Description

Dad’s Creamy Cucumber Salad is a refreshing, crisp side dish featuring thinly sliced cucumbers and sweet onions tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, vinegar, and aromatic spices. Perfectly chilled, this salad offers a cool and flavorful complement to any meal.

Ingredients

Vegetables

2 large cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced
1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon sea salt

Dressing

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise, or more to taste
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

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Instructions

Salt the Vegetables: In a large bowl, mix together the thinly sliced cucumbers and sweet onion with sea salt. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture from the vegetables, which helps keep the salad crisp.
Drain the Vegetables: Transfer the cucumber and onion mixture to a colander placed over the sink or a bowl. Let it drain for about 30 minutes, stirring gently occasionally to release as much liquid as possible. After draining, move the vegetables back into a large bowl, discarding the liquid.
Prepare the Creamy Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, white sugar, dried dill weed, garlic powder, and ground black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
Combine and Toss: Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the drained cucumber and onion mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure all the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
Chill Before Serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to become refreshingly cool before serving.

Notes

For best results, peel cucumbers to prevent bitterness and ensure smooth texture.
If you prefer a tangier salad, adjust the vinegar quantity to taste.
This salad can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but is best enjoyed fresh.
Adding fresh dill instead of dried can enhance the herbal notes if desired.
The resting time during salting and draining is crucial for a crisp final salad, so don’t skip or shorten these steps.