Easy Cucumber Apple Salad

This cucumber apple salad is crisp, refreshing, and full of bright sweet-tart flavor. Made with just 5 ingredients in 10 minutes, it's an easy no-cook side dish for picnics, potlucks, and BBQs.

Cucumber apple salad should taste crisp, bright, and refreshing, not watery or flat. This version keeps it simple with just 5 ingredients, but the combination of sweet-tart apples, crunchy cucumber, fresh lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar gives it the kind of balanced flavor that tastes especially good alongside rich grilled foods and summer mains.

It's a no-cook salad that comes together in 10 minutes, and it's easy to make ahead for picnics, potlucks, and BBQs. I recommend using a crisp apple like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn for the best texture and flavor.

For more salad recipes, try my shaved fennel salad, apple gorgonzola salad, or Tuscan bean salad!

Jump to:

• ⭐️ Why This Cucumber and Apple Salad Is The Best
• 🍎 Ingredient Notes
• 📋 Salad Variations & Substitutions
• 🔪 How To Make Cucumber Apple Salad
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Tips for a Crisp, Not Watery Apple Cucumber Salad
• 🍽 What to Serve with This Salad
• 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
• 🥗 More Easy Salad Recipes
• Cucumber Apple Salad Recipe

⭐️ Why This Cucumber and Apple Salad Is The Best

• Crisp, refreshing texture from fresh cucumber and apples
• Bright lemon juice and apple cider vinegar keep the flavor light and balanced
• A touch of maple syrup rounds out the dressing without making it too sweet
• Just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to make-ahead
• An easy make-ahead summer salad for potlucks, picnics, and BBQs

🍎 Ingredient Notes

• Apples: Use a crisp, sweet-tart apple like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn so the salad stays crunchy. Granny Smith works too if you want a more tart flavor.
• Cucumber: English cucumber works especially well here because it has thin skin, fewer seeds, and a crisp bite. Try it in my cucumber lemon ginger water and cucumber avocado gazpacho.
• Lemon juice: Adds brightness and helps keep the apples from browning.
• Apple cider vinegar: Gives the dressing a sharper tang that balances the sweetness of the apples.
• Maple syrup: Just enough to mellow the acidity and round out the dressing.

📋 Salad Variations & Substitutions

• Swap the vinegar: White wine vinegar can be used in place of apple cider vinegar.
• Swap the sweetener: Honey works in place of maple syrup if you don't need the salad to be vegan or see my list of the best maple syrup substitutes.
• Add herbs: Fresh dill or mint are easy additions if you want a little extra flavor.

🔪 How To Make Cucumber Apple Salad

*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.

👩🏼‍🍳 Tips for a Crisp, Not Watery Apple Cucumber Salad

• Store leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The salad is best enjoyed fresh, since the cucumber and apple will soften as it sits.
• Use crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn for the best texture.
• English cucumber is ideal because it has fewer seeds and less excess moisture.
• Slice the apples and cucumber thinly so the salad feels light and evenly dressed.
• Toss the salad shortly before serving for the freshest texture.
• For the best flavor, chill the salad for 15 to 30 minutes before serving.
• If making it ahead, store it in the fridge and give it a quick toss before serving.

🍽 What to Serve with This Salad

This crisp cucumber apple salad pairs well with sandwiches, burgers, grilled meats, and other summer sides. It's especially good for potlucks, picnics, and BBQs when you want something light and refreshing.

Serve it with my flatbread pizza, vegetarian sloppy joes, or spicy bbq tofu sandwich.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

🥗 More Easy Salad Recipes

Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

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