Amish cucumber salad is a light, refreshing side dish made with crisp cucumber slices, thinly sliced onions, and a sweet-tangy vinegar dressing. Often served at Amish gatherings and summer picnics, this salad is known for its simple ingredients and fresh, garden-inspired flavor.
Whether you prefer it creamy or classic, this timeless recipe is easy to make and perfect for warm-weather meals. In this article, you’ll discover everything you need to know to make authentic Amish cucumber salad—just like they do in Amish country.
Table of Contents
What Makes Amish Cucumber Salad Special?
At its heart, Amish cucumber salad is more than just cucumbers, onions, and dressing—it’s a reflection of Amish values: simplicity, freshness, and communal sharing. What sets it apart is the balance of sweet and tangy flavors, achieved without any fancy equipment or exotic ingredients.
Many Amish families grow their cucumbers in backyard gardens, asserting that a truly authentic salad requires vine-ripened produce. Personally, I love how the slices stay perfectly crisp, no matter how long they sit, thanks to an age-old trick of salting and draining.
How to Make Amish Cucumber Salad Step by Step
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes (including resting)
- Yield: 4–6 servings
Amish Cucumber Salad
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
This crisp and tangy Amish Cucumber Salad is a refreshing side dish made with simple ingredients like cucumbers, onion, vinegar, and sugar. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for summer meals or potlucks.
Ingredients
- 2 large or 4 small cucumbers, sliced into ⅛-inch rounds
- ½ medium yellow or sweet onion, thinly sliced into half-moons
- ⅓ cup white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2–3 tablespoons sugar, to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup cold water
- (Optional) 2 tablespoons sour cream or mayonnaise
- (Optional) Fresh dill or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Wash cucumbers thoroughly. Peel in strips if skins are thick.
- Slice cucumbers into ⅛-inch rounds.
- Place cucumber slices in a colander, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, and let sit for 10 minutes to drain moisture. Pat dry.
- Peel and slice the onion into thin half-moons. Optionally soak in cold water for 5 minutes to reduce sharpness.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together vinegar, sugar, remaining salt, and pepper until sugar dissolves.
- Stir in cold water until dressing is smooth and balanced to taste.
- Combine cucumbers and onions in a large bowl. Pour dressing over and toss gently.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 15–20 minutes before serving, or up to 30 minutes for best flavor.
- (Optional) For a creamy version, stir in sour cream or mayonnaise just before serving. Garnish with dill or parsley.
Notes
Use garden-fresh cucumbers for best results. Salting the cucumbers helps them stay crisp. Adjust sugar to taste and experiment with vinegar types for different flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Amish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Tips for the Best Amish Cucumber Salad
- Use Fresh, Local Produce: If you can, grab cucumbers from a farmer’s market or your own garden. The difference in flavor is noticeable—and that’s authentic Amish living right there.
- Uniform Slices: A mandoline slicer ensures perfectly even rounds. If you don’t have one, a sharp chef’s knife and a bit of patience work just fine.
- Don’t Skip the Salting Step: This technique removes excess moisture, preventing a watery salad and guaranteeing that satisfying crunch in every bite.
- Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Amish families often tweak sugar levels according to the cucumbers’ natural sweetness. Sometimes, if the cucumbers are super fresh, I reduce sugar to 1½ tablespoons.
- Experiment with Vinegar: White vinegar is traditional, but apple cider vinegar (ACV) offers a fruit-forward tang. Try using half ACV and half white vinegar next time—you might discover your new favorite version.
Recommended Tools
- Mandoline Slicer: For uniform, paper-thin cucumber and onion slices.
- Sharp Chef’s Knife: If you opt for hand-slicing, keep your knife razor-sharp to avoid crushing the cucumbers.
- Mixing Bowl with Lid: Speeds up chilling and makes transport to potlucks hassle-free.
- Colander or Strainer: Essential for the salting/draining step.
How to Store Amish Cucumber Salad for Freshness
Amish cucumber salad is best eaten within 24 hours, but if you need leftovers:
- Airtight Container: Transfer salad into a sealed container with minimal air space to prevent oxidation.
- Refrigerate Promptly: Keep it in the coldest part of your fridge (not the door) to slow down moisture loss.
- Stir Before Serving: Drain off excess liquid at the bottom, give a quick stir, and sprinkle a little fresh salt or dill to refresh flavors. Stored this way, it stays crisp and tasty for up to 2 days—although, let’s be honest, it rarely lasts that long!
More Related Recipes & Articles
If you love the Amish cucumber salad vibe, you might enjoy exploring these related dishes and resources on OldPlainRecipes.com:
- Amish Apple Cake Recipe – A moist cake that pairs wonderfully with iced tea, and the perfect sweet finish after a light salad.
- Amish Church Soup Recipe – Hearty, comforting, and a community favorite at church gatherings.
- Amish Chocolate Whoopie Pies – Decadent sandwich cookies that are surprisingly easy to make.
- Amish Applesauce Cake Recipe – Warm spices and applesauce make this an ideal autumn treat.
- Amish Hamburger Steak Bake – A one-dish wonder that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
You can also follow us on Medium for more story-driven recipes or find inspiration on our Pinterest boards, where we pin Amish home-cooking tips, vintage kitchen finds, and more.
FAQs
Why is my salad watery, and how can I fix it?
Excess water usually comes from skipping the salting/draining step. Next time, sprinkle salt on sliced cucumbers and let them sit in a colander for 10 minutes; then pat them dry. If you already have a watery batch, drain off the liquid before serving and add a squeeze of fresh vinegar to reinvigorate the flavors.
How long can I keep leftover Amish cucumber salad?
For best texture and flavor, enjoy within 24 hours. Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it can last up to 2 days. Always drain excess liquid and give it a quick stir before serving.
Can I make this salad ahead of time for a party?
Definitely! Prepare the cucumbers and onions separately, keep them chilled, and mix in the dressing about 30 minutes before guests arrive. If you add sour cream or mayo to make it creamy, do so just before serving to prevent separation.