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Creamy Cucumber Salad – just like Grandma made! This recipe is made with fresh cucumbers, red onions, fresh dill, and a handful of other ingredients for a side dish that everyone will love. The perfect salad for picnics, potlucks, or summer grilling!
What is it about summer that makes me want to eat all the salads? Not just because they’re light and summery and the perfect addition to any meal… but because summer produce is my absolute favorite. And to me, there’s nothing more summery than fresh cucumbers!
I love sprinkling them with salt and pepper, eating them in salads, and adding them to sandwiches for an extra bit of crunch. And I especially love them in this Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad!
There’s something nostalgic about it – it’s a recipe that’s been around forever and a dish that most of us have probably enjoyed at family get togethers at one point or another.
It’s simple, yet it’s packed with so much flavor. Between the crunchy cucumbers, the creamy dressing, and the fresh dill, this salad truly is no-fuss in every way. Plus, it’s the perfect side dish for so many meals, from Steak Bites to Pan Fried Chicken to our favorite Blackened Salmon recipe.
what you’ll need for this recipe
Cucumbers – I used regular slicing cucumbers, but you can feel free to use English, Persian, or any variety you enjoy. It’s also the perfect way to use up all your fresh garden cucumbers.
Onion – Onion adds delicious flavor and extra crunch to this salad. I used red onion for its milder flavor and the beautiful color it adds to this salad.
Sour cream – Sour cream is the main ingredient in the creamy sauce. I used regular full fat sour cream but you can feel free to use a lower fat variety or substitute plain Greek yogurt.
Vinegar – Vinegar gives this salad a bit of acidity. I used regular white vinegar, but you could also substitute golden balsamic or white wine vinegar.
Fresh dill – Fresh dill weed pairs well with cucumbers and gives this salad the most deliciously fresh flavor. I added 2 Tablespoons minced fresh dill.
Sugar – 1 teaspoon granulated sugar adds a delicious hint of sweetness to the cucumbers. Omit the sugar if you prefer.
Salt & garlic powder – 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder give this salad just the right amount of extra flavor.
What Kind of Cucumbers for Cucumber Salad?
Feel free to use whatever kind of cucumbers you’d like in this recipe. Many people prefer English cucumbers in salads, since they tend to be sweeter and have fewer seeds than regular cucumbers. You can also use Persian cucumbers, which are smaller and tend to be sweeter and crunchier.
how to make Creamy Cucumber Salad
Slice the cucumbers and onion. Cut the onion into thin slices using a sharp knife or mandoline. Wash the cucumbers, then cut them into thin slices also and pat them dry with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture.
Make the sauce. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, white vinegar, minced fresh dill, granulated sugar, salt, and garlic powder. Stir until combined.
Add the cucumbers and onions. Add the sliced cucumbers and red onion and toss gently to coat.
Garnish & enjoy! Garnish with additional fresh dill and fresh black pepper as desired. Serve immediately or cover and chill before serving. Store leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
make-ahead & storage tips
This salad tastes best when it’s made at least 1 hour in advance and refrigerated to let the flavors combine. If you’d like to make it even further in advance, just slice and store the vegetables separately, then toss with the dressing just before serving. This salad will last up to 3 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Recipe Variations
- Use any type of cucumber you have on hand
- Peel the cucumbers instead of keeping the peel on
- Substitute white or green onion OR chives
- Add chopped fresh tomatoes or avocado
- Add baked salmon for protein
- Substitute another fresh herb in place of the dill (e.g. fresh mint, parsley or basil)
- Add 1-2 Tablespoons of mayonnaise to the dressing
- Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- Substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream
More Cucumber Recipes You’ll Love
If you have an abundance of garden cucumbers… I’ve got you covered! These are some of our favorite cucumber recipes we know you’ll love!
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups thinly sliced cucumbers
- 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons minced fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Cut the onion into thin slices using a sharp knife or mandoline. Wash the cucumbers, then cut them into thin slices also and pat them dry with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, white vinegar, minced fresh dill, granulated sugar, salt, and garlic powder. Stir until combined.
- Add the sliced cucumbers and red onion and toss gently to coat.
- Garnish with additional fresh dill and fresh black pepper as desired. Serve immediately or cover and chill before serving. Store leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Dianne says
I’m thinking of making this but without the sugar & onions & use fat free miracle whip.
kim says
Then don’t use the sugar and quit harping on everyone else.
Marianne says
Salting the cucumbers allows them to sweat their liquid which can make the salad watery. Place cucs in a colander, sprinkle with salt and let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water and dry on a clean kitchen towel. Proceed with recipe.
Lauri says
I put one packet of Equal in mine. Perfect, no problem… no sugar!
Joe says
Great recipe. Made this twice now and I think I have it. I like it better than others I’ve tried because it stayed creamy and not all watery.
Cathy Trochelman says
Happy to hear it!
Ti Phillips says
Delicious and refreshing!
Holly B. says
I make this delicious cucumber salad nearly exactly is written. My only deviation is to use half plain Greek yogurt, and half sour cream. It is divine each and every time!
My husband was born in Germany. And I never did care for onions and cucumber together. When we married, he had me making his mother’s version, which is just vinegar and a little water and a little sugar. I’m not even sure it had dill in it, maybe just salt & pepper. So that recipe certainly didn’t do it for me!
This year in North Louisiana,USA our cucumbers have been prolific whereas not much else has produced due to the heat. I first tried this recipe a few months ago. And my husband enjoyed it so much, it’s the only one we use now! Thank you so much for a wonderful summer side dish we both now crave!
Celine says
Omg I cannot say HOW OBSESSED I AM WITH THIS RECIPE. I’ve actually made just the dressing for putting on salmon. First of all, the cucumber salad is AMAZING. When I made it I told my sister she needed to please come get some of it because of how much I had and how good it was, well I ended up finishing it that day. It’s so refreshing and light. I’ve come back to this recipe so many times I’ve lost count. This is the first time I’ve ever commented on a recipe, I just had to say something.
Cathy Trochelman says
So glad you enjoy it! Thanks for letting me know!