Ina Garten’s Go-To Trick for Making Perfect Cucumber Salad

We turn to Ina Garten for just about any cooking tip, because, well, she’s Ina and she always nails it. Her scrambled eggs are always perfectly fluffy for a reason. Over the years, she’s taught us how to elevate cornbread, make an herb-infused compound butter, and cook restaurant-quality asparagus. Now, she’s back with another vegetable trick that will make your summer salads even fresher and more flavorful—and it’s one that’s already featured in one of our top recipes.

Ina Garten’s Simple, Yet Brilliant Cucumber Trick

To make her creamy cucumber salad, Ina first salts and drains her cucumbers to create a dressing that’s fresh, vibrant, and never watery. She salts the cucumbers and red onions, then places them in a colander over a bowl to drain in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. This simple method helps the dressing cling to the cucumbers, giving it a creamy texture and rich flavor without the excess moisture.

Dinogo’s Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

Our own version of the Creamy Cucumber Salad uses a similar salting and draining technique. We salt the cucumbers and let them sit at room temperature for about 15 to 30 minutes before draining them in a colander. While Ina lets her cucumbers sit for a longer period, this shorter method works perfectly for us.

If you’re new to this method, our reviewers have shared some great tips for salting and draining cucumbers. Dinogo member Lillie Lawler suggests, 'After 30 minutes in the salt, I rinsed with cool water and drained for another 30 minutes, stirring every few minutes.'

Another reviewer, MHudson, emphasizes the importance of properly draining the cucumbers: 'You MUST drain them thoroughly, or you’ll end up with a watery mess. I love the idea of using a salad spinner (though I don’t have one), so I rely on time and patience or, if I’m in a rush, I’ll squeeze them by hand if they’re still too wet after 30 minutes.'

There you have it—this method is not only endorsed by the Barefoot Contessa herself, but also by the Dinogo community.