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
- ⅓ cup white onion sliced, optional
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 cut into ¼″ slices.
- Combine all dressing ingredients and toss with cucumbers (and onions if using).
- Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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Just to add a handful of chopped fresh mint leaves are a great addition to any cucumber salad you’ll like it
I love this idea Charles!
So yummy! Had to use onion powder, dry dill and a vinaigrette cause that’s what I had, but my husband and I loved this. I have usually made a family recipe – cucs, tomato, mayo, salt and pepper. Your recipe is a new favorite! Thank you :)
Yumm! Great way to use up late summer cukes. Can add corn too(fresh and raw) if there is an abundance.
so tasty yummy I will make this again …
Has anyone tried this recipe with lemon flavored Greek yogurt? I figure it can’t be bad, right?
The lemon flavored would probably be a bit sweet for the dressing.
Might be better with plain yogurt and lemon juice -then it won’t be further sweetened. I almost did that this time
I made this two nights ago and it was absolutely incredible! So refreshing, it will definitely be going into regular summer rotation! My cukes were a bit larger so I did cut them in half and scrape out the seeds. I also did include the sliced onion as instructed. What a wonderful summer side dish!
Delicious
Too much vinegar! I had to add more sour cream and sugar to balance it out and I still didn’t love it. Next time I’ll try lemon juice and maybe 1 tbsp max
Delicious! Have had others but uours is the best!
**Incomplete – This recipe is called Creamy Cucumber Salad but there is no sour cream or mayo in the recipe despite the blog beforehand speaking of it.
The dressing in this recipe calls for both sour cream and mayonnaise. The vinaigrette dressing you see in the middle of the post is another option for those that don’t want to follow the creamy dressing in the recipe.
what is a good substitute for dill if you don’t have any in the fridge?
Hi Jenna, the dill adds a delicious summery flavor to this recipe. If you aren’t able to use fresh dill we would recommend swapping it for 4 tsp of dried dill. Hope that helps!
Made this delicious cucumber salad dressing this morning. I’m fortunate to have a hubby who shops for me at the grocery store when I need a few things. My list read 4 zucchini and I received 4 cucumbers so I peeled, seeded and chopped them up for a delicious and refreshing cucumber salad. I used the greek yogurt option and fresh dill; although I did leave off the onions. Thanks for a great recipe. : )
This was suburb! I made this as a side to Tikka Marsala and rice and it was just what my dish needed. I used 4 tsp of dried dill in place of the fresh. It seemed like a lot but it was perfect!
I just want to say I love your recipes :-) Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you! So happy you are enjoying them, Lana.
Just want to say I love your recipes. Thanks for posting them.
Thank you for joining us Barb! We love creating recipes for you to enjoy ♥️
I love this recipe!! Very refreshing on a hot summer day!! When I search for a recipe you’re my go to girl!!! Thanks so much!!
I made both the creamy and the vinaigrette version. The creamy was tasty but the vinaigrette was delicious, out of this world. I kept going back for just a few more slices of it. Until I just gave in and finished off the bowl. Thank you so very much for the recipe.
I sliced the cucumber very thin with my mandolin. The dressing is absolutely delicious.
Made this right before work because it was super simple and had it at lunch. Absolutely delightful and the dressing is really good as a dip for chips