Privacy Policy · Terms and Conditions · Disclosure Statement · License Policy · Sitemap
This quick recipe pickled cucumber salad we will be sharing is the perfect side dish for any meal. This fresh zingy salad is also great as a healthy snack. Refreshing and zesty, it is also incredibly easy to make, taking only a few minutes of your time.
This pickled cucumber salad works really well with marinated chicken dishes. The zesty freshness of the salad complements the flavorful chicken. You’ll be amazed at how quick and easy this flavourful salad is to make.
I’m only using 3 vegetables in this fresh salad. Cucumber, red onion, and fresh Anaheim chili peppers. I’m also using some Korean apple double strength vinegar, Himalayan pink salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

Our Recipe Pickled Cucumber Salad Ready In Minutes
Our recipe for pickled cucumber salad only needs a few simple and healthy ingredients. This simple little salad can add multiple dimensions to other dishes.
First, we’ll take a look at these simple ingredients and any substitutions and variations. This recipe pickled cucumber salad is a real gem and handy to add to your recipe repertoire.
This salad looks simple, however, it packs a flavorful punch. I like to think of it as simple in technique but mighty in flavor.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
- ½ telegraph cucumber.
- 1 small red onion.
- 1 chili pepper (we’re using an Anaheim chili).
- 2-3 tablespoons Korean double strength apple vinegar.
- Quality sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
How to season food is an art that combines creativity, intuition, and a deep understanding of flavors. That transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary culinary masterpieces.

Substitutions
Some of these ingredients you don’t have access to. No problem there are substitutions that you can use.
- Firstly, you could use zucchini, fennel bulb, or even carrot instead of cucumber.
- Next the red onion, you can use shallots, scallions, or even garlic chives.
- Now the chili pepper. You can use a spicy variety of chili, or red bell peppers.
- Korean apple vinegar, a substitute for this could be apple cider vinegar. Or you can use white wine, champagne, or distilled white vinegar.
Fresh Telegraph Cucumber
Telegraph cucumbers, also known as English cucumbers, are a type of cucumber that is long and slender with thin, edible skin. They have a mild, refreshing flavor with a crisp texture.
Unlike other types of cucumbers, telegraph cucumbers do not have a bitter taste or a tough skin, making them ideal for salads and fresh pickled.
One of the advantages of using telegraph cucumbers is you can scrap out the seeds. Then thinly slice them or dice them to add to salads, salsas, and sandwiches.
Their mild flavor also makes them a great base for dips, allowing other flavors to shine through. Telegraph cucumbers are also a healthy ingredient to incorporate into meals.
They are low in calories and high in water content, making them a great option for those watching their weight and can help you to stay hydrated.

Korean Double Strength Apple Vinegar
Through the ancient process of fermentation, apple cider vinegar is born from humble apples. As the sugars in the fruit are fermented, a healthy substance called acetic acid is created. This is what gives vinegar its characteristic smell and distinctive tangy flavor.
One of the advantages of using Korean double strength apple vinegar in cooking is that it can add a unique flavor profile to dishes. It is best used in sauces, dressings, marinades, and for pickling. It imparts a sweet, tangy, refreshing kick.
It can also be used to add acidity to dishes without overwhelming other flavors, making it a versatile ingredient. The great thing about Korean apple vinegar is it isn’t overly acidic and is perfect for making this recipe pickled cucumber.

Anaheim Chili Peppers
Anaheim chili peppers are mild to medium heat pepper. They are commonly used in Mexican cuisine. They are long and slightly slender, with a tapered end and a bright green color when fresh. When fully ripe, they turn red and develop a sweeter flavor.
In terms of taste, Anaheim chili peppers have a mild, slightly sweet flavor. They are not as spicy as jalapeño peppers, but can still add a little bit of heat to dishes. They are often used in salsas, sauces, and salads to add color, flavor, and depth without being too overpowering.
One of the advantages of using Anaheim chili peppers is their versatility in the kitchen. They can be roasted, grilled, sautéed, or fried, and can be used fresh. They are also a low-calorie and low-fat ingredient, making them a healthy addition to meals.

The Recipe Pickled Cucumber Salad
- Cut The Cucumber — Longways and using a teaspoon scrape out the seeds. This will leave the cucumber flesh with a half-round channel in the middle. Most of the water content is held in the fleshly seeds.
- This is easily done by lightly scraping down the center of the cucumber until all the seeds are removed.
Chefs Pro Tip — Removing the cucumber seeds will stop the salad from becoming watery. This is because a lot of the water content is held in the seeds. This will also help keep the cucumber flesh nice and crisp.

- Slice The Cucumber — Along with the red onion, and chili into about 1cm (0.4 inches) thick slices. Place them into a bowl, and add the Korean apple vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Taste and adjust the vinegar and seasoning if needed. Let the pickled cucumber salad sit for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Overall, our pickled cucumber salad is a fantastic way to add some tangy flavor to any meal. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly versatile, making it the perfect side dish for any occasion.
Whether you’re serving it in a burger, alongside some rubbed pork belly, or as a side or appetizer, this salad is sure to impress!
What Type Of Cucumbers Are Best For Pickling?
The type of cucumbers you can use are Telegraph or Persian cucumbers. They are both best for pickling due to their thinner skin, fewer seeds, crisp texture, and color.
Can I Use A Different Type Of Vinegar Besides Apple Vinegar?
Yes, you can use other types of vinegar, such as white, white wine, or champagne vinegar. However, you must add a sugar sprinkling to cut through the acidity.
You can also use another fruit vinegar or rice vinegar. Using Korean double strength apple vinegar will give you the best of both, as it isn’t overly acidic and has a subtle fruity sweetness.
Can I Adjust The Level Of Spiciness In The Salad?
Yes, you can adjust the spiciness by adding other spicier varieties of fresh chilies, dried chili flakes, or even chili powder.
Cooking Is A Science And A Skill
Cooking is a science and a skill that requires a deep understanding of both the technical and creative aspects. Cooking is also a matter of precise measurements and ratios.
For example, baking is particularly sensitive to accurate measurements and temperatures. A slight deviation in the amount of an ingredient or cooking degrees can result in a completely different outcome. So, to help you here is a handy little unit converter tool for cooking without guesswork.
Quick Recipe Pickled Cucumber Salad The Perfect Side Dish
DESCRIPTION
DISH SUMMARY
INGREDIENTS
- ½ Cucumber telegraph or Persian
- 1 small Onion red
- 1 Chili pepper mild or medium heat
- 3 tbsp Vinegar Korean apple double strength
- Sea salt Himalayan pink
- Black pepper freshly ground
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cut The Cucumber – Longways and using a teaspoon scrape out the seeds. This will leave the cucumber flesh with a half-round channel in the middle. Most of the water content is held in the fleshly seeds.This is easily done by lightly scraping down the center of the cucumber until all the seeds are removed.
- Slice The Cucumber – Along with the red onion, and chili into about 1cm (0.4 inches) thick slices.
- Place them into a bowl, and add the Korean apple vinegar, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the vinegar and seasoning if needed. Let the pickled cucumber salad sit for 10-15 minutes before serving.
CHEFS TIPS
- Firstly instead of cucumber you could use zucchini, fennel bulb, or even carrot.
- Next the red onion, you can use shallots, scallions, or even garlic chives.
- Now the chili pepper. You can use a spicy variety of chili, or red bell peppers.
- Korean apple vinegar, a substitute for this could be apple cider vinegar. Or you can use white wine, champagne, or distilled white vinegar.
- Removing the cucumber seeds will stop the salad from becoming watery. This is because a lot of the water content is held in the seeds. This will also help keep the cucumber flesh nice and crisp.
- Let the pickled cucumber stand for 5-10 minutes to allow the vinegar to pickle the vegetables.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
This recipe and its accompanying photographs are protected by copyright. While we encourage you to share or link back to this recipe. We ask that you do not copy and paste the full recipe onto social media or your blog.






