Total 15 minutes
Jump To RecipeThis post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Creamy cucumber salad is a crazy popular, super easy side dish for cookouts and picnics. Tastes like Grandma's old fashioned cucumber salad with fresh cucumbers tossed in an irresistible dill and sour cream dressing.
Why you'll love this recipe
- The ingredients are widely available all year.
- Great way to use fresh summer cucumbers.
- This recipe is easy to make in only 15 minutes.
- This classic old fashioned recipe tastes like Grandma made it.
- Approved for many restricted diets.
- Cucumbers have significant nutritional value and antioxidants.
- It's the perfect side to accompany entrees like baked chicken thighs, baked chicken legs, grilled salmon, broiled salmon, and slow cooker pulled pork.
Creamy cucumber salad ingredients
- cucumbers - Very thinly sliced cucumbers make up the bulk of this salad.
- sea salt - salt not only flavors cucumber salad, but is used as a treatment to remove some of their moisture to prevent the dressing becoming watery.
- sour cream - Sour cream is a classic ingredient in this salad, but plain Greek yogurt can work too. The flavor with yogurt is a bit more tart, but equally delicious.
- garlic - A finely minced garlic clove adds warm, bold flavor to the salad.
- fresh dill - Dill sprigs are a must for old fashioned cucumber salad, however dried dill weed will work in a pinch.
- black pepper - Adds a mild bite to the salad.
- white vinegar - This adds zingy flavor and helps create the perfect sour cream dressing consistency.
- red onion - Thinly sliced onion is a spicy, crunchy addition. I love the color of the red onions against the green cucumbers too!
How to make this recipe
Step 1. You'll want to remove moisture from the cucumbers to prevent the sour cream dressing from becoming watery. To do this, layer cucumber slices on paper towels, sprinkle a little salt over them, and rest 15 minutes. Use another paper towel to dab the salted cucumbers dry to remove excess moisture.
Step 2. Make the sour cream dressing by combining sour cream, garlic, dill, black pepper, and vinegar in a bowl.
Step 3. Combine dressing mixture with cucumbers and onions. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance of serving.
Serve chilled and devour!
Recipe tips and variations
- cucumber type - English cucumbers or European cucumbers are widely available and require the least prep because they're seedless with soft, edible skin. Any cucumber variety can be used, but may require seeding and peeling away waxy skin.
- slicing cucumbers - The thickness of cucumber slices is a key factor to make the texture of this salad amazing. So, I recommend slicing about ⅛ to ¼-inch thick.
- make ahead tips - Slice cucumbers and make the dressing up to a few days ahead. Store each component separately in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- substitutions - Replace the sour cream with Greek yogurt for a healthy swap with different milk fat options.
More cucumber recipes
📖 Recipe
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
This creamy cucumber salad tastes like Grandma made it with fresh cucumbers tossed in an irresistible dill and sour cream dressing.
Yield 4 cups
Print
Pin
Ingredients
- 1 pound Cucumbers sliced (about 4 cups)
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ½ cup Sour Cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Dill or 1 tsp dried dill
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon White Vinegar
- ½ small Red Onion thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
Equipment
- chef's knife or mandoline slicer
- paper towels
Instructions
- Place CUCUMBER slices on paper towels in a single layer. Lightly sprinkle SEA SALT over the surface. Repeat as needed with remaining cucumbers.
- Rest cucumbers about 15 minutes to release moisture. Use a towel to pat them and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Meanwhile, make the dressing by whisking together SOUR CREAM, GARLIC, DILL, BLACK PEPPER, and WHITE VINEGAR in a mixing bowl.
- To the cucumbers, add dressing mixture and RED ONIONS. Toss until well-combined.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Final step
Click stars to vote. Please visit 'Comments' below for reviews.
Recipe Notes
- cucumber type - English cucumbers are widely available and require the least prep because they're seedless with soft, edible skin. Any cucumber variety can be used, but may require seeding and peeling away waxy skin.
- slicing cucumbers - The thickness of cucumber slices is a key factor to make the texture of this salad amazing. So, I recommend slicing about ⅛ to ¼-inch thick.
- make ahead tips - Slice cucumbers and make the dressing up to a few days ahead. Store each component separately in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- substitutions - Replace the sour cream with Greek yogurt for a healthy swap with different milk fat options.
Did you make this recipe? I'd love to see it!Follow @thekitchengirl on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag #thekitchengirl. This always makes my day!
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 303mg | Potassium: 216mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 270IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg
Easy FREE recipes to your inbox weeklyJoin The Kitchen Girl community!
Tara says
Incredibly light and refreshing salad! Took it with me for a spring picnic and we ate all of it!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yayy! So glad you enjoyed and thanks for letting me know 🙂 Cheers!
veenaazmanov says
This looks definitely healthy and refreshing. Perfect for the Summers too. Combination of Dill sounds unique to this salad. A must try.
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay! Glad you can enjoy it 🙂 Thanks!
Angela says
I love this salad! I grew up eating it and it's so perfect for the summer. Super refreshing and yummy!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay! Such a great memory 🙂
Anita says
This cucumber salad is so delicious and refreshing. It's perfect for hot summer days.
The Kitchen Girl says
Yesss! Yay cucumber season 🙂
Kris says
This was so refreshing and delicious. Can't wait to make again!
Lois says
Sounds like my Mom’s recipe but I don’t know why it doesn’t list how many servings.
The Kitchen Girl says
Hiya, the servings are listed in the recipe card. It yields 4 cups and the nutrition information is calculated as .5 cup (1/2 cup) servings. Enjoy!
Jeffrey says
This is SO good and (as always) easy as ever. It really does remind me of the old fashioned cucumber salad my family made back in the day. Great recipe KG!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay! Glad you love it as much as I do 🙂
Beth says
My hubby is going to love this salad to go with his lunch today! Excited to try this recipe! Looks so delicious and refreshing!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay Beth! So glad you can enjoy this one ... thanks 🙂
Alison says
This is such a great salad to make this weekend for Memorial Day! Easy and flavorful!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yes! Couldn't agree more ... glad you love it like we do 🙂
Anjali says
We love this cucumber salad and make it all the time - it's the perfect side dish for just about anything! Great for summer picnics too!
The Kitchen Girl says
Very cool! So glad you enjoy this one 🙂 Thanks so much!
Sara Welch says
Love a light cucumber salad and this recipe was no exception! Such a cool and refreshing recipe with the perfect amount of crunch! Delish!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay! Glad you're enjoying it 🙂 Thanks for the feedback!
Cathleen says
I have so much cucumber in the fridge, so I am so glad I found this recipe!! Making this as soon as I get home, thank you so much for the recipe!!
The Kitchen Girl says
You're so welcome! Cucumber salad really is the perfect thing to make with extra cucumber 🙂 Enjoy!