Refreshing Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Summer Joy

Cool summer days call for a refreshing cucumber salad that brings crisp textures and delightful flavors to your plate.

Chopped cucumbers create a light base for this creamy side dish.

Mediterranean influences shine through each spoonful of tangy goodness.

Dill and sour cream blend seamlessly to create an irresistible combination.

Crunchy vegetables provide a perfect contrast against smooth, silky dressing.

Minimal ingredients mean maximum satisfaction for hungry people seeking quick meal solutions.

We promise this recipe will become your new favorite summer staple.

Cucumber Salad That’s Creamy, Crisp, and Cooling

• Quick Prep Delight: Whips up in just 10 minutes with minimal chopping and simple ingredients, perfect for busy home cooks seeking a fast side dish.
• Cool and Refreshing Summer Staple: Chilled cucumber salad offers a crisp, tangy flavor profile that's incredibly satisfying on hot days, making it an ideal picnic or barbecue companion.
• Keto-Friendly Nutrition Boost: Packed with low-carb vegetables and creamy sour cream, this recipe supports healthy eating goals without sacrificing taste or texture.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Appeals to all ages with its mild, creamy dressing and can easily complement grilled meats, fish, or serve as a standalone light lunch option.

Creamy Cucumber Salad Ingredient List

• Cucumbers: Fresh, crisp vegetable that provides the base and crunch for the salad, best when firm and bright green.
• Red Onion, White Onion: Sharp, pungent addition that adds a zesty flavor and color contrast, can be used interchangeably.

• Sour Cream: Rich, tangy base that creates the creamy texture and adds a smooth, cool backdrop to the salad.
• Dill: Fresh herb that brings a bright, slightly tangy and aromatic flavor, classic pairing with cucumber.

• White Vinegar: Provides a sharp, tangy kick that balances the creamy sour cream and brightens the overall dish, helps to mellow the onion's intense flavor.

Creamy Cucumber Salad How-To

Step 1: Prepare Fresh Vegetables

Wash and dry the cucumbers thoroughly.

Using a sharp knife, slice cucumbers into delicate half-moon shapes.

Peel and thinly slice the red onion, creating translucent, whisper-thin rings that will add a delightful crunch to the salad.

Step 2: Mix Creamy Dressing

• Sour cream
• Fresh dill, chopped finely
• White vinegar

Whisk these components together until they form a smooth, tangy mixture that will coat the vegetables beautifully.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Pour the sliced cucumbers and onions into the creamy dressing.

Use a gentle folding motion to ensure every vegetable slice gets evenly coated with the luscious sauce.

Make sure no cucumber or onion piece is left behind.

Step 4: Chill and Marinate

Transfer the salad to the refrigerator and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.

This resting period allows the flavors to mingle and intensify, creating a more delectable taste experience.

The cool temperature will also make the salad refreshingly crisp.

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Remove the salad from the refrigerator.

Give it a quick stir and transfer to a serving dish.

The cucumber salad is now ready to be enjoyed as a side dish or light lunch.

Garnish with additional fresh dill if desired.

Salad Tips for Creamy Cucumber Crispness

• Use a sharp knife or mandoline to create uniformly thin cucumber and onion slices for a consistent texture and even flavor distribution.
• Pat cucumber slices with paper towels to remove extra water, preventing the salad from becoming watery and maintaining a creamy consistency.
• Swap sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version or use mayonnaise for a richer taste without changing the overall recipe structure.
• Experiment with fresh dill or substitute with chopped chives, parsley, or fresh mint to add unique aromatics and depth to the salad.
• Prepare the salad up to 24 hours in advance, storing in an airtight container to allow flavors to intensify and develop a more complex taste profile.

Chill Creamy Cucumber Salad

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Keep the salad chilled to maintain its fresh taste and crisp texture.
• Before storing, gently drain any accumulated liquid to prevent the salad from becoming watery and soggy.
• Gently mix the salad when removing from the refrigerator to redistribute the creamy dressing and revive its flavors.
• Do not freeze this cucumber salad, as it will significantly change the texture and cause the cucumbers to become mushy and lose their crispness.

Creamy Cucumber Salad Complements

• Pair with Grilled Proteins: Complement the cool, tangy cucumber salad with sizzling grilled chicken, pork chops, or salmon for a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.
• Match with Crisp White Wine: Select a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that echoes the salad's light, zesty profile and cuts through its creamy texture.
• Serve alongside Hearty Bread: Add crusty sourdough or rye bread to soak up the creamy dressing and provide a satisfying textural balance to the fresh, cool salad.
• Enhance with Fresh Herbs: Garnish with extra chopped dill or chives to amplify the salad's herbal notes and add a bright, aromatic finishing touch.

Creamy Cucumber Salad in Cool Style Versions

• Greek Yogurt Swap: Replace sour cream with tangy Greek yogurt for a protein-packed, lower-fat version that maintains creamy texture.
• Vegan Cucumber Delight: Substitute sour cream with cashew cream or coconut yogurt, using apple cider vinegar for added brightness and keeping the dish plant-based.
• Herb Garden Remix: Experiment with fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or tarragon instead of dill to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining the salad's fresh essence.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Alternative: Swap cucumbers with thinly sliced zucchini for a different low-carb vegetable option that holds similar crisp characteristics.

FAQs

• Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?

Yes, Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute that provides similar creaminess and tang while adding extra protein to the salad.

• How do I prevent the salad from becoming watery?

Salt the cucumber slices and let them sit for 10-15 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture before mixing with other ingredients.

• Is this salad low-carb friendly?

Absolutely! Cucumbers are very low in carbohydrates, making this salad perfect for keto and low-carb diets. The ingredients are all low-carb and diet-friendly.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this cucumber salad up to 24 hours in advance. Just keep it refrigerated and give it a quick stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.

Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crisp cucumber meets tangy dill in this refreshing Creamy Cucumber Salad, perfect for summer gatherings. Cool and zesty flavors blend seamlessly, delivering a chilled side dish you’ll crave at every picnic and barbecue.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 long English cucumbers
• 1/2 red onion, sliced (white onion works too)

Dairy:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream

Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) dill
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) white vinegar

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Instructions

1. Carefully slice cucumbers and red onions into delicate, translucent rounds using a sharp knife, ensuring uniform thickness for balanced texture.
2. Transfer the thinly sliced vegetables into a spacious mixing vessel, creating a crisp, vibrant foundation for the salad.
3. Introduce velvety sour cream, aromatic fresh dill, and tangy white vinegar to the vegetable mixture, stirring gently to distribute seasonings evenly.
4. Fold the ingredients with a soft, sweeping motion until each cucumber and onion slice glistens with a smooth, creamy coating.
5. Nestle the salad in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to harmonize and intensify for a minimum of half an hour, which will elevate the overall taste profile.
6. When ready to serve, give the salad a final gentle stir to reinvigorate the dressing and present a refreshingly cool, creamy side dish perfect for warm days or as a complementary accompaniment.

Notes

• Choose English cucumbers for a crisp, seedless texture that enhances the salad’s smoothness.
• Use full-fat sour cream to maintain the rich, creamy consistency while keeping the dish keto-friendly.
• Drain excess liquid from cucumbers by salting and resting them for 10 minutes to prevent watery results.
• Experiment with fresh or dried dill based on availability, adjusting quantities to personal taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 95
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 20mg