Transform your summer meals with the vibrant zest and satisfying crunch of this incredible Cucumber Slaw! This refreshing side dish is a culinary revelation, offering a perfect balance of creamy texture, tangy flavor, and crisp freshness. It’s the ideal companion for cutting through the richness of grilled meats or cooling down the spice of your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes. Best of all, this delightful shredded cucumber salad comes together in mere minutes using simple, everyday ingredients you likely already have on hand, making it an effortless addition to any menu.
Our unique creamy cucumber slaw offers a delightful twist on traditional coleslaw recipes. Instead of relying solely on cabbage, we elevate the classic by incorporating crisp, thinly shredded cucumber alongside red cabbage, which adds both beautiful color and an appealing bite. The magic lies in the dressing: a luscious blend of creamy mayonnaise, tangy sour cream, and bright lime juice. This combination creates a cool, refreshing tang that complements a wide array of main courses, making it a truly versatile summer side dish.
This shredded cucumber salad truly shines during the warmer months, especially when cucumbers are fresh and in season. It’s a wonderfully hydrating and light option that brings a cool sensation to your palate. Imagine it piled high on savory fish tacos, tucked into a juicy burger, or served as a vibrant side at your next backyard BBQ or picnic. For an extra layer of flavor and texture, consider mixing in avocado for creaminess, scallions for a mild oniony bite, or even a few slices of red chili for a subtle kick, ensuring every bite of this easy cucumber slaw is unforgettable!
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Refreshing Cucumber Slaw
This quick and easy cucumber slaw isn’t just a recipe; it’s a game-changer for your summer cooking. Here’s why it deserves a permanent spot in your culinary repertoire:
- Elevates Weeknight Meals in Just 10 Minutes: Imagine transforming ordinary homemade tacos into a gourmet experience with minimal effort. This shredded cucumber salad adds an irresistible layer of flavor, a delightful textural contrast, and a vibrant dimension to any dish. With the ingredients readily available, you can achieve this culinary upgrade without any extra fuss or extensive planning, making it perfect for busy evenings.
- The Ultimate Heat Tamer: For those who love a little spice but appreciate balance, this creamy slaw is your secret weapon. Culinary experts know that dairy-based ingredients are fantastic for neutralizing capsaicin, the compound responsible for chili heat. The rich sour cream and mayonnaise in our dressing act as a delicious balm for your taste buds, allowing everyone, from spice novices to chili enthusiasts, to enjoy those fiery flavors without being overwhelmed. It’s a true palate saver!
- Remarkably Versatile and Flavorful: This isn’t just a recipe for fish tacos; its adaptability knows no bounds. The crispness and creamy tang of this slaw inject a much-needed crunch and fresh flavor into a variety of dishes. Try it as a refreshing topping for egg salad or tuna salad sandwiches, where it adds a bright, textural counterpoint. It’s particularly exquisite as a crunchy side for fish tacos and truly shines when paired with chicken street tacos. Beyond tacos, consider it a vibrant accompaniment to grilled chicken, pulled pork sliders, or even as a standalone side for any barbecue spread.
Essential Ingredients and Smart Substitutions
Crafting the perfect cucumber slaw starts with understanding your ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what goes into this refreshing dish and how you can adapt it to your preferences:
- Red Cabbage: This vibrant vegetable is a slaw superstar! Its firm texture provides an excellent crunch, and its beautiful purple hue adds visual appeal to your dish. Beyond slaw, red cabbage is incredibly versatile and a nutritious staple for any home cook to keep on hand, boasting vitamins C and K, and powerful antioxidants.
- Smoked Paprika: The smoky, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy notes of smoked paprika add depth and warmth to the dressing. It’s an essential component that elevates the overall flavor profile. If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular paprika works for color, but for a similar flavor profile, try a pinch of chili powder for a savory warmth or a tiny dash of cayenne pepper for a spicier kick.
- Fresh Cilantro: Cilantro brings a bright, fresh, and citrusy aroma to the cucumber slaw. However, if you’re one of the individuals who find cilantro tastes like soap due to a genetic predisposition, don’t despair! Flat-leaf parsley is an excellent substitute, offering a clean, herbaceous freshness without the divisive flavor. You can also experiment with other fresh herbs like dill or mint for a different, equally delightful twist.
- Jalapeño: This pepper provides a mild, pleasant heat that complements the cooling cucumber beautifully. For those who prefer less heat, a banana pepper is a fantastic, milder alternative that still offers a satisfying crunch. If you crave a more fiery experience, consider incorporating a finely minced ancho chile or a generous pinch of ancho chili powder for a robust, smoky spice. Jalapeños are also fantastic in other dishes like jalapeño soup, quick jalapeño salsa, or jalapeño popper wonton cups.
Choosing the Best Cucumbers for Your Slaw
The type of cucumber you choose can significantly impact the texture and flavor of your taco slaw. While any variety can work, here’s a guide to help you select the best:
- English Cucumbers: These are our top choice for cucumber slaw. They are typically longer, have a noticeably sweeter flavor, and contain significantly fewer seeds, meaning more edible flesh and a cleaner taste. Their thin skin is also palatable and rarely needs peeling, saving you prep time and adding extra nutrients.
- Persian Cucumbers: Another excellent option, Persian cucumbers are shorter, virtually seedless, and boast a thin skin similar to English cucumbers. They offer a delicate crunch and mild flavor. You’ll generally need about 4 Persian cucumbers to substitute for one English cucumber in this recipe due to their smaller size.
- North American Garden Cucumbers: The common garden variety cucumber is recognizable by its thicker skin and larger, often bitter seeds. If using these, it’s advisable to peel the thick skin and scoop out the seeds before shredding to avoid any bitterness and excessive moisture. Approximately two garden cucumbers can be used in place of one English cucumber.
Ultimately, any cucumber variety can be used to make a delicious slaw for fish tacos or other dishes; the key is simply understanding the characteristics of each type so you can prepare them appropriately for the best results.
Creative Cucumber Slaw Variations
While our core cucumber slaw recipe is simple and perfect as is, it’s also a fantastic canvas for culinary creativity. Here are some ideas to customize your slaw:
- Make it Dairy-Free: Easily adapt this recipe by using a high-quality plant-based mayonnaise and opting for a dairy-free yogurt (such as unsweetened coconut or almond-based yogurt) in place of sour cream. Ensure your chosen dairy-free alternatives have a neutral flavor to let the fresh veggies shine.
- Amplify the Crunch: For an even more textural experience, incorporate finely shredded carrots for a touch of sweetness, thinly sliced radishes for a peppery bite, or crisp jicama for a slightly nutty and refreshing crunch. These additions also add more color and nutritional value to your homemade veggie slaw.
- Inject More Spice: If you love a bolder flavor profile, add an extra pinch of cayenne pepper, finely chopped red chili flakes, or even a dash of hot sauce to the dressing. Adjust to your preferred heat level!
- Go Tropical: Introduce a sweet and tangy dimension by folding in diced mango or fresh pineapple chunks. The juicy sweetness of tropical fruits pairs wonderfully with the cooling cucumber and creamy dressing, making it a perfect summer salad.
- Boost Herbaceousness: While cilantro offers a distinct flavor, swapping it for fresh dill or mint can completely change the character of your slaw. Dill brings a tangy, almost pickly note, while mint adds a cool, invigorating twist, perfect for a refreshing cucumber salad.
- Expand with Seasonal Vegetables: Our basic slaw for tacos focuses on cabbage and cucumbers, which is delightful. However, don’t hesitate to incorporate other seasonal vegetables! Carrots are typically in season from late spring through the end of the year, offering a year-round option for adding sweetness and color. Radishes, another versatile vegetable available year-round, contribute a zesty, peppery kick and a vibrant pop of color to your cucumber slaw.
Key Equipment for Making Perfect Cucumber Slaw
Preparing this easy cucumber slaw requires just a few basic kitchen tools:
- Box Grater or Food Processor: Essential for efficiently shredding your cucumbers and cabbage to achieve that desirable uniform texture. A food processor with a shredding attachment will make quick work of the task, while a standard box grater is perfectly effective for manual shredding.
- Small Bowl and Whisk: These are used for perfectly emulsifying the creamy dressing ingredients until smooth and well combined.
- Large Bowl: This provides ample space to combine all your prepped vegetables and dressing, allowing for easy and thorough tossing to ensure every piece is beautifully coated.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Cucumber Slaw
Creating this irresistible creamy cucumber slaw is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time:
- Prepare the Luscious Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh lime juice, honey, a pinch of kosher salt, and a dash of smoked paprika. Use a fork or a small whisk to vigorously whisk these ingredients together until the dressing is completely smooth and creamy. Set this aside.
Pro Tip on Sweetness: Honey, being a thinner and fresher sweetener than granulated sugar or corn syrup, can be easy to overdo, especially the first time you make your cucumber slaw dressing. An overly sweet dressing, particularly for those without a strong sweet tooth, can detract from the overall balance of your fish taco slaw. We highly recommend mixing all dressing ingredients except the honey first, then taste testing. Gradually add the honey, a little at a time, tasting after each addition until you reach your desired level of sweetness. This ensures a perfectly balanced and flavorful dressing.
- Prep the Fresh Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, add your finely shredded cucumber, shredded red cabbage, minced jalapeño (remember to remove seeds for less heat), and chopped fresh cilantro.
Achieving Uniform Shreds: While flavor is paramount, presentation truly enhances the dining experience. For beautifully even shreds of vegetables in your taco slaw, consider using a sharp chef’s knife for fine julienne cuts, a julienne peeler, a mandoline slicer for consistent thinness, or a spiralizer. Uniform pieces not only look appealing but also ensure a consistent texture and even distribution of the dressing.
- Gently Combine: Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the prepped vegetables in the large bowl. Using a spoon or tongs, gently toss all the ingredients together until every piece of vegetable is thoroughly coated in the delicious dressing. Avoid over-tossing to maintain the crispness of the vegetables.
- Chill and Serve: For the best flavor integration and a truly refreshing experience, chill the cucumber slaw in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the slaw to become perfectly cool. Serve it alongside your favorite fish tacos, shrimp tacos, grilled chicken, or any dish that benefits from a fresh, tangy, and crunchy counterpoint.
🎯 Expert Tip for Perfect Slices
For exquisitely uniform and thin slices of cucumber in your creamy cucumber slaw, a mandoline slicer is an invaluable kitchen tool. It allows you to achieve consistent thickness quickly and safely, which is key for both an appealing presentation and a harmonious texture in your dish. If you don’t own a mandoline, don’t worry! With a sharp chef’s knife and a steady hand, you can still achieve excellent thin slices – just take your time and exercise caution. Additionally, to prevent your slaw from becoming watery and to keep it perfectly crisp and refreshing, consider removing the seeds from your cucumbers before slicing, especially if you’re using standard garden cucumbers with larger seeds.
Serving Suggestions
This shredded cucumber salad, with its bright flavor and crisp texture, is remarkably versatile, making it a fantastic addition to almost any meal. Here are some delicious ways to serve it:
- Taco Topping: The most popular pairing! This slaw is heavenly with fish tacos, shrimp tacos, chicken tacos, or even vegetarian bean tacos. Its cool creaminess and crunch perfectly complement the warm tortillas and savory fillings.
- BBQ & Grilled Meats: Serve as a refreshing side with smoky smoked chicken thighs, juicy grilled pork chops, or tender slow cooker teriyaki ribs. The tanginess cuts through the richness beautifully.
- Sandwiches & Burgers: Elevate your next sandwich or burger! Pile it high on Dutch oven pulled pork sliders, grilled chicken sandwiches, or even a classic cheeseburger for an unexpected burst of flavor and texture.
- Picnics & Potlucks: This summer coleslaw is a crowd-pleaser and travels well (just keep it chilled!). It’s a lighter, more refreshing alternative to traditional potato salad or pasta salad at any outdoor gathering.
- Seafood Pairings: Beyond tacos, this slaw is a stellar companion for any grilled or pan-seared seafood, like salmon, cod, or scallops. Its fresh profile enhances the delicate flavors of the ocean.
- As a Side Salad: Sometimes, simplicity is best. Serve it as a light and refreshing side salad alongside any main course, particularly those that are hearty or spicy, to provide balance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cucumber Slaw
Historically, “coleslaw” specifically refers to a salad made primarily from shredded cabbage, often dressed in a creamy mayonnaise-based sauce or a vinegar-based vinaigrette. The term itself comes from the Dutch word “koolsla,” meaning “cabbage salad.” In modern culinary language, “slaw” has become a broader, shorthand term that refers to almost any kind of salad made with a collection of thinly sliced or shredded vegetables, typically mixed with a creamy dressing. So, while all coleslaw is a type of slaw, not all slaws are coleslaw. Our cucumber slaw is a perfect example of this distinction, swapping out much of the traditional cabbage for refreshing cucumber.
Yes, Greek yogurt can be a fantastic, high-protein, and generally healthier substitute for mayonnaise in this creamy dressing. It offers a similar tang and a wonderful creamy texture. However, Greek yogurt typically has a less fatty and salty flavor profile than mayonnaise. When making this substitution, you might find it necessary to compensate by adding a bit more salt, a touch more lime juice, or even a small amount of extra sour cream to achieve the desired balance of flavor and richness. Start with a small amount and taste as you go to get it just right.
Homemade cucumber slaw can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Due to the presence of mayonnaise and sour cream in the dressing, it is critically important to keep the slaw properly chilled. Avoid leaving the dressing or the prepared slaw at room temperature for any extended period, as this can drastically shorten its shelf life and compromise food safety. For the best flavor and texture, it’s always ideal to prepare the slaw as close to your serving date as possible, as cucumbers can release water over time. If preparing ahead, you might want to drain any excess liquid before serving to maintain its crispness.
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Cucumber Slaw
By Renae Gerhardstein
This refreshing cucumber slaw is light, creamy, and perfect for tacos, BBQ, or as a vibrant summer side dish! Try this easy shredded cucumber salad recipe today for a delicious burst of fresh flavor.
Pin Recipe
Equipment
- 1 small mixing bowl
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- 1 whisk
- Grater or food processor
Ingredients
Dressing
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (chili powder or cayenne are good substitutes)
Slaw
- 2 cups finely shredded red cabbage
- 1 English cucumber, peeled and shredded (see notes for substitutions)
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro (or flat leaf parsley)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, honey, salt, and paprika. Whisk with a fork until smooth. Set aside.
- To a medium bowl, add the red cabbage, cucumber, jalapeño, and cilantro. Pour the creamy dressing over the vegetables and stir until well combined. Serve immediately or chill until ready to enjoy with fish tacos or shrimp tacos.
Notes
- For uniform, thin cucumber slices, use a mandoline slicer. If using a knife, take your time for consistent results. Removing seeds helps reduce excess moisture for a crispier slaw.
Recipe Variations:
- Dairy-free: Use plant-based mayo and a dairy-free yogurt.
- Extra crunch: Add shredded carrots, thinly sliced radish, or jicama.
- Spicier: Include a pinch of cayenne or finely chopped red chili.
- Tropical twist: Mix in diced mango or pineapple.
- More herbaceous: Swap cilantro for fresh dill or mint.
Storing Instructions:
- Store homemade cucumber slaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep it chilled to maintain freshness and safety due to the dairy in the dressing.