Creamy Cucumber Salad

Since I specialize in easy recipes that pack lots of flavor and texture, I am bringing you Creamy Cucumber Salad! A quick and easy side dish that tastes refreshing and crisp, perfect for summertime picnics or BBQ parties. With the crunchy slightly sweet and tangy cucumber slices and slightly tangy creamy dressing, this is the ultimate salad even for those who say they do not like salads.

Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

After I have shared with you my recipe for easy cucumber salad. I have received many requests to make a creamy cucumber salad, that goes hand in hand with delicious main entrees at summer barbecue parties.

Must I say, there is nothing better than a creamy and refreshing side dish when you bite into some tender ribs or a juicy grilled burger? And this salad my friends delivers all that. It’s creamy, BUT the best part is it’s not greasy, and it’s NOT loaded with mayo like coleslaw is. 

This salad will win you over with its crunchiness and how refreshing it is. I used English cucumbers because they are sweeter than other types and have thinner skin, which you don’t need to remove. Also, they have small seeds that you don’t have to remove and they are not bitter.

This is one of my favorite summer dishes because I can whip it up with ease in just a few minutes with just a handful of ingredients. The taste is incredibly flavorful with the tangy bite of onions, sweet creaminess of the sauce, and added seasonings for an extra boost of flavor.

Those who claim not to like salads have not tried this one. Although I don’t usually recommend leaving anything out of any of my recipes, there are always some people who do not like the taste of onions, so you could leave them out without ruining this tasty dish.

Besides the cucumber rounds, you just need a few ingredients including onions, garlic, sour cream, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a few herbs and spices. It cannot get much easier than that! You can pair this salad with barbecue pineapple chicken and grilled veggies for a full meal. It also goes great with pork chops, steaks, or meatloaf too.

Cucumbers health benefits

• They are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals and are low in calories. This makes them a perfect ingredient to pair with any type of fruit, or veggies, or to munch on as a snack.
• They are mostly water (at least 95%) which makes them hydrating; have high levels of free-radical-fighting antioxidants, and can regulate sugar levels.
• Much of the fiber is stored in the skin, and the nutrients are found just beneath it. And so, it is healthier if you do not peel them as the skin contains lots of good for you vitamins.

Is it okay to eat cucumbers every day?

Cucumbers are very healthy with a variety of vitamins and minerals like A, B, C, and K as well as calcium and fiber. Also, since they are 96% water, they are great for hydration and dieting. But, some cucumbers can give certain people stomach issues such as flatulence, bloating, and burping. They may also be an irritant to those with acid reflux.

What you’ll need to make creamy cucumber salad recipe

Items you need

• A sharp knife – To slice your veggies effortlessly.
• Mixing bowls – One for the dressing and one for the veggies.

Salad ingredients:

• English cucumbers – I prefer using English cucumbers for this salad because they have thin skin, hardly any seeds, and they are sweeter and firmer.
• Red onion – Similar to yellow onions, red onions are sweet with a kick of spiciness, and the vibrant purple color brings attention to this dish. 

Creamy dressing ingredients:

• Garlic cloves – Minced garlic cloves will give this salad a strong but mildly sweet garlicky flavor.
• Greek yogurt – This adds creaminess and some tang without adding too many calories, sugar, or fat.
• Sour cream – Similar to Greek yogurt, your salad gets creaminess from sour cream as well as some tanginess.
• Lemon juice – For a bright and citrusy flavor that will enhance the other flavors.
• Sea salt – Made from evaporated ocean water, sea salt has less processing so it is healthier and has a better, cleaner flavor.
• Black pepper – Grinding your pepper makes it taste much fresher. 

Herbs for garnish:

• Fresh dill – This aromatic herb tastes similar to parsley and celery with a tangy taste that is also a bit earthy.
• Green onions – Chopped green onions add a bit of a bite and some color.

How to make creamy cucumber salad?

Mix up the dressing

First, mix dill, garlic, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, sour cream, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl. 

Slice the veggies

• Next, wash and dry cucumbers before slicing them into rounds. Put them in a large mixing bowl.
• Now, slice the red onion into thin slices and chop the green onion into small pieces. Add them to the bowl with the cucumbers.

Mix

Last, scrape the dressing into the large bowl with the veggies and toss to coat everything well. Garnish with green onion and dill and serve immediately.

Expert tip

The right cucumber for this salad

Many people have no idea that there are over 100 types of cucumbers. The ones you will find most commonly in your grocery stores are the garden or slicing cucumbers. They are long, thick, and have smooth dark green skin. The skin is typically thick to prolong shelf life and they have big seeds so I always peel and deseed mine when I get this kind. They are good for pickling and can be used in almost any recipe.

For this salad, the English (or seedless) cucumber is perfect because it has little to no seeds, a thin skin that you do not have to peel, and they are slightly sweet and hardly ever bitter like the other cucumbers tend to be. Because of the mild flavor, this is the best kind of cucumber for this cucumber salad. It soaks up the rest of the flavors for an incredible taste.

The other common varieties include Kirby, which is short and bumpy with a bold flavor. They are often called pickling cucumbers because of their size and flavor. Persian cucumbers are similar to English ones but they come in different lengths and have bumpy skin. Lemon cucumbers are round and yellow with a mild, sweet, and cool flavor and crispy texture.

Cucumbers are highly perishable so it is essential to pick the freshest ones that were harvested at the right time. You will want to get cucumbers that are firm, dry, and have no yellow or black spots on them. English cucumbers are typically wrapped so make sure the wrapping is tight and there are no soft spots.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Dairy-free: Those who cannot eat dairy products can get dairy-free sour cream and yogurt.
• Vegan: Make this salad this cashew sour cream or vegan cream cheese and vegan plain yogurt.
• Add meat: If you want a heartier dish you can serve as a meal, add some kind of meat like chopped ham, chicken, or turkey.
• Some cheese: Cucumber salad would be amazing with some diced mozzarella, Pepper Jack cheese, or parmesan cheese.
• Spicy salad: Add red pepper flakes to your dressing for a spicier salad.
• Add veggies: You don’t have to stop at cucumbers and onions. Add some other veggies such as zucchini, squash, carrots, broccoli, or cauliflower. 

Serving suggestions:

Creamy cucumber salad is the perfect pre-meal dish for any dinner. Here are some fun serving ideas.

• Serve this salad with meatloaf and a side of crispy air-fried potatoes.
• This makes a delicious side dish for your other grilled and roasted dishes like Grilled Chicken, Garlic Lime Pork Tenderloin, and Honey Garlic Pork Chops.
• Since you will have plenty of dressing, add bread to your meal to soak it up. Try this easy recipe for Amish potato dinner rolls.
• If you make this creamy salad for a barbecue, add a refreshing watermelon lemonade on the side, and finish everything with this sweet strawberry cobbler.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make cucumber salad less watery?

The best way to do this is to salt them. First, peel and cut them lengthwise and remove the seeds. Then, toss them with a tablespoon of salt in a strainer or colander placed on a bowl and let them drain for at least 30 minutes but preferably longer. You could even start them the night before. Then, rinse the cucumbers and pat dry before adding them to the salad.   

Should I peel my cucumbers for salad?

If you are using English cucumbers, there is no need to peel your cucumbers. Keeping the peel on helps them stay crunchy. But if you are using any kind of other cucumber such as a garden variety, it is best to peel them because they are usually waxed and the skin is quite thick and sometimes bitter.

How do you make cucumbers taste better?

Cucumbers have cucurbitacins in their leaves and stems that can cause the skin and flesh to be bitter if not harvested at the right time. However, there are plenty of ways to make them taste better. Salting them is one good way to add flavor. Or add other herbs and spices like dill, cilantro, basil, and paprika. Those with a sweet tooth may even enjoy them with some sugar. Pairing them with a delicious dressing like in my creamy cucumber salad will also make them yummier.

How do you keep cucumbers from getting soggy in salad?

Salting your cucumbers as described above will draw out the moisture to keep your cucumbers from getting soggy. It absorbs the water and allows the flavor of the cucumber to shine through without having to worry about a soggy salad. It is also important to pat them dry after rinsing to get rid of excess water.

How to choose ripe cucumbers?

They are highly perishable, and they do not ripen after harvesting. Hence, it is crucial to choose the ones that were harvested at the right time. Select the ones that are dry, firm, and dark green with no yellow spots at all. These yellow spots indicate that they were harvested too late. Also, look for ones that do not have bruises or soft spots.

How to store:

• Refrigerate: Because cucumbers release water, this dish does not fare well if you try to save it longer than a few hours. If you plan to serve it at a later date, make the salad dressing and it will stay fresh in the fridge for a week in an airtight container. Then, just add the cucumber when you are ready to serve it.
• Freezing: Freezing is not recommended. 

More healthy salad recipes:

Recipe tips:

• If you are not going to use the fresh cucumbers right away, keep them wrapped in the plastic it is sold in.
• Also, do not wash your cucumbers before storing them. The moisture will cause them to get soggy sooner.
• All that being said, it is best to use cucumbers within three days of buying them.
• This salad is best served chilled, refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving.