If you’re craving a refreshingly cool side that sings with tangy creaminess and crisp crunch, this Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe is about to become your new go-to favorite. It’s the perfect marriage of cool cucumbers, zesty sour cream, and fragrant dill, all coming together in a dish that’s both simple to make and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or want to brighten up a weeknight dinner, this salad delivers vibrant flavors and a luscious texture that’s truly irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe lies in its straightforward and fresh ingredients. Each one plays a vital role: the crunchy cucumbers provide the main star texture, the tangy sour cream gives luscious creaminess, and the dill adds a fragrant herbal note that brings everything to life.
- English cucumbers: Their thin skin and minimal seeds make them perfect for a tender, crisp bite.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced for a mild sharpness and a splash of color.
- Sour cream (or Greek yogurt): Adds richness and a creamy texture, with Greek yogurt as a lighter alternative.
- White vinegar: Brings a bright acidity that balances the creaminess.
- Fresh dill: Chopped finely to infuse a delightful, fresh herbal aroma.
- Granulated sugar: Just a touch to soften the vinegary tang and round out flavors.
- Salt: Essential for drawing out cucumber moisture and seasoning the salad perfectly.
- Black pepper: A subtle hint of warmth to finish the dressing.
How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Slice the Cucumbers
Start by washing your cucumbers thoroughly. If you like a bit of color contrast and texture, peel in stripes, leaving some skin on. Then slice them as thin as about 1/8 inch—using a mandoline is super helpful here to achieve uniform crisp slices that soak up the dressing beautifully.
Step 2: Salt and Drain the Cucumbers
Place the sliced cucumbers in a colander set over a bowl and sprinkle with half a teaspoon of salt. This crucial step draws out excess moisture, helping avoid a watery salad and concentrating the cucumber’s fresh flavor. Let them sit for 30 minutes while you get other parts ready.
Step 3: Soften the Red Onions
To mellow their sharp bite, soak the thinly sliced red onions in ice water for about 10 minutes. This not only softens their flavor but gives them a nice crisp snap, then drain and gently pat dry before adding to the salad.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Dressing
Whisk together the sour cream, white vinegar, chopped dill, sugar, remaining salt, and pepper in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. This dressing is the heart of the salad, perfectly balancing tang, sweetness, and herbal freshness.
Step 5: Combine and Chill
After the cucumbers have rested, pat them dry with paper towels to remove extra liquid. Toss the cucumbers and onions gently into the dressing until everything is coated evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour—this chilling time allows all the flavors to meld into pure deliciousness.
Step 6: Final Touches
Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and taste to adjust the seasoning if needed. Transfer it to a serving bowl and sprinkle extra fresh dill on top for a vibrant and aromatic finish.
How to Serve Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a little extra dill or even finely chopped chives elevates the look and flavor of your creamy cucumber salad. A sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper or some toasted sunflower seeds can add delightful pops of texture and a touch of sophistication.
Side Dishes
This salad shines beautifully alongside grilled chicken, barbecue ribs, or even a simple fish dish. Its cool, creamy crunch provides a perfect counterpoint to smoky, spicy, or savory mains, making every bite well-rounded and refreshing.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your creamy cucumber salad in individual mason jars for a picnic or party, or layer it in a glass bowl with thin layers of smoked salmon or avocado for a stunning appetizer. You can also scoop it into pita pockets with grilled meat for a quick and tasty lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your creamy cucumber salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Because cucumbers release water over time, the salad might become a bit more liquidy, so give it a good stir and drain any excess before serving again.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this salad as cucumbers have high water content and tend to become mushy when thawed. The fresh, crisp texture is a big part of what makes this recipe so appealing.
Reheating
No reheating needed here! This salad is best served chilled, allowing the flavors to remain fresh and the cucumbers crisp.
FAQs
Can I use regular cucumbers instead of English cucumbers?
Yes, you can use regular cucumbers but be aware they tend to have thicker skins and more seeds, which might result in a slightly less tender salad. Peeling them completely might help improve texture.
Is it possible to make this salad vegan?
Absolutely! Simply swap the sour cream for a plant-based yogurt or vegan sour cream alternative to keep that creamy element while maintaining the delicious tangy flavor.
How long can I prepare this salad in advance?
It’s best prepared at least one hour before serving for optimal flavor melding, and it can safely be made a few hours ahead and stored refrigerated until ready to enjoy.
Can I adjust the flavor to be less tangy?
Certainly. Reduce the vinegar slightly or add a bit more sugar to soften the tang. Tasting as you mix is the key to finding your perfect balance.
What other herbs can I use instead of dill?
Fresh parsley or chives make great substitutes if you’re out of dill, offering a different but lovely herbal brightness to the salad.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—a wonderfully easy and satisfying Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. Once you try this delightful combo of crisp cucumbers, creamy dressing, and fresh herbs, you’ll wonder how you ever went without it. So grab those cucumbers and get ready to impress your taste buds and guests alike!
Print
Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Creamy Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and easy-to-make side dish, blending thinly sliced cucumbers and red onions in a tangy, dill-infused sour cream dressing. Perfectly chilled and lightly sweetened, this salad is an ideal accompaniment to warm-weather meals or any time you want a light, crisp salad with a creamy texture.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 large English cucumbers (about 2 pounds)
- 1/2 medium red onion (thinly sliced)
Dressing
- 1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped, plus extra for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Optionally peel them, leaving some strips of skin for added color and texture.
- Slice Cucumbers: Thinly slice the cucumbers about 1/8 inch thick using a sharp knife or mandoline for even slices.
- Salt Cucumbers: Place the sliced cucumbers in a colander set over a bowl. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and let them sit for 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- Soak Onions: While cucumbers are resting, soak the sliced red onions in ice water for 10 minutes to reduce sharpness and mellow flavor. Drain and pat dry.
- Make Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, white vinegar, chopped fresh dill, granulated sugar, remaining salt, and black pepper until smooth and combined.
- Dry Cucumbers: After 30 minutes, gently pat the cucumber slices dry with paper towels to remove excess water.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cucumbers and drained red onion slices to the dressing bowl. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the creamy dressing.
- Chill Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld and the salad chill fully.
- Season Adjustment: Before serving, stir the salad gently and taste to adjust seasoning if necessary by adding more salt or pepper to preference.
- Serve: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and garnish with extra fresh dill for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- For a lighter and tangier version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- Using a mandoline helps achieve consistent thin slices for better texture and flavor absorption.
- Soaking onions in ice water mellows their sharpness and creates a sweeter flavor profile.
- Salting cucumbers and letting them sit removes excess water, preventing the salad from becoming watery.
- This salad is best served chilled and can be prepared a few hours ahead of time for convenience.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for freshness.
