Summers buzz with crisp, refreshing moments that demand light, vibrant green cabbage cucumber salad recipes.
This delightful side dish combines cool, crunchy vegetables in a dance of textures and bright flavors.
Shredded cabbage and cucumber create a delectable medley that sings with zesty freshness.
Each bite offers a satisfying crunch that awakens your taste buds with clean, tangy notes.
The simple ingredients blend effortlessly, turning ordinary vegetables into an extraordinary culinary experience.
Drizzled with a light, tangy dressing, this salad brings a burst of energy to any meal.
You’ll love how quickly this nutritious dish comes together for a perfect summer accompaniment.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Calories: 50 kcal
Servings: 9
Green Cabbage Cucumber Salad Ingredient List
For Crisp Base:
Green Cabbage: Provides a crunchy foundation with robust texture and subtle peppery undertones, select fresh heads with tight, vibrant green leaves.
Cucumbers: Adds refreshing coolness and hydrating crunch, choose firm varieties without soft spots for maximum flavor.
For Aromatic Freshness:
Green Onions, Fresh Dill: Delivers bright, zesty notes that elevate the salad's overall profile, pick green onions with crisp white and green parts and dill with vibrant green color and strong herbal fragrance.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Sunflower Oil: Creates smooth, light dressing base with delicate nutty essence, opt for cold-pressed versions for superior taste.
White Vinegar: Introduces tangy sharpness balancing the salad's richness, select clear distilled variety for clean acidic touch.
Salt: Amplifies and harmonizes all ingredient flavors, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and gentle spiciness, freshly ground provides more intense aromatics.
Tools to Make Green Cabbage Cucumber Salad Quickly
Mandolin Slicer: Essential for creating thin, uniform vegetable slices quickly and easily.
Sharp Knife: Backup option for slicing cabbage and cucumbers if mandolin isn't available.
Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining and tossing all salad ingredients.
Small Measuring Cup: Perfect for mixing and preparing the salad dressing ingredients.
Cutting Board: Stable surface for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
Paper Towels: Used for drying vegetables after washing.
Chopping Knife: Needed for finely chopping green onions and dill.
How to Prepare Crisp Green Cabbage Cucumber Salad
Kitchen Setup Comfort and convenience are key when preparing this vibrant salad. Gather all your tools and fresh ingredients on a clean, spacious countertop.
Vegetable Transformation Carefully slice green cabbage into delicate, whisper-thin ribbons using a sharp knife or mandolin. Aim for elegant, uniform strips that will create a beautiful texture.
Cucumber Elegance Gently cut cucumbers into translucent half-moons, creating light and refreshing pieces that will dance through the salad.
Herbal Touch Sprinkle finely chopped green onions and fragrant dill throughout the vegetable mixture, bringing a burst of bright, garden-fresh flavor.
Dressing Magic Whisk together sunflower oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper until they harmonize into a smooth, tangy liquid that will elevate the entire dish.
Final Symphony Gently toss all ingredients, allowing the dressing to embrace each vegetable piece. Let the salad rest briefly to allow flavors to mingle and develop a delightful complexity.
Serving Suggestion Enjoy immediately for crisp texture or chill for a few hours to let the flavors deepen and cabbage soften slightly. This versatile salad keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for several days.
Tips for Enhancing Green Cabbage Cucumber Salad Flavor
Crisp Texture Tricks: Use an ice bath for cucumbers to keep them extra crunchy and refreshing before slicing. Pat vegetables completely dry to prevent watery salad and maintain a satisfying crunch.
Herb Boost Options: Experiment with different fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or mint to add unexpected flavor dimensions. Each herb brings a unique aromatic profile that can transform the salad's taste.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dressing and chop vegetables separately, storing them in sealed containers. Combine ingredients just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent wilting.
Protein Power-Up: Enhance the salad's nutritional value by adding grilled chicken, canned tuna, or chickpeas. These protein additions turn the simple side dish into a complete and filling meal.
Picnic-Perfect Tip: Pack dressing separately when transporting the salad to prevent soggy vegetables. Pour dressing just before serving to keep the salad crisp and vibrant during outdoor meals or potlucks.
Serving Green Cabbage Cucumber Salad with Any Meal
Summer Picnic Star: Pack this crisp salad in a mason jar for outdoor gatherings, making it the perfect portable side dish that stays fresh and crunchy.
Protein Power-Up: Top the salad with grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, or crumbled feta cheese to transform it into a complete and satisfying meal with extra protein.
Sandwich Sidekick: Serve alongside grilled sandwiches, burgers, or wraps as a light and refreshing accompaniment that adds a delightful crunch and tangy flavor to your main course.
Mediterranean Twist: Sprinkle some toasted sunflower seeds or pine nuts on top for added texture and drizzle with a bit of extra virgin olive oil to give the salad a Mediterranean-inspired touch.
Store Green Cabbage Cucumber Salad the Right Way
Quick Chill Technique: Refrigerate the salad for 1-2 hours before serving to enhance flavor melding and soften cabbage texture, creating a more delicious dining experience.
Container Choice: Use airtight glass or ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other refrigerator foods.
Smart Serving Strategy: Keep dressing separate from vegetables until ready to eat to maintain crisp texture and prevent wilting, especially if planning to store for multiple meals.
Ingredient Revival Tip: If salad becomes slightly soggy after storage, quickly drain excess liquid and refresh by adding a few fresh cucumber slices and a light sprinkle of chopped herbs before serving.
Mediterranean cucumber salad blends crisp green cabbage with refreshing cucumbers for a light, zesty side dish. Cool ingredients and tangy herbs create perfect harmony while offering a simple yet satisfying summer complement to grilled meats or fish.
Ingredients
Scale
1 medium green cabbage (2 lbs, 907 g, shredded)
3 medium cucumbers (or 1 English cucumber)
4–5 green onions
1 bunch fresh dill (about 2 tbsps chopped)
6 tbsps (90 ml) sunflower oil
4 tbsps (60 ml) distilled white vinegar
1 tsp fine salt (or to taste)
¼ tsp ground black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
Dress Creation: Whisk sunflower oil, distilled white vinegar, fine salt, and ground black pepper in a measuring cup until completely blended, ensuring salt fully dissolves.
Vegetable Preparation: Thoroughly clean and dry cabbage, removing wilted outer leaves, then slice into delicate, uniform strips using a mandolin or sharp knife, discarding the core.
Salad Assembly: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine shredded cabbage with thinly sliced cucumbers, finely minced green onions, and chopped fresh dill, creating a vibrant vegetable medley.
Flavor Infusion: Pour the crafted dressing over the vegetable mixture, using tongs to coat each ingredient evenly and thoroughly.
Marination and Serving: Refrigerate the salad for 1-2 hours to enhance flavor profile, then serve chilled, enjoying its crisp texture within 2-3 days of preparation.
Notes
Prep Like a Pro: Clean vegetables thoroughly, removing wilted leaves and patting dry to ensure crisp, fresh ingredients.
Slice with Precision: Use a mandolin or sharp knife to create uniform, thin cabbage and cucumber strips for consistent texture.
Marinate for Magic: Refrigerate the salad for 1-2 hours to let flavors meld and vegetables soften slightly.
Freshness First: Consume within 2-3 days to maintain optimal crunch and vibrant taste.
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles
Oregon Culinary Institute
Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.