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Cucumber Pickle Salad with Roasted Red Pepper and Oregano, refrigerator pickle cucumber salad dinner side dish
Brittany Stage

Cucumber Pickle Salad with Roasted Red Pepper and Oregano

Sliced cucumbers and strips of roasted red pepper are quick-pickled in an apple cider vinegar brine with dried oregano and garlic for a smoky, tangy refrigerator side dish. It preps in minutes and keeps for four days.
Prep Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 12 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 60

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large English cucumbers sliced into thin rounds
  • 1 tsp kosher salt for salting cucumbers
  • 1 cup jarred roasted red peppers drained and patted very dry, sliced into strips
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for heat

Equipment

  • cutting board
  • sharp knife
  • large mixing bowl or quart jar
  • small bowl for brine
  • whisk

Method
 

  1. Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds, roughly 1/8 inch thick, and place them in a colander. Toss with the kosher salt and let them sit for 10 minutes over the sink or a bowl. The salt pulls out surface moisture so your brine stays sharp and does not get diluted. Rinse them briefly and pat dry.
  2. Drain the roasted red peppers from the jar and lay them out on a few layers of paper towels. Press down gently and blot the top as well. Getting them as dry as possible is the key step here because jarred peppers carry a lot of liquid that will thin out your brine if you skip this. Slice them into strips roughly the size of your cucumber rounds.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, dried oregano, garlic powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Whisk until the sugar fully dissolves, about 30 seconds. No heating required for this brine.
  4. Combine the dried cucumber slices and roasted red pepper strips in a large bowl or a quart-size jar. Pour the brine over everything and stir or shake gently so all the vegetables are coated. Make sure the cucumbers and peppers are mostly submerged.
  5. Cover the bowl or seal the jar and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. For the best flavor, let it sit for a full day. Stir or shake gently before serving. Taste the brine and add a small pinch of salt or a tiny drizzle of olive oil over the top if you like just before plating.

Notes

Keeps refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 4 days. Stir before serving as the brine settles. Serve alongside roasted chicken, grilled sausage, or layer into sandwiches. A drizzle of good olive oil over the top right before serving adds a nice richness.