This Creamy Vegan Cucumber Slaw is the best summer salad you're going to make! With its vegan creamy dressing, this salad perfectly blends a bit of crunchy, fresh herbs. This creamy, oil-free salad comes together in under 15 minutes and serves up a whole lot of flavor. Whether you're planning a picnic, hosting a cookout, or seeking the perfect companion for a spicy curry, this slaw is versatile enough to complement any meal. Enjoy this plant-based recipe in minutes and share it with everyone you love!
The best summer vegetable slaw
If you're looking to make a creamy cucumber salad look no further than this recipe! It's filled with crunchy and bright veggies and herbs! It is the perfect combo of textures and flavors. This summery side salad is perfect for picnics, cookouts, or even as a side for a spicy curry. I also like this one on a sandwich or burger. It has bright pops of flavor plus the great texture of a cabbage style slaw. This one is incredibly creamy with the addition of vegan yogurt and it is also oil-free! This is such a great summer salad, you may be tempted to eat it as a meal! No judgement from me, as I could devour this entire recipe myself on a hot day.
What is a slaw?
A slaw is a cold salad that consists of chopped raw vegetables mixed with a creamy mayo and vinegar dressing. It may have Dutch origins and originally was made with cabbage and carrots aka Cole slaw. It is no secret that I love a good slaw. I have developed dozens of incarnations of my own slaw style salad recipes. Cabbage is one of my favorite salad ingredients because it does not break down like lettuces. It is super hardy and perfect for make ahead salads and meal prep. I grew up eating Cole slaw in New England where I am from. We ate it with fish and chips and barbecue and I always loved it. This creamy vegan cucumber slaw is a fresh and herby take on the old classic.
Ingredients for Creamy Vegan Cucumber Slaw
The ingredients for this summery gluten free slaw are best during the warmer months when fresh produce is abundant. Spring and Summer are the best seasons for crunchy radishes, hydrating cucumbers, and sweet bell peppers. I am obsessed with garden fresh cherry tomatoes and this recipe is a great place to enjoy them.
Cucumbers: Essential for the base of the slaw, providing a crisp and hydrating crunch. The freshness of english cucumbers can elevate the entire dish. For a twist, zucchini can be used as a substitute, maintaining the crunch with a slightly different flavor.
Red Onion & Purple Cabbage: These ingredients add a sharp and peppery bite, as well as a beautiful color contrast.
Yellow Bell Pepper & Radishes: They contribute to the slaw's crunch and visual appeal, with the bell pepper adding sweetness and the radishes offering a spicy kick. Orange bell peppers or jicama can be used as alternatives to adjust the sweetness or crunchiness.
Cherry Tomatoes: These tiny bursts of sweetness add a juicy texture and a vibrant color. If you don't have cherry tomatoes use whatever you have on hand.
Lemon & Plain Vegan Yogurt: The lemon juice and zest, combined with vegan yogurt, create a tangy and creamy dressing base. You could substitute dairy free plain yogurt with vegan mayo or sour cream.
Salt, Black Pepper, & Fresh Herbs (Cilantro, Dill): These seasonings and herbs are crucial for enhancing the overall taste and adding freshness. Other fresh herbs like parsley or tarragon can substitute for black pepper and fresh dill.
Maple Syrup: A dash of maple syrup balances the acidity and adds a subtle sweetness, rounding out the flavors. Agave syrup is a great alternative for a similar sweetness with a low glycemic index.
How to Make this Cucumber Salad
This slaw salad is really easy to make. It is a no-cook recipe that can be ready in about 10-15 minutes depending on your chopping skills. I love a good chop, and recipes like this are best in summer when the thought of turning on the oven to cook seems like torture.
- Grab a large bowl and toss in your vibrant mix of veggies such as the cabbage, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, radishes, and tomatoes, along with a burst of freshness from cilantro and dill. These ingredients form the crunchy, colorful base of your slaw, promising a feast for the eyes as much as the palate.
- Next, its time to take things to another level with the addition of the creamy tang of yogurt, the zesty kick of lemon, and the perfect seasoning blend of salt and pepper, all sweetened slightly with pure maple syrup. Give it a thorough toss to ensure every shred of vegetable is coated in the vegan oil free creamy dressing. Adjust the seasoning as you see fit.
- Now you're ready to serve as a side dish, pile it high on sandwiches or add to tacos for an extra crunch. This simple yet hearty salad can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, making it a perfect make-ahead dish for picnics, barbecues, or a quick, healthy snack.
Health Benefits of Cucumbers
Cucumbers, a staple in gardens and salads worldwide, are not only refreshing and hydrating but packed with nutritional benefits that can significantly impact your health. These crisp, cool veggies are made up of about 95% water, making them an excellent choice for hydration and skin health. The water content in cucumbers helps flush out toxins from the body; and are a good source of vitamins K and C.
Choosing Perfect Cucumbers
Always select the freshest produce for salads. Save the vegetables that are on their way out for soups or stir-fries. Nothing is worse than limp or witty salad ingredients. You want everything to have the fresh snap or crunch. That also means choosing a very fresh and crisp cucumber. I promise you will not enjoy this salad if your cucumber isn't crunchy!
Tips for making the best summer salads
- Get creative! Most recipes are easily tweaked to accommodate which ingredients are available or which are your preferences. You can omit things you don't like or add something that is abundant in your garden without changing the flavors or essence of a dish.
- To be a salad master you need the right tools. I cannot stress enough how much a sharp knife matters or that using a quality peeler or cutting board makes all the difference in the world to your cooking.
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Creamy Summer Cucumber Slaw
Ingredients
- 4 Persian cucumbers or 1 English cucumber sliced
- ½ red onion sliced
- 2 cups purple cabbage shredded
- 1 yellow bell pepper sliced thin
- 4 radishes sliced thin
- 10 cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 lemon juiced
- ½ cup plain vegan yogurt
- pinch salt
- 3-4 grounds black pepper
- 4 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
- 1 tsp pure maple syrup
Instructions
- In a large bowl add cabbage, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, radishes, tomatoes, cilantro and dill.
- Add yogurt, lemon, salt, pepper and pure maple syrup.
- Toss well until all is mixed and distributed throughout the slaw. Taste for salt and pepper and add more if desired.
- Eat as is or as a side or topper for sammies or tacos. It will last about 2-3 days when refrigerated properly.
Katie
Incredible as promised!
Sara Tercero
So pleased you liked it! I appreciate your feedback so much. Thank you
Trenya
This one was just really bland for me.
Sara Tercero
Sorry to hear that. Thanks for the feedback.