Creamy Cucumber and Onion Salad
My garden cucumbers are out of control this year! They just became ready about 2 weeks ago and since then, I’ve picked over 60 cukes from only a couple of plants. I see plenty of pickles in my future. But other than some gifted cucumbers to family friends, most of the cuke surplus has been made into a couple batches of this, Creamy Cucumber and Onion Salad.
This recipe, with some modifications, comes from our family friend, Jo.
Jo is always great for fresh, summer recipes like this Creamy Italian Pasta Salad I posted last year.
There are 2 keys to this recipe.
Giving the sliced cucumbers a little salt water soak, before assembling the salad.
This helps to both season the cukes and have them release some of their excess moisture. Making sure that once you add the dressing it won’t become a watered down soup.
And #2
You. Have. To. Use. Miracle. Whip!
I’m a mayonnaise girl myself, but this is the one recipe where substituting is not going to be good.
Don’t ask me the science behind it all, but cucumbers and mayonnaise are not friends. The dressing becomes separated and thin.
Miracle Whip will ensure this recipe stays thick and creamy!
Take it to a family potluck (like I did last week at our county fair).
Or serve alongside your favorite grilled meats and side dishes.
It’s one salad that is sure to be well loved.
Creamy Cucumber and Onion Salad
Ingredients
- 10 cups Cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 Onion, thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 cups Miracle Whip
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 3 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions
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Put the cucumbers in a large container. Cover the cucumbers with salt water (about 1 tsp salt to 1 cup of cold water). Refrigerate for about 2 hours.
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Drain soaked cucumbers, rinse thoroughly, and place into a large container with sliced onion. In a separate bowl, stir together Miracle Whip, sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Pour dressing over cucumbers and onion. Stir to combine.
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Refrigerate salad for several hours to overnight. Flavors need time to mingle.
Excellent! I used mayo instead of MW and added some dill.
Sounds delicious!
It’s delicious but leftover is moral whip sauce is runny. Is there a way I can thicken it. I plan on putting more cakes in it today.
Hi Laura. Yes sometimes the sauce does get runny because cukes can give off a lot of water. That’s why in the recipe I usually do the salt soak first with the cucumbers to remove some of their excess water and season them. It doesn’t cure the problem, but does help. When my batch gets runny, I usually do as you have planned. Add in more cukes! 😉
I knew there was a recipe that used Miracle Whip! This is the same way my mom made them. Thank you for sharing.
Great to hear Lisa! Yes, this is a family friend’s recipe and Miracle Whip is the key!
So glad I found this! My mom used to make this and I never learned how. I knew she used Miracle Whip, though. I just didn’t know the measurements. Thanks!
Lisa, I’m glad that you found the recipe as well! Hope it’s just as you remember mom making.
This was truly amazing!! I think it’s my one of my few favorite recipes this summer! You are totally right on waiting till the next day though! I tried it when I first made it, was just cuke salad. The next day, it magically became awesome!! My son stopped by and was afraid to try it, he took 2 little pieces, lol. He came back for more and asked for some to take home for his roommate! Ty so much for sharing this recipe! It will be my go-to forever!
I love this Phyllis! And I’m so glad that you were able to spread the love to your son and his roommate.
Happy New Year’s, I have 2 questions. 1.) Can you use purple onions and 2.) How long is this salad good for , leftover wise???
Happy New Year Evelyn! I haven’t tried it with purple onions, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. The salad can last 1 to maybe 3 days in the fridge. The cucumbers keep giving off some water/liquid and it makes the dressing start to fall apart after a few days.
Prep the dukes, make the dressing. And keep separate. Blend together from each container as you want to serve/consume. Separately stored eliminates the puddling of dressing.
Great idea Stephanie!
My friend Jim Blanchard from Rockport taught me how to make this salad but I couldn’t remember the amount for each ingredients. Thank you for posting. Jim has since died but I will never forget him or his cuke and onion salad and now I have the recipe!
Karen thanks for the review and story. I am so happy that this recipe could help remind you of a dear friend.
My mom used to make this, I knew some of the ingredients. This was just like my mom’s. She passed away 5 years ago, I miss her, but her recipes will always keep her in my heart. She loved to cook.
I love this Tracey! Glad these runzas could provide a little bit of mom.
Hi,
I need to have the cucumber and onion salad fir 2 servings. Can you advise?
Thank you,
Julie
If you quarter the recipe it will be smaller (around 2-4 servings). Should still work well.
Perfect -just the taste I was looking for and remember. First time making creamy cucumber salad. I let it rest overnight and then could not stop eating it. Have to make it again it was so good. I picked fresh dill from the garden as I though it should have some. Thought it would be too sweet but it was so good!
Thanks for the review Diane! So glad you enjoyed it!
Do not soak the cucumbers in salted water. Just slice them and sprinkle a teaspoon or 2 sea salt on them and let them drain in a colander for an hour 🙂
Exactly what I do!! Dang good cuke salad.
I was going to say the same thing. I make my cuke salad with vinegar and sugar. Draining the cukes in a colander works wonders.
What are the black flecks in the photo of the cucumber salad? Pepper? The ingredient list doesn’t clue me in. Thank you.
Yes… I topped the cukes with a sprinkle of black pepper.
can i freeze the cucumbers & onions
using miracle whip
I know people who have froze cukes and onions and it works in a pinch, but it doesn’t have the same texture as fresh. Most of the time it is more watery as well.
I am a cook at the hospital in this small Kansas town where I live, the staff loves this little summer salad. Thanks for sharing!
Awe! So glad you and those at the hospital enjoy this salad. It’s a good one.
Perfect just the way it is’ no need to change anything. This tasted exactly like my mothers. Thanks
Happy I can help bring a taste of mom’s cooking back to your home.
I found this recipe on Pinterest and am now looking at all your recipes! This was excellent!
Awe! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe and are looking for more good eats!