This creamy cucumber salad recipe is cool and refreshing, perfect for summertime! A dressing made with garlic, bright lemon, and lots of fresh dill makes it a crowd-pleaser.
Cold salads are on the menu often when the weather starts to warm up. I make things like Strawberry Quinoa Salad with Feta, BLT Pasta Salad, and this cucumber salad ALL THE TIME in the summer, whether it’s for a picnic, potluck, holiday party, or as an easy side to have with grilled chicken or burgers. While I love Asian Cucumber Salad, this creamy cucumber salad recipe is a little bit richer thanks to a tangy sour cream dressing.
Why This Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe Is a Must-Make
This creamy cucumber salad combines simple, fresh ingredients to create an easy side you’ll enjoy all summer long!
- Crisp and creamy. It's all about the textures! This salad pairs crisp cucumbers and red onion with a rich, creamy dressing.
- Big, fresh flavor. On their own, cucumbers have a mild flavor, so we jazz them up by adding fresh lemon juice, dill, and garlic.
- Versatile. This salad can be served as a side dish or a topping for sandwiches and wraps. Try it with these Lentil Patties!
What You’ll Need
Here’s a list of all the ingredients you’ll need to make this refreshing salad. Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- English cucumber – If you want to use cucumbers from your garden, you can add those instead of an English cucumber, but you’ll need to scoop out the seeds first.
- Red onion – Or substitute shallots for a milder taste.
- Sour cream – Swap in Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- Plain hummus – Or mayo, for a more traditional dressing.
- Lemon juice – Skip the bottled and go for freshly squeezed.
- Garlic clove
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh dill – Fresh is a must! Dried just doesn’t have the same flavor.
How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad
Making this recipe is a cinch! Here’s what you’ll need to do.
- Prep the veggies. Thinly slice the cucumber and onion and place them in a large bowl.
- Make the dressing. Whisk the remaining ingredients in a small bowl.
- Dress the salad. Pour the dressing over the veggies and stir to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 8 hours.
Tips for Success
Follow these simple tips to ensure your creamy cucumber salad turns out perfect!
- Use a mandoline slicer. A mandoline slicer will help you achieve uniform slices of cucumber and onion. It’s also faster than using a knife!
- Season to taste. Once you toss all the ingredients together, taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Cucumbers do benefit from a bit of salt since they have such a mild flavor on their own.
- Let it marinate. For best results, let your creamy cucumber salad marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes for an even tastier salad.
Variations
Here are some ways to put a different spin on this creamy cucumber salad recipe.
- Make it vegan. Swap out the sour cream for a vegan alternative and use the hummus rather than mayo.
- Mix up the herbs. Don't limit yourself to just dill! Parsley or mint would both be great, or use a combination of herbs.
- Use vinegar instead of lemon. Apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or white wine vinegar will also brighten up the dressing to make it pop, without the citrus flavor of lemon.
Serving Suggestions
This cucumber salad is an awesome make-ahead side for grilled dishes like chicken and salmon. I also like adding it to meal bowls, like these Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Hummus.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover creamy cucumber salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the cucumbers may release water over time, so give the salad a quick stir before serving again to mix any dressing that may have settled and if necessary, drain off the excess liquid.
More Simple Side Salads
Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 English cucumber
- ¼ medium red onion
- ⅓ cup sour cream (or greek yogurt)
- 2 tablespoons plain hummus (or mayo)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 small garlic cloves pressed
- Generous pinch of salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill
Instructions
- Finely slice the cucumber and onion and transfer them to a mixing bowl. I like to do this with a mandolin slicer so it's quick and has even thickness.
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Pour the dressing over the cucumber and onion and stir to combine.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge up to 8 hours before serving.
Nutrition
