Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad (5 minutes)
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This creamy cucumber salad with tangy Greek yogurt and fresh dill is the perfect crisp, refreshing side for hot summer days-bright, lively, and ready in minutes!
If you love quick creamy dips and sauces, try this yogurt dill sauce or this quick tzatziki sauce too!
What I Love About This Recipe
- Fresh and cooling - perfect for hot summer days.
- Simple ingredients - cucumbers, onion, and a tangy dressing.
- Make-ahead friendly - tastes even better chilled as flavors meld.
- Versatile - pairs with everything from burgers to grilled salmon.
Key Ingredients
- Cucumbers - crisp and refreshing, they're the star of this salad. English cucumbers are ideal for their thin skins and mild flavor, but regular cucumbers work too.
- Red Onion - adds sharpness and color contrast. Slice thinly so it blends without overpowering.
- Greek Yogurt (or Sour Cream) - creates the creamy base of the dressing; Greek yogurt adds tang and lightness, while sour cream brings a richer flavor.
- Honey (or Sugar) - a touch of sweetness balances the tangy dressing.
- White Wine Vinegar - brightens the flavors and gives the dressing a gentle zing.
- Dill - the herb that makes this salad sing; fresh dill is especially flavorful, though dried works in a pinch.
Together, these simple ingredients create a salad that's creamy, cool, and full of fresh summer flavor.
How to Make Cucumber Salad
This recipe is so easy to make in minutes. Full instructions are in the recipe card below, but here is a quick overview:
- Slice cucumbers and red onion.
- Whisk dressing ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Toss cucumbers with the dressing, season to taste, and serve.
Tips for Success
- Slice thinly: A mandoline gives even, paper-thin slices for the best texture.
- Serve immediately: This cucumber salad is best when served immediately. Stored, the cucumbers can begin to weep.
- Fresh dill = flavor: If available, fresh dill makes the dressing shine.
Serving Ideas
- A refreshing side for grilled chicken, salmon, or steak.
- Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or barbecues.
- Serve alongside Mediterranean platters with pita, hummus, and olives.
Recipe FAQs
Not necessarily. English cucumbers have thin skin that's tender, but regular cucumbers may benefit from partial peeling (stripes).
Sour cream is a great substitute, giving a slightly richer flavor. Alternatively, you can also use mayonnaise.
Lightly salt the cucumbers and let them sit for 10-15 minutes, then pat dry before dressing. This removes excess moisture.
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Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers halved and sliced thinly
- 1/4 red onion sliced thinly
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream or mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoons honey or granulated sugar (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Half the cucumbers and slice them thin; add to a medium-sized bowl. Slice the red onion thinly and add to the cucumbers.
Creamy Dressing
- Whisk together the Greek yogurt (or sour cream), vinegar, dill, honey (sugar), and garlic powder until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use; it keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To make the salad, gently mix together the dressing, cucumbers, and red onion. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This salad is best served immediately, as the cucumbers will begin to weep and can make the salad soggy.
Notes
- Cucumbers: English cucumbers are ideal since they have thin skins and fewer seeds, but regular cucumbers also work. If using standard cucumbers, you may want to peel some or all of the skin and scoop out the seeds.
- Greek Yogurt vs. Sour Cream: Both work beautifully. Greek yogurt gives a tangy, lighter flavor, while sour cream adds extra richness.
- Sweetener: Use honey for a natural option, or substitute sugar if you prefer. Adjust to taste.
- Fresh vs. Dried Dill: Fresh dill provides the brightest flavor, but dried dill can be substituted.
- Less Watery Salad: Lightly salt cucumbers and let them sit 10-15 minutes, then pat dry before dressing to reduce excess liquid.
- Serving Ideas: Delicious with grilled chicken, salmon, burgers, or as a cool side at picnics and barbecues.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Too sweet and the white wine vinegar isn’t the right acid choice for me. Only need about half the red onion than called for. And I salted the cucumbers and let them drain on a paper towel first.
Don’t you just love cucumbers when the weather turns warm? This creamy salad, featuring fresh, crisp cucumbers and a Mediterranean-inspired creamy dressing, is a favorite of our family. The fresh dill makes the salad!