

    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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