Need an easy side salad for one? 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.
Table of contents
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.
- 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.
- Slice vegetables, then julienne carrot, if desired.
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.
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
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.
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.
Other good side salad recipes
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.
Did you make this carrot cucumber salad? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Carrot Cucumber Salad for One
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.
Jessie says
Yum!! This was so good. I am keeping this handy for an afternoon snack and perfect side for a light lunch.
Rebecca says
it's so great as a snack or side! definitely. thanks!
Vicky says
You had me at 5 minutes! Plus, this looks so colorful and refreshing. Perfect side to go with a heavier meal.
Rebecca says
right?! 5 minutes is the perfect amount of prep time
beth says
This recipe is what I'm looking for every time it's time for lunch - quick, fresh and tangy! Perfect!
Rebecca says
totally!
Jen says
I love how light and refreshing this salad is. Thinly slicing the cucumber and carrot creates a wonderful texture!
Rebecca says
totally does!
Chenee says
I love cucumber salad, and the addition of carrots gives it great crunch and flavor!
Rebecca says
agree! it adds such a nice crunch and sweet flavor