Apple Cucumber Salad

Apple cucumber salad is refreshing and tangy, with crisp apples, crunchy cucumber, and a lemon vinaigrette. This dairy-free/vegan & gluten-free salad uses 5 simple ingredients and can be assembled in 10 minutes. It works as a side salad and makes a great option to bring to your next potluck or bbq.

Apple cucumber salad, similar to apple cucumber slaw, is refreshing, crisp, tangy, and slightly sweet. Using just 5 simple ingredients, it's a no-cook salad that comes together in 10 minutes.

Naturally dairy-free, it can be served as a side salad to accompany vegan sloppy joes or vegetarian one pot pasta.

If you want to serve this easy cucumber salad as a main dish, I've got lots of suggestions on what you can add to make it a heartier salad (e.g. cheese, nuts, grains, greens, etc). It also works as a fantastic side dish to bring to your next potluck or bbq.

Jump to:

• ⭐️ Why This Salad Is The Best
• 🍎 Ingredient Notes
• 📋 Variations & Substitutions
• 🔪 How To Make It
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips
• 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
• 🥗 Related Recipes
• 📖 Apple Cucumber Salad Recipe

⭐️ Why This Salad Is The Best

• Bright, crisp, crunchy, tangy, and slightly sweet
• Quick and easy - ready in just 10 minutes
• Light, healthy, and nutrient-rich; vegan & gluten-free
• Works as a side salad or picnic/potluck/bbq option
• Make ahead option

🍎 Ingredient Notes

• Crisp red apples - I recommend using crisp and sweet-tart apples, like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. Use them to make dutch apple cake and chunky gluten-free apple muffins.
• Cucumber - Adds freshness and a crunchy texture. Try it in cucumber lemon ginger water and creamy cucumber avocado gazpacho.
• Lemon juice - I recommend using fresh lemon juice whenever possible. It makes a difference in getting fresh citrus flavor.

📋 Variations & Substitutions

• Add your favorite protein. To make a heartier salad to eat as a main dish, add ½ cup of tofu or chickpeas for extra protein.
• Make a grain bowl: Add 1 (cooked) cup of your favorite grain to make a more filling vegetarian/vegan meal. Brown rice, quinoa, or farro would all work great.
• Vinegar. White wine vinegar can used as a substitute for both the lemon juice and apple cider vinegar.
• Maple syrup. Honey can be used (although it's not a vegan option), or see my list of the best maple syrup substitutes.
• Make it tart. For more of a tart salad, use Granny Smith apples.
• Cheese. Add your favorite cheese to add another layer of flavor and texture.
• Nuts. Toasted pistachios, walnuts, almonds, or pecans would all work well.
• Greens. Add one or two handfuls of kale, arugula, or spinach.
• Make it creamy. Add 1-2 tablespoons of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a creamy salad.
• Herbs. Add a pinch of your favorite fresh herbs to add aromatics.

🔪 How To Make It

*See recipe card below for printable instructions.

Thinly slice the apples and cucumber and place in a medium-sized bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice.

Pour the dressing over the sliced apples and cucumber and stir gently using a rubber spatula, until the salad is well coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Storage: Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature.
• Make ahead: Make salad up to 24 hours ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• How to serve: Pair it with vegan flatbread pizza, broccoli pasta bake, vegan peanut noodles, or chicken focaccia sandwich.
• Use a mandolin to get paper-thin slices of apple and cucumber (not necessary - it's more for aesthetics).
• Leave the skin on. There's no need to peel your apples or cucumber before slicing them. In fact, it's more nutritious (and higher in fiber) to leave the skin on produce.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

🥗 Related Recipes

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