Cucumber Salad - Cool Summer Salad - Perfect for Family Reunions & Cookouts 

Our family here in Goode Virginia has made a cucumber, tomato and onion salad with just Italian dressing and we also think letting it marinade overnight makes it better.

I appreciate so much Melissa posting the recipe. That helps so much and I know it's extra work for her.

I have family members with medically restrictive diets; therefore, I made this recipe with Kraft Fat Free / Sugar Free Zesty Italian Dressing and substituted Splenda for the sugar. My family members loved the cucumber salad and the substitutions seemed to work fine for those with restrictions. I plan to try more of your recipes in the near future. Thank you for sharing on youtube.

I made this and only made half a batch. Very good. My Italian dressing was not zesty so I put in some crushed red pepper. I grow my own peppers, cucumbers, and pumpkins,tomatoes, zucchini and green beans. It is just a small patch Actually my daughter does it for me. I am 88 years old. Today she picked the green beans for me. Grandma Sue in central Indiana

If you cut the end and rub them over the end you just cut it from until it foams up then rinse it, that should take the bitter taste out of the cucumber. An Oriental lady I worked with in a deli many years ago gave me this tip and it always works for me, no more bitter cucumbers.

I love your little stories that go along with the recipes, makes me smile. My mother would have loved this, as she always had the cucumbers and onions with vinegar or sometimes sour cream.

That looks wonderful! Another good, easy cucumber dish is garden grown cukes in sour cream. Unbelieveable! Wish I could come sit at your table!

Hey Tom and Mellisa I learned from my mom that if u peel and sliced ur cukes then soak them in a bowl of cold water with a couple tablespoons or more of salt and soak them for about ten to 15 mins then drain and rinse slightly and drain then add ur dressing it will prevent ur cukes from repeating on u. God bless

Growing up we always saved the cucumber peeling. They are delicious fried. We took sugar, pickle juice, pinch of salt , mix and soak the cucumber peelings in the mixture for a few hours in the fridge. Then we would roll the marinaded peelings in ,some in flour and some in cornmeal Next , we deep fry til golden brown Make a sour cream dip and yummmmm! We also saved our potatoe peelings and man are they good dipped in a onion flour milk batter and deep fried til golden brown Yummmmm We never threw any peelings away from any vegetable. Saved them for they make the best broth. All vegetable leaves and stems make great salads and fritters 🥰

Love the bowl that says “Have Fun” “Enjoy”. Love the Cucumber salad.

I love cucumber salad! Like you, if I'm given a recipe to follow someone's dish I loved, I follow their exact directions, so Great Value it is! 😊😊

Tried this without the carrot because I was out and it was wonderful!!!! In my serving I even chopped a small tomato from our garden yummy. Thank you for all the wonderful recipes

This is so interesting. I have had cucumber salad, but with sourcream. I can't wait to try it with the special sauce you made up with Italian Dressing. Thank you, Tom and Melissa, for this recipe.

I love y'all so authentic and great food you can actually make. Laura from Dallas

I find the list of ingredients very helpful! My hearing is not so good these days so seeing the list while Tom explains the recipe is perfect! As a fellow retired teacher, I really appreciate the work that the two of you put into these videos!😘

All of your recipes I have tried have been delicious. Thank you so much for sharing. Your instructions are so clear and easy to follow. I love the stories you add to each of your demonstrations.

I really like the name of your channel. It reminds me of those times in school-junior high school and high school, and even beyond-when one feels unaccepted and left out. Then I imagine someone very kind from a table of people or a small group already seated calling out, despite peer pressure and threat of unpopularity, “You can come sit at our table!” One can imagine the small group parting and smiling, speaking welcoming words, making room for the one who had felt so alone and like such an outcast. 💟✝️💟

I've done this trick with cucumbers for years and it works for some strange reason. Before peeling, cut off both ends of cucumber. Rub the stem end piece on the blossom end, rub the blossom end piece on the stem end, then peel it. I do not know why this trick works, but it does.

Love this recipe, it's Delicious ❤😊

I guess there are many versions of cucumber salads. My mother was raised in Tennessee and my father in Missouri. A salad they made for as long as I can remember was very similar. It, too, was sliced onions and cucumbers. The dressing was half white vinegar (I now use Seasoned Rice Wine Vinegar most times, but not all) and half water, sugar to taste, about ¾-1 cup, and lots of salt and pepper. It was a rule that we couldn't touch it for at least 3 whole days (not 2½ LOL). When we made it we made a lot. We used the largest Tupperware bowl that had a lid and this is the only thing it was ever used for. (Could never get the vinegar smell completely gone. Even setting it in the sun didnt work.). First we made the marinade in the bowl then filled it to the top with cucumbers and onions, usually equal parts. We kept ours in the fridge much longer. Months and months. When the veggies had been eaten we just added more to the existing marinade. Occasionally we would remove about a cup or so of liquid as the veggies had weeped liquid that diluted it. Deending on how much we took out we would add at least ¾ cup vinegar and ¼ cup water, or to taste. Of course we had to add a bit more sugar and salt and pepper. We ate on these from March through December. Its perfect as a side dish/salad but we also used it regularly on sandwiches or used as a base to add other veggies to for a different salad - tomatoes, broccoli, corn, frozen peas, cauliflower, etc in any combination. Almost any other salad dressing could be used and it still worked very well, if we used any other salad dressing. Sometimes we just spooned over some marinade and, maybe, added a splash of oil, maybe. Any sandwich except maybe peanut butter and jelly (LOL) loved the addition of these flavorful slices. It just enhanced it and made it better. Use a little or use a lot. And sometimes it would just be a cucumber and onion sandwich. Have you tried yours on sandwiches?

I love cucumber salad 🥗 I love your recipes perfect cooked baked every things 😋😋👍👍❤️

We do a German cucumber salad. It calls for a small amount of olive oil, water, Maggi seasoning & German vinegar. That vinegar is concentrated so go easy with it (I like it strong myself...most don't). That mix is also great on French green beans for a green bean salad & also tomato & onion salad. For years it was the only way I could eat onions (they didn't bother my stomach because of the German vinegar).

I made your recipe! It was excellent! Since watching your video, I have had such a taste for cucumber salad that I have ordered it twice in restaurants before I could get a chance to make my own. Tom says to make a recipe just like it says so I looked up the ingredients in Great Value Zesty Italian, and found that they are identical to Wishbone House Italian dressing. I agree with Tom about the 2tsp of cider vinegar being a nice addition. This recipe is so good, and such an icon of the summertime!

Love cucumber, onion😢 salad. Mama always made her own marinade. I love the idea of a bottle of Zesty Italian Dressing

My mom used to make it with just water, white vinegar & a little sugar. I think that your recipe sounds like it would be tastier, not so tart. Thank you 😊

My husband and I loved that place. ❤️❤️❤️ pies out of this world

Wow yummy delicious and very beautiful tasty recipe so good 💯 thanks for sharing dear friends ❤️👍300👍 like is me

OOOOOOO! I have a "family cook-out" themed potluck at work in the ER next week. Thinking this will be amazing to make for the group. 😁

I'm looking forward to trying this dish! It looks wonderful! I enjoy watching you all!

Great Value zesty Italian dressing is my all time favorite salad dressing. Then Olive Garden.

I made this today. It is delicious! This will be my go to Cucumber Salad from now on. Thanks!

My children love my cucumber salad. You're is different. I'm going to try it.

Store bought dressings are quick, but they usually have extra sugar & other stuff you don't want/need to put in your body. THIS recipe nearly spiked my sugar to the coma range just watching it! Just this summer I finally figured out how to use ACV(best with the "Mother" it's healthiest). I add good mild EVOO, salt, pepper, dill or parsley. I usually add tomatoes. I like English cucumbers - they have thin skin, healthy to eat, adds crunch. Of course sweet or red onion. We finish all the marinade too, it's delicious. I'm diabetic type 2 so I have to watch my sugar intake. Also great if you are following keto or low carb, or just avoiding "the white stuff".

My mother makes something similar to that. It's really delicious. I enjoy your channel very much. I love the welcoming catchy name and the great recipes. Ya'll are a class act. Best wishes, from NY. ❤

I Love this salad we put tomato's in ours. I Love that pretty dish .I eat with my eyes.This dish reminds me home Wv..

Thank you for this recipe, we will like it!!!😊

I will enjoy making the dressing for the cucumber salad. I just used vinegar, tangy yes but delicious. Thank you Melissa and Tom, your videos are budget friendly and I enjoy watching them. Thank you.

Hi Tom and Melissa: I came across your channel about a week ago and I have to say I'm already a big fan! You make your recipes seem so easy to prepare and they all look so delicious. I'm not much of a cook but honestly y'all have sparked a little fire in me and can't wait to try some of them - I'm a big fan of biscuits and gravy and I'm planning that recipe to be my first one to try! Thanks for the direction and inspiration! Greetings from Raleigh, NC! -Adam

I am going to try that dressing. Looks yummy!

Thank you! It looks delicious. I totally avoid sugar and seed oils for health reasons. COT is a favorite here. Cucumber, onion and tomato with salt and pepper and sometimes a small splash of apple cider vinegar. A simple side dish from the Crab Shack, Salter Path, North Carolina. My late brother-in-law always added it to his lunch. Great memories.

It is 2:20 on the east coast. I just made this salad for supper tonight and put it in the fridge. It is so good! My husband is going to love it. Thanks for your videos of just simple everyday cooking!

I think this would also be awesome as just a house salad dressing. Yum I’m gonna fix it.

I made this for a church picnic on Sunday, it was a hit! I brought home the leftovers and am still enjoying it. I plan to make it again, although will cut the recipe by 1/4 …. I’m only one person. Delicious!

I’m definitely gonna make this cucumber salad ❤❤

Love this recipe for summer. That you so much!

I will definitely try this, only with a purple onion just because I like the flavor of those more. But adding that carrot is a way to add some color and flavor. Thanks for sharing this 👍

That looks so very good !!!! My Dr has put me on the FODMAP Diet !!!! So I am having a difficult time following it !!! I think I may be able to eat this !!! Thank you ! That exact dressing is great on a salad made with strawberries sliced , sliced almonds and romaine lettuce!!!!! It’s yummy !!!!

My daughters will love this. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for this recipe. I may be strange but I love the peeling left on the cucumbers. I sometimes peel a few lines off of them but not always.

Sounds delicious! And easy! Great for potluck dinners!

I love cucumbers so much! Super refreshing...I'll be putting this salad together soon, like tomorrow 😊 Thank you again for another delicious side recipe. Love your calm manner and easy instructions❤

Can’t wait to try this. My dad passed last November and i always made him cucumbers and onions with the vinegar and sugar. I wish he was here this season to try this. Thank you for sharing

I love cucumber salads ! we doe cucumbers ,boiled eggs tomatoes,& Italian dressing or just mayo. Yum !!!

YUM YUM I LOVE SALADS I WILL TRY THIS.

Thanks tom a melissayour super a like your recipe my dad liked to have us there.love your show a meals

I might try this tonight. I've only had it with tomato instead of carrots. That's good also.

We use the Great Value zesty dressing on our pasta salad with added chopped cucumber, onion, cherry tomatoes, small cubes or slices of peperoni and cubes of cheddar or peperjack cheese. I always add a couple of Tbsp of vinegar and sugar. It too is great for a picnic or cookout because no mayo in it. Best to make night before so the pasta marinates. I use penne or rotini pasta. Love your videos and stories.

Thank you I have been looking for a cucumber and onion recipe .

I love y'alls videos ❤❤❤😊

Have made this before but I like adding tomatoes & cauliflower- let set over nite but yours is good to. 👍

I make this with English cucumbers, tomato, and onions and zesty italian dressing. I add the tomato as I serve so it doesn't get soggy. I'm going to try the sugar and vinegar. Thanks for another great recipe.

Live in WVA and have so enjoyed watching your channel. Love how you do the recipes. Your so articulate and my goodness so prepared. Just appreciate your presentation of it all. Your really good Tom and I love hearing Melissa talk. Hope you have tons more recipe. I so agree about letting it marinade over night and yes it would be good right away or hours later. Thank You for Sharing. :)

I do a cucumber salad which I have renamed “Teena’s” salad. My ingredients are a bit more than you use Tom: hot house cucumber, Roma tomatoes, red, green, yellow & orange peppers, red & white onions, carrots, celery, white vinegar, olive oil, sugar and Kraft Touzon salad dressing and I do make the dressing and let it marinate in fridge 1-3 days before serving…. Also, I wash the English cucumbers well and leave the peeling on them as they give great texture and flavor. Love your channel and I can’t wait to make the chicken dressing recipe. Thank you, TeENA 💎

It looks so tangy and crunchy!

Tom, if you don't rinse the cucumbers after you peel them the bitter taste from the peel is all over them off of what you peeled them with and your hands. I wont eat them if they are not rinsed off. Peel one, cut it in half, slice one half onto a plate and rinse the other half/your hands/the knife or peeler then slice onto another plate- taste test. Big difference:) BOP

We just made it! Oh my goodness, yum!! Put it in the refrigerator now so it can be in there overnight, but had a small bowl to taste, and I couldn't stop eating it! Just the right amount of everything in there! Thank you for the video!

Wishbone zesty Italian is the best. I’ve tried all for my pasta salad. I will make this for sure but will cut the sugar I half. Thank you for the recipe.

I love the salad. Try it with red onion, I think you’ll like it.

Love all your videos,keep up the good work.

I also add celery and tomatoes 😊Mmmmmmmm!!

Depends on the variety of cucumber you are using if the green can be bitter. I grow the Beit Alpha and i have never had a bitter one. In fact i leave strips of green peeling on the cucumber for more color in the salad.

Hi ,this looks absolutely delicious I love cucumbers I always put them in a toss salad but I hadn't made a cucumber salad will definitely have to make this one, thanks for sharing the recipe

Well thank you so very much❤! Another great recipe.💯 This would be nice next to your chili❤

Annnnd, when there's only one day left of this salad I throw in a ripe delicious tomato ... MMMmm.

My mother (and now me) made a cucumber salad with carnation milk, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. You can use heavy cream instead of carnation but we grew up with carnation. We love it. You could add onions but I do not. Your salad looks delicious.

I can’t wait to try this! I made the chicken stuffing casserole and it was a hit! Delicious!!

We love a good cucumber and onion salad. I don’t use quite as much sugar. Like you said it’s better the next day. Just like chili. It’s better the next day also. Thanks Tom 🥒🧅🥕

Great recipe 🥰💚💛thank you Tom & Melissa🙏

Love your videos and I will definitely try this one. It’s so easy.

Sounds very good. Probably healthy to

Love your videos, I always share

Tried this salad. It is delicious!!!

Love your videos

Looks great😊

I made this exactly as you had on the receipe - it was delicious-but made a lot of marinade-will get some more cucumbers and add to the mix- thanks for another great recipe!

I like the recipe story!

Just WOW, best salad ever. I have made many cucumber salads over the years and this is wonderful.

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome and I thank you very much!!!

That's a good recipe to try vs the same 'ol vinegar & sugar mix. The carrots sound like a nice addition as well. Thanks you two!

A red onion would be pretty in this!

Hi there, new subscriber. 🌼. I am so glad to discover your channel! Love your videos and recipes. I look forward to more, and catching up on past videos. Have a wonderful and blessed week! 🌻🌼🤗Deb from N.C.

Gotta try looks yummy Thanks Tom .. Oh yeh forgot , made your firecrackers omg love them sooo good !! God bless you both 🙏

This recipe is as old as time. I am 84 years old and I been making this all my life. Only I use sliced tomatoes and I use catalina dressing. Any dressing is good. It is especially good to take to reunions and picnics. I never use sugar in my cucumber salad

Hi Tom I really enjoy your recipes I love all of them from your Fan from Maysville ,Ky.

Going to keep a jar of the dressing in the fridge at all times. Would be delicious on any fresh vegetables. YUM❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍😁😁😁💕💕😘

I get so hungry watching your videos! Thank you for sharing this yummy looking recipe. 😋

OMG....I'm so in luv with ur kitchen. My hubby jus got dn remodeling my kitchen few wks ago. Thts the kind of counter tops I wanted bt bc they were pricey....n I didn't wanna go in debt. So my hubby put in butcher block counters. Nxt summer he's going put a big island in the middle...I was going get a nook bt due to a heater vent n it being more complicated we decided on island. This is r 2nd home we've bought n we jus bought this one Feb 2022 bt lived here for 6yrs before buying it! Jus made cucumbers-onion salad today bt already made them before I seen ur video. I will be saving this for future!

My summertime lunch. I keep it in my fridge. I do like tomato and black olive in it. No carrots or sugar.

Oh my can’t wait to make this ! And thank you for the tips. Oh and by the way your such a perfectionist Tom,😂 It’s great though… and hi to Melissa ! Oh and I so agree about the farmers markets,I go to one here in N.C and all veggies and fruits are delightful .

Love simple salads like this.