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    Home » Recipe Index » Appetizers

    Carrot Cucumber Salad

    May 10, 2023 Updated May 18, 2023 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD Appetizers, Salads, Side Dishes, Spring Recipes, Summer Recipes, Vegetables, Vegetarian Dishes

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    carrot cucumber salad on a plate with pasta in background

    Need an easy side salad? This 6 ingredient carrot cucumber salad takes just 5 minutes to make, and is great with lots of different dishes, like this 15 Minute Pasta with 'Homemade' Tomato Sauce.

    carrot cucumber salad on a plate with pasta in background

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serve with
    • Storage Tips
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other good side salad recipes
    • How to repurpose this salad
    • What to do with leftover ingredients

    A carrot cucumber salad, just like this Apple Cucumber Salad is a great side dish to make if you have cucumbers to use up. It takes just a couple minutes to make and won't leave you with weeks worth of salad to have to eat if you're cooking for one.

    This easy recipe is made with crisp english cucumbers (their skin is way less bitter than traditional cucumbers), thinly sliced carrot, red onion, and is covered with a tangy dressing of red wine vinegar, sugar, and oregano.

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the carrot cucumber salad recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.

    cucumber salad ingredients on cutting board
    • Carrot: Crunchy carrot is great in this salad. I like it julienned for different texture, but you can thinly slice it to save a few minutes.
    • Cucumber: English cucumber or regular cucumber with peeled skin is best in this recipe. It's crunchy without having bitter skin.
    • Red Onion: It adds a nice, sweet onion flavor and pretty color.
    • Red Wine Vinegar: The added vinegar adds a nice zing to this carrot cucumber salad. It's sweeter than other vinegars, making it perfect for this salad.
    • Sugar: A little sugar needs to be added to balance out the vinegar flavor. It's too sharp tasting without some sugar.
    • Oregano: Dried oregano is a nice addition to this simple salad. You can use 2-3 times more fresh oregano, if you have it. The peppery, slightly minty flavor is great.

    Instructions

    Scroll down to the carrot cucumber salad recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

    sliced cucumber and carrot on a green cutting board
    1. Slice vegetables, then julienne carrot, if desired.
    sliced cucumbers, carrots, and red onions in a glass bowl

    2. Add to a mixing bowl, then add dressing ingredients, mix, and let the cucumber carrot salad sit for at least 10 minutes for vegetables to soak up the tangy dressing.

    Serve with

    • Gnocchi Carbonara
    • Brisket Grilled Cheese
    • Ravioli with Mushroom Cream Sauce
    • Chicken Salad Pita
    • Buffalo Chicken Flatbread
    • 15 Minute Pasta with 'Homemade' Tomato Sauce

    Storage Tips

    Store any carrot cucumber salad leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, for about 5-7 days. It's good after a day, so you can make enough for leftovers.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • Make sure to let your cucumber salad stand/marinate-the longer the better, it'll bring out the tangy dressing flavors. If you remember, make it 1 hour or 1 day before you plan on eating it.
    • This recipe is easily doubled/tripled/+ for a crowd
    • You can also make a soy sauce based dressing with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
    • Other great add-ins: fresh herbs, more red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, garlic salt, tomatoes, and celery.

    FAQ

    How to make carrot cucumber salad?

    This salad is really easy to make, just thinly slice your vegetables. Next, add your dressing ingredients, mix, and let it sit for at least 10 minutes so the vegetables soak up the dressing flavors.

    What dressings can I use on a cucumber carrot salad?

    A red wine vinegar dressing with oregano is used on this salad, and it's delicious. A white or dark balsamic dressing, soy sauce based dressing, or rice vinegar dressing would also be great on this salad.

    sliced cucumber salad on a plate with black fork

    Other good side salad recipes

    • Broccoli Greek Yogurt Salad
    • Copycat Chick Fil A Kale Salad
    • Cucumber and Apple Salad
    • Zucchini Salad with Feta

    How to repurpose this salad

    This cucumber salad would be delicious added into a sandwich, think turkey sandwich, Italian style sub, meatball sub, etc OR incorporated into a salad.

    What to do with leftover ingredients

    When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.

    • Cucumber: Cucumber Tomato Salad, Spiced Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki, or Watermelon Chicken Salad.
    • Carrot: White Bean and Farro Bowl, Italian Beans with Vegetables, or Red Wine Vinegar Coleslaw.
    • Red Onion: Watermelon Chicken Salad or Fish Tacos with White Sauce and Orange Salsa.

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

    carrot cucumber salad on a plate with pasta in background
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Carrot Cucumber Salad

    Need an easy side salad? This 6 ingredient carrot cucumber salad takes just 5 minutes to make, and is great with lots of different dishes, like this 15 Minute Pantry Pasta with 'Homemade' Tomato Sauce.
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN

    Equipment

    • cutting board
    • Mandoline Slicer
    • knife
    • Measuring cups, spoons
    • tongs
    • small mixing bowl

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup sliced english cucumber or about 3-4 inches cucumber
    • ½ medium carrot julienned
    • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced red onion or a small handful
    • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    • ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano leaves
    • pinch salt

    Instructions

    • Thinly slice 3-4 inch long section of an english cucumber, julienne ½ medium sized carrot, and thinly slice about two tablespoons of red onion. Transfer vegetables to a small mixing bowl, set aside.
    • Pour the following ingredients over vegetables: 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar, ¼ teaspoon sugar, ¼ teaspoon oregano, and a pinch of salt. Mix well.
    • Set aside to marinade for at least 10 minutes. Enjoy.

    Video

    CARROT CUCUMBER SALAD

    Want to get more single serving recipes like this carrot 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. 

    More Appetizers

    • dill draped over sliced carrots in jar
      Pickled Dill Carrots
    • shaved zucchini, corn, and feta salad in a bowl
      Zucchini with Feta
    • square image of kale salad in a bowl
      Copycat Chick Fil A Kale Salad Recipe
    • artichoke dip with crackers and veggies on a plate
      Jalapeno Artichoke Dip

    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    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. Chenee says

      September 13, 2021 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      I love cucumber salad, and the addition of carrots gives it great crunch and flavor!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 13, 2021 at 11:38 am

        agree! it adds such a nice crunch and sweet flavor

        Reply
    2. Jen says

      September 13, 2021 at 11:29 am

      5 stars
      I love how light and refreshing this salad is. Thinly slicing the cucumber and carrot creates a wonderful texture!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 13, 2021 at 11:38 am

        totally does!

        Reply
    3. beth says

      September 13, 2021 at 12:00 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is what I'm looking for every time it's time for lunch - quick, fresh and tangy! Perfect!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 16, 2021 at 10:56 am

        totally!

        Reply
    4. Vicky says

      September 13, 2021 at 12:10 pm

      5 stars
      You had me at 5 minutes! Plus, this looks so colorful and refreshing. Perfect side to go with a heavier meal.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 16, 2021 at 10:56 am

        right?! 5 minutes is the perfect amount of prep time

        Reply
    5. Jessie says

      September 13, 2021 at 2:12 pm

      5 stars
      Yum!! This was so good. I am keeping this handy for an afternoon snack and perfect side for a light lunch.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 16, 2021 at 10:56 am

        it's so great as a snack or side! definitely. thanks!

        Reply

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    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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