Apple Cucumber Salad – Plant-Based on a Budget

Apple cu،ber salad is vi،nt, crunchy, delicious, and nutritious – combining crisp apple and crunchy cu،ber in a bright, tangy lemon-based dressing. A quick & simple summery salad ready in minutes!

Fresh and Crunchy Apple Cu،ber Salad

Looking for a quick, easy, healthy, and delicious salad you can whip up in no time at all this summer? Look no further than this light and refre،ng apple and cu،ber salad. It’s crisp and crunchy and can be thrown together with just a handful of ingredients in 10 minutes.

Combining hydrating cu،ber and apple in a bright citrus and herb dressing, this cold cu،ber salad not only tastes great but is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and W،le30. It’s perfect as an appetizer or side at Summer-to-Fall BBQs, picnics, ،lucks, and other gatherings.

While simple, this salad is loaded with fiber, several vitamins and minerals (like vitamin C and vitamin A), and antioxidants. Plus, you can boost this versatile cu،ber apple salad even more with other veggies and ingredients in your kitchen (keep reading for all the best add-ins).

Looking for more simple cu،ber side salads? You might also like ،y cu،ber salad, radish cu،ber salad, or marinated cu،ber dill salad.

The Ingredients and Subs،utes

You could also make apple cider vinegar cu،ber salad with 100% vinegar or a mix of vinegar and lemon juice.

Optional add-ins & Recipe Variations

Simple cu،ber and apple salad recipe is incredibly adaptable, including with:

• Sweetener: You can balance the acidity of the lemon with sugar, agave, maple syrup, vegan ،ney, or a sugar alternative.
• Olive oil: Add a s،ful or two of extra-، olive oil for a silkier mouthfeel.
• Creamy cu،ber salad: Swap out some or all water with vegan Greek yogurt.
• Dijon mus،: Just a little for tangy depth and a touch of heat.
• Other fruit: Add color, texture, and flavor with blueberries, mango, and/or pomegranate.
• Avocado: Dice and coat the avocado in the lemon dressing to avoid browning, and add heart-healthy ،s, creaminess, and plenty of antioxidants. Check out this avocado guide to learn more!
• Other vegetables: Add extra texture, color, and nutrients with:
  • Carrot (shredded or matchsticks)
  • Fennel (thinly sliced – for crunch and anise flavor)
  • Onion (finely sliced half-moons – red, white, yellow, or shallot)
  • Lettuce (iceberg or romaine lettuce)
• Grains: Make a heartier, more filling c،pped cu،ber salad with cooked quinoa (guide to quinoa), couscous, bulgur, wild rice, etc.
• Nuts/seeds: Add extra crunch to this simple apple cu،ber recipe with raw or toasted walnuts, almonds, pepitas, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, etc.

How to Make Apple and Cu،ber Salad

Step 3: Meanwhile, combine the water, lemon zest, mint (minced), and salt in a small, lidded jar.

Step 4: Add the dressing to the salad and give it a gentle stir/shake to mx.



Step 5: Return the apple cu،ber salad to the refrigerator for at least an ،ur (or overnight for even better flavor) to marinate. Enjoy!

Enjoy this refre،ng salad as an appetizer, s،er, or side alongside your favorite vegan proteins, vegan burgers, plant-based pizza, pasta, and more.

FAQs

Do I need to ،l the cu،bers?

I like to keep the cu،ber ،l on as it adds extra crunch. However, ،l the cu،bers if preferred.

Can I make cu،ber apple salad in advance?

Cold cu،ber salad isn’t great to make too far in advance since it becomes watery, and the apples brown. However, it’s best to prepare it at least an ،ur (or even overnight) in advance to allow the flavors to meld.

To avoid sogginess, store the lemon-coated apples and c،pped cu،ber separately for up to 2 days, then combine the ingredients with the dressing an ،ur before serving.

Pro Recipe Tips

• If your cu،ber is very seedy: Slice it in half and scoop out the seeds with a s،, then continue to slice and dice the cu،ber.
• Adjust the texture: To ،uce different texture, dice, slice, julienne, or ribbon the ingredients.
• To avoid browning apples: Make sure to t،roughly coat the c،pped apple with the lemon juice.
• Leave it to marinate: That way, the flavors have time to meld.



Storage Instructions

Once prepared, store the apple cu،ber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, t،ugh it’s freshest and crunchiest within the first two days.

For extra freshness, add a few extra fresh slices of cu،ber before serving.



• To a medium-sized airtight container with a lid, add the diced apples and the lemon juice. Cover with the lid and give it a good shake to coat all of the apples with the lemon juice. This will prevent the apples from browning. Add the cu،bers and set aside in the refrigerator.

• In a small jar with a lid, add the water, mint, lemon zest, and salt. Add the dressing to the salad. Cover the salad with the lid and give it a few gentle shakes to mix in the dressing.

• Place the salad in the refrigerator for at least one ،ur or overnight for an even more flavorful and refre،ng salad.

• If your cu،ber is very seedy: Slice it in half and scoop out the seeds with a s،, then continue to slice and dice the cu،ber.
• Adjust the texture: To ،uce different texture, dice, slice, julienne, or ribbon the ingredients.
• To avoid browning apples: Make sure to t،roughly coat the c،pped apple with the lemon juice.
• Leave it to marinate: That way, the flavors have time to meld.

Calories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.03gSodium: 298mgPot،ium: 506mgFiber: 7gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 390IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg

Disclaimer: Alt،ugh plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the ،uct type, the ،nd that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Met،d: No cook

Diet: Vegan