Creamy Cucumber Salad is a refreshing summertime staple at any picnic, barbecue or potluck. Crisp cucumbers and fresh summery dill all tossed in a simple sour cream dressing.
This easy recipe is made in a snap with ingredients that are probably already in the kitchen. It takes just minutes to make and is the perfect side dish next to grilled chicken or barbecue ribs. Especially with a side of grilled corn on the cob!
What’s in Cucumber Salad?
Cucumber Salad is a delicious summery blend of cucumbers, dill, and dressing! With a dressing made of sour cream, mayo, and vinegar, you’ve got the basics down! It’s just seasonings and a dash of sugar from there!
CUCUMBERS:
I prefer long English cucumbers for this recipe as they are thin skinned and don’t require peeling (although you can peel them if you prefer).
If using regular field cucumbers, the skins can be tough so I’d suggest peeling them or at least peeling some strips. The seeds on field cucumbers are larger so I often cut them in half and scrape the seeds out to keep the salad from getting watery.
ONIONS: White onions are optional but add great flavor to this cucumber salad. Pick onions with the white papery skin (not the yellow skin) as they’re a little bit milder. Thinly slice the onion and soak it in cold water while preparing the salad to take off a little bit of bite from the onion.
For a heartier version, stir in some shredded cabbage. Scoop it into a wrap for a quick and refreshing vegetarian lunch!
How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad
This creamy cucumber salad starts with fresh crisp cucumbers.
- Peel the cucumbers if desired and seed if using field cucumbers.
- Slice into ¼ inch pieces.
- Mix together the remaining ingredients and gently stir in the sliced cucumbers.
Refrigerate one hour before serving. Garnish with chopped dill.
TIP: While it’s optional, scraping out the seeds of the cucumbers will keep the salad from getting watery. If using smaller cucumbers, it’s not necessary to scrape them.
Dressing: Creamy or Vinaigrette
I’ve always made a creamy dressing for this cucumber salad with sour cream, a dab of mayonnaise and a hint of vinegar for some tang.
To make it healthier, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream (I often to this on my baked potatoes or to top chicken fajitas)!
If you prefer a Cucumber Salad with a Vinegar Style Dressing, you can simply replace the dressing in this recipe with:
- 1/3 cup white vinegar or cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or light olive oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill
- salt & pepper
How Long Will it Last in the Fridge?
Creamy Cucumber Salad will last several days as long as it is kept cold and covered. It’s best when it’s fresh but it’s easily refreshed. Try adding a few more crunchy cucumbers or even some chopped white onions!
To Make Ahead
This recipe can be made 4 or 5 hours in advance for the best flavor, this way the cucumbers stay crispy! If you’d like to make it further ahead, slice the cucumbers and onions if using and toss with the dressing just before serving.
More Cucumber Favorites
- Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad – juicy tomatoes & crisp cucumbers
- Cucumber Bruschetta – delicious over crisp garlic bread!
- Chickpea Salad – made with a simple dressing
- Citrus Shrimp & Avocado Salad – delicious creamy citrus flavors!
- Cucumber Avocado Salad – fresh, rich ingredients!
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2 long English cucumbers
- Optional: ⅓ cup sliced white onion
Dressing
- ½ cup sour cream or plain greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ¼ cup fresh dill chopped
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon white sugar
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Peel the cucumbers and cut in half lengthwise. Scrape out the seeds if desired and slice into ¼″ slices.
- Combine all dressing ingredients and toss with cucumbers.
- Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
Video
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad
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this was my first time ever making cucumber salad… and what I did was:
1/2 cup mayo
2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
few dashes of Italian salad dressing (I didn’t measure just kind of eye balled it lol)
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
few teaspoons of dill relish
mixed it all together and cut up 2 cucumbers and tomatoes and done… my family loved it it came out very good… thank you for sharing your recipe :)
I have made this so often, I never measure….I add chives instead of onion. I use about a tablespoon of ranch dressing mixed with the sour cream and about a tablespoon of apple side’s vinegar. My mom made cucumber salad often. Sometimes I add cherry tomatoes and some chopped green and/or red pepper. Chill and eat!
You mention lemon juice as one of the ingredients but it isn’t listed in the actual recipe.
There is no lemon juice in this recipe Sandee, updated.
This recipe has the right sour cream to mayonnaise ratio. I have an old, old recipe that calls for way too much mayo (and I love mayo!) and it isn’t a refreshing dish. This is just right!
Thank you Sarah! So glad you loved the salad!
i love your receipes
i love it!!!
AMAZING!!! I am under 10 and my family ate the whole dish in just 5 minutes!!! Such easy instructions! Thank you Holly!
I loved this recipe! It was so flavorful for so few ingredients. I will definitely make this one again.
Super
The cucumbers with yogurt delicious.
So glad you enjoyed it!
My family did not care for this, creamy is correct, way too creamy with out much flavor. I had to throw this out. Will not try again.
So sorry to hear that Jill, we have made this recipe many times with great success.
Not that great. Just kind of messy and not a whole lot of flavor. Marinate a cucumber in white balsamic, dill weed, olive oil, half of a lime’s juice and red onion. It’s the difference between Tuesday afternoon and a Friday Night.
We love the flavors in this recipe Riley! But that does sound delicious as well. Thanks for sharing.
Cucumber salad reminds me of the one my late mother would make
I hope you enjoy the recipe Brian.
Love cucumber salads
Me too Lucy! I could eat it everyday in the summer when cucumbers are fresh from the garden!
I thought the vinegar was way overpowering. I added more sour cream and mayo to tone down the vinegar but didn’t use all the dressing. Next time I would do only one tablespoon of vinegar.
You can actually just make it really easily with only cucumbers and sour cream. Maybe a little salt and pepper. We’ve been doing it in our family for years
Yum!
That’s how my grandmother always made it. This dresses up the classic a little. Yummy either way!
Sounds delicious, can’t wait to try it.
Enjoy, Keith!
Where do you find fresh dill, never used it
You can find this in the refrigerated herb section at most grocery stores. Ask someone in the produce section for help :) Enjoy!
This is a Turkish cucumber salad.
Love the simplicity of this. Made it as written but also like how I can adapt it and substitute herbs I have on hand and it is still refreshing. I like how the dressing has very little sugar. I usually make with salmon as an accompaniment. Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Yum! I am such a cucumber salad fan. Thanks for the shout-out for my Green Bean Summer Salad too!
You’re welcome, I can’t wait to try your salad!!
So good i loved it