Easy New York Deli-Style Cucumber Salad is the tangy, cold cucumber salad found in New York delicatessens and Jewish bagel shops in NYC and on Long Island! A simple, one-bowl vegan health salad.
New York deli salads
Deli salads are amazingly flavorful, and New York delis and bagel shops have some of the best salads anywhere!
But why should you stand in line and pay expensive deli prices?
Cucumber salad is simple to make at home, and it uses just one bowl!
It’s dairy-free and vegan! It’s also budget-friendly!
It refrigerates well, so it’s a great make-ahead recipe. Pack it for lunch to work or school and save lunch money.
It’s a unique, refreshing dish for deli tables, barbeques, and picnics! And a terrific salad for potlucks.
Also, cucumbers have nutritional benefits!
Some cooking terms for you!
What does it mean when recipes say “to taste” about an ingredient?
When recipes say “to taste,” it means that you can put in as little or as much as you like to your own taste. Some recipes have many ingredients that a cook can adjust to their own taste when cooking (not so much when baking though).
The best way to calculate what your taste is with a recipe that you are not yet familiar with is to first taste the dish and then add the “to taste” ingredient GRADUALLY, a little at a time—a splash of this or a pinch of that—until the dish is just the way you like it. Make sure to stir the ingredient after each time you add it so that the flavor will distribute evenly and become part of the dish. Then taste again. Repeat until you reach your personal preference.
Note: If you plan on using the recipe again, it is highly recommended to make a note of what and how much you added so that you can refer to it next time.
What does it mean when a recipe says that an ingredient is “optional”?
If an ingredient is “optional,” it means that you can add it in or not based on your own preference. An optional ingredient can be flavor-related (i.e., salty, sweet, spicy, etc.), appearance-related (garnish), or even something like nuts or chocolate chips in baking.
What does “savory” mean?
“Savory” refers to foods that are not sweet, such as foods that taste salty, spicy, or herbal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make this New York deli-style cucumber salad ahead of time?
Yes. In fact, letting the cucumber salad sit in the refrigerator for at least a few hours or overnight allows the cucumbers to marinate and absorb the tangy dressing flavors even better.
If you find that there is extra liquid after it has chilled, you can just pour it out or mix it in before you serve.
How long does cucumber salad last in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, this crisp health salad will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days, though the cucumbers will naturally release more water over time.
Is this recipe vegan and dairy-free?
Yes. This traditional New York deli health salad is 100% plant-based, dairy-free, and vegan, containing no animal products or dairy.
What kind of cucumbers are best for deli cucumber salad?
English cucumbers or traditional Kirby cucumbers work best because they are crisp, have fewer seeds, and hold up well to the vinegar marinade without getting overly soggy.
Do I need to peel the cucumbers?
Peeling is optional. If you use English cucumbers with thin skin, you can leave the skin on for extra color and crunch, or peel them partially in stripes for a classic deli appearance.
What is needed to make New York deli-style cucumber salad?
I hardly ever meal plan, so I like to keep a cupboard full of seasonings, spices, veggies, and canned goods in my kitchen to use whenever the mood strikes.
But these are all you need to have on hand to make this recipe even last minute!
cucumbers
medium onion (preferably a sweet purple onion)
white vinegar
white granulated sugar
fresh chopped dill (you can leave this out in a pinch)
salt
ground pepper (white or black)
If you want to try some other delicious deli salads, try these!
Easy Deli-Style Coleslaw
Easy Deli-Style Red Cabbage Salad
Easy Deli-Style Potato Salad
Easy Deli-S’tyle Macaroni Salad
Or just put “deli-style” in the search bar!
Easy New York Deli-Style Cucumber Salad Recipe
Delicious, dairy-free, and vegan cold cucumber salad like in New York delis and bagel shops!
Ingredients
- 3 cucumbers, thinly sliced (peel, if desired)
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced (sweet purple onion preferred)
- 2/3 cup white vinegar
- 2/3 cup water
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper (white or black)
Instructions
- Place the sliced cucumber in a large mixing bowl.
- Fold in the vinegar, water, sugar, dill, salt, and pepper until evenly spread throughout the cucumber slices.
- Chill until cold (an hour or two).
- Before use, you can pour out excess liquid (from seeping from the cucumbers), if so desired.
Notes
All of the flavors are basically "to taste," as everyone has their own preference.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 105Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 283mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 19gProtein: 2g