Crispy Apple Cucumber Salad with Mint Yogurt Dressing
Apple cucumber salad is the perfect summer side dish. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to crispy apples every time. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Cozy Moroccan Sweet Potato and Chickpea Soup Recipe and Easy Coconut Lime Fish Curry with Jasmine Rice Recipe.
Why This Crispy Apple Cucumber Salad with Mint Yogurt Dressing Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy apples add a satisfying crunch
- Creamy mint yogurt dressing is tangy and refreshing
- Easy to make ahead for summer cookouts
- Better than takeout and packed with flavor
What You'll Need for Crispy Apple Cucumber Salad with Mint Yogurt Dressing
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Apples
- Cucumbers
- Red onion
- Fresh mint
- Greek yogurt
- Apple cider vinegar
- Honey
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Pecans
- Optional: Feta cheese
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Apples: Use a sweet-tart variety like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady for the best flavor.
- Cucumbers: English cucumbers have fewer seeds and are less watery than regular cucumbers.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline slicer — Ensures even, thin apple slices for perfect crispiness. → See on Amazon
- High-quality salad spinner — Removes excess water from cucumbers, preventing a soggy salad. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Apple Cucumber Salad with Mint Yogurt Dressing
- Prepare the apples: Thinly slice apples using a mandoline slicer. Toss in a bowl with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar and a pinch of salt. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, salt, and pepper.
- Prepare the cucumbers: Thinly slice cucumbers using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Place in a salad spinner and spin to remove excess water.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine apple slices, cucumber slices, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped fresh mint. Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Top with pecans and feta cheese if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Apple Cucumber Salad with Mint Yogurt Dressing
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-dress the salad. Start with less dressing and add more to taste. You can always add more, but you can't take it out.
- Pro tip: For extra crispy apples, pat them dry with a paper towel before slicing.
- Pro tip: Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The salad will soften slightly, but it's still delicious.
- Pro tip: For a vegan version, substitute the Greek yogurt with a dairy-free alternative or use a vegan mayo.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Apple Cucumber Salad with Mint Yogurt Dressing
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Freezing Crispy Apple Cucumber Salad with Mint Yogurt Dressing
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a mandoline slicer for even, thin apple slices that crisp up perfectly.
- Best substitution: Substitute the red onion with thinly sliced red bell pepper for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The salad will soften slightly, but it's still delicious.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your apples are browning, toss them with a bit of lemon juice instead of apple cider vinegar.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality salad bowls — Perfect for serving and storing this crispy apple cucumber salad. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Apple Cucumber Salad with Mint Yogurt Dressing
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Apples
- Cucumbers
- Red onion
- Fresh mint
- Greek yogurt
Seasonings
- Apple cider vinegar
- Honey
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Pecans
- Feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the apples: Thinly slice apples using a mandoline slicer. Toss in a bowl with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar and a pinch of salt. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, salt, and pepper.
- Prepare the cucumbers: Thinly slice cucumbers using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Place in a salad spinner and spin to remove excess water.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine apple slices, cucumber slices, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped fresh mint. Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Top with pecans and feta cheese if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a mandoline slicer for even, thin apple slices that crisp up perfectly.
- Best substitution: Substitute the red onion with thinly sliced red bell pepper for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The salad will soften slightly, but it's still delicious.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your apples are browning, toss them with a bit of lemon juice instead of apple cider vinegar.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 2g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 0g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Apple Cucumber Salad with Mint Yogurt Dressing FAQs
Yes, make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The salad will soften slightly, but it's still delicious.
Excess water from the cucumbers can make the salad soggy. Make sure to spin them dry in a salad spinner before adding to the salad.
Yes, this salad is perfect for summer cookouts. The crispy apples and refreshing dressing are perfect for hot weather.
Use a dairy-free alternative or vegan mayo for a vegan version of the dressing.
Not recommended for freezing. The texture of the apples and cucumbers will be ruined.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Apple Cucumber Salad with Mint Yogurt Dressing and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
