If you’re on the hunt for a refreshing, luscious side that feels like a cool breeze on a sunny day, look no further than this delightful Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe. This salad perfectly balances crisp, fresh cucumbers with a tangy, herb-infused creamy dressing that’s bursting with flavor. Whether you’re serving it at a family BBQ, a picnic, or simply craving something light and satisfying, this dish shines with its ease and vibrant taste. It’s the kind of recipe you just want to share with everyone you know because it’s that good and that simple to make.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this salad lies in its straightforward ingredients, each carefully chosen to layer texture and brightness into the dish. Fresh cucumbers bring that irresistible crunch, while the sour cream and olive oil add creamy richness and a silky mouthfeel. The dill and lemon juice tie everything together with aromatic freshness and subtle tang.
- ½ cup sour cream: Adds velvety creaminess that’s essential for the salad’s signature texture.
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped: Imparts a fragrant, grassy note that’s a perfect match with cucumbers.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Brings a smooth richness and helps meld the flavors.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Lifts the salad with a refreshing, zesty brightness.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: Gives a gentle savory depth without overpowering the freshness.
- ½ teaspoon sea salt: Enhances all the flavors and seasons the salad just right.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Adds a mild, warm spice to round out the taste.
- 24 ounces cucumbers, sliced (about 6 cups or 12 mini cucumbers): The star ingredient, crisp and cooling for perfect salad crunch.
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup): Offers a slight sharpness and a pop of color that contrasts beautifully.
How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
Step 1: Make the Creamy Dressing
The first step is where the magic starts: combining sour cream, fresh dill, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic powder creates a luscious dressing that’s bright and herbaceous. Whisking everything together allows the flavors to blend seamlessly, resulting in a silky coat for your cucumbers. Don’t forget to season with sea salt and black pepper to bring all the tastes to life.
Step 2: Toss Cucumbers and Onion
Once your dressing is ready, add the thinly sliced cucumbers and red onions directly into the bowl. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure each slice is evenly coated in that creamy dressing. The cucumbers’ crisp texture and the onion’s slight bite paired with the cool dressing make for an irresistible bite every time.
Step 3: Chill or Serve
You can enjoy this salad immediately if you’re hungry right away, but giving it at least a little chill in the fridge helps all the flavors marry and makes the salad even more refreshing. Either way, it’s going to be absolutely delicious!
How to Serve Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate this Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe, sprinkle a few fresh dill sprigs or a light dusting of cracked black pepper on top before serving. If you want a bit more color and crunch, toasted sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts add texture without overpowering the delicate flavors.
Side Dishes
This salad is a perfect companion to grilled chicken, fish, or even roasted vegetables. Its light and creamy nature balances out heartier mains, making it great for summer cookouts or casual family dinners. It’s also fantastic alongside sandwiches and wraps to brighten the whole meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests or simply make the salad more exciting? Serve it in individual glass jars layered with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or add thin ribbons of cucumber on top for a pretty garnish. You can even try scooping it onto crisp lettuce leaves for a fun handheld bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This creamy cucumber salad keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Because cucumbers release some moisture when sitting, be sure to give it a gentle toss before serving to redistribute the dressing and refresh the texture.
Freezing
Freezing this salad is not recommended. Cucumbers contain a lot of water, so freezing will cause them to become mushy and watery once thawed, losing that prized crunch and fresh texture.
Reheating
Reheating is unnecessary and not advised for this salad because it’s best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. Heating would break down the creamy dressing and wilt the fresh cucumbers, changing the lovely contrast that makes this dish so special.
FAQs
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely! Greek yogurt works wonderfully as a substitute, giving the salad a slightly tangier flavor and a bit more protein while keeping that creamy element intact.
What kind of cucumbers are best for this salad?
Pick firm, fresh cucumbers with thin skins—English or Persian cucumbers are ideal because they have fewer seeds and a tender texture that’s perfect for salads.
Can I prepare this salad in advance for a party?
Yes! Prepare it a few hours ahead and chill it in the fridge. Just remember to give it a good toss before serving to refresh the dressing coating.
Is this salad suitable for a vegan diet?
Not as written, since it contains sour cream. However, you can easily swap in a vegan sour cream alternative to make it completely plant-based without compromising flavor.
How can I add extra crunch to the salad?
Try adding toasted nuts like almonds or walnuts, or sprinkle some crispy bacon bits if you’re not vegetarian. They add a wonderful texture contrast that complements the creamy dressing.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe is truly one of those simple dishes that feel special every time you make it. With just a handful of fresh ingredients and a few easy steps, you’ll have a refreshing, crowd-pleasing salad that’s perfect for any occasion. I can’t wait for you to give it a try and experience the perfect harmony of creamy, crunchy, and bright flavors for yourself.
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Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This creamy cucumber salad is a refreshing and easy-to-make side dish featuring thinly sliced cucumbers and red onion tossed in a tangy sour cream and dill dressing. Perfect for warm weather or as a light accompaniment to any meal, it combines cool, crisp vegetables with a flavorful, herb-infused dressing that can be served immediately or chilled for enhanced flavor.
Ingredients
Dressing
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Salad
- 24 ounces cucumbers, sliced (about 6 cups or 12 mini cucumbers)
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Make Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, chopped fresh dill, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic powder until well combined. Season the dressing with sea salt and black pepper to taste, stirring to incorporate all the flavors.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the thinly sliced cucumbers and red onions into the bowl with the prepared dressing. Gently toss everything together until the cucumber and onion slices are evenly coated with the creamy dill dressing.
- Serve: Enjoy the salad immediately for a crisp and fresh taste, or cover and chill it in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld for a more intense and refreshing experience.
Notes
- For best results, slice cucumbers thinly and uniformly to ensure every bite is well coated with dressing.
- This salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but it is freshest when served the same day.
- If you prefer a lighter dressing, substitute half of the sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- Fresh dill is key for authentic flavor, but dried dill can be used in a pinch, adjusting the amount to taste.
- Feel free to add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives for extra freshness and color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
