Creamy Cucumber Salad – Ready in 10 Minutes!

Since I specialize in easy recipes that pack lots of flavor and texture, I am bringing Creamy Cucumber Salad to your attention! 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.

After I have shared my recipe for easy cucumber salad. I have received many requests to make a creamy cucumber salad, which 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 crunch and refreshing flavor. I used English cucumbers because they are sweeter than other types and have thinner skin, so you don’t need to peel them. 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 in just 10 minutes with a handful of ingredients. The taste is incredibly flavorful, with the tangy bite of onions, the smooth creaminess of the Greek yogurt dressing, and added seasonings for an extra boost.

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

Why you will love this recipe:

• Foolproof: This recipe takes just 10 minutes to make with easy-to-find ingredients. I think cucumbers are so underrated, and you just need the right combination of flavors and textures to turn them into a stellar dish.
• Ideal for barbecues: There is nothing better than a crisp, chilled, refreshing cucumber salad to pair with a variety of grilled mains on a hot summer day.
• Keeping it simple: This fuss-free recipe is a great addition to a variety of dishes. On summer days, we like to keep it simple and pair this salad with air-fried chicken, pork, or fish, so I don’t even have to turn on the oven.

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 help regulate blood sugar levels.
• Much of the fiber is stored in the skin, and the nutrients are found just beneath it. And so, it is healthier not to peel them, as the skin contains lots of good-for-you vitamins.

What you will need

• English cucumbers – I prefer English cucumbers for this salad because they have thin skin, few seeds, and are sweeter and firmer. Red onions are sweet with a kick of spice, and their vibrant purple color draws attention to this dish. 
• Dressing – This salad is all about the creamy and tangy dressing made with Greek yogurt, sour cream, garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Gerbs – A mix of fresh dill and green onions for a slightly earthy note and pop of color.

How to prepare

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

Prep the veggies: I wash and dry the cucumbers, slice them into rounds, and place them in a large mixing bowl. Next, I slice the red onion thinly and chop the green onion into small pieces, and add them to the bowl with the cucumbers.

Mix: I combine the dressing 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

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 is slightly sweet and hardly ever bitter, unlike other cucumbers. Because of the mild flavor, this is the best kind of cucumber for this cucumber salad. It soaks up the remaining flavors for an incredible taste. The other common varieties include Kirby, which is short and bumpy with a bold 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.

More tips to consider

• This salad is best served chilled; refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving.
• 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.

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 with cashew sour cream, vegan cream cheese, and plain vegan yogurt.
• Add meat: If you want a heartier dish you can serve as a meal, add some meat, like chopped ham, chicken, or turkey.
• Some cheese: Cucumber salad would be amazing with diced mozzarella, Pepper Jack, or parmesan.
• 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 or a refreshing side. I usually make it all summer long and can’t get enough of it. Make some crispy air-fried potatoes and serve them with grilled chicken, garlic-lime pork tenderloin, or honey-garlic pork chops.

Since you will have plenty of velvety creamy dressing, add bread to soak it up. Try this easy recipe for Amish potato dinner rolls, which is ideal. 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 or this nostalgic orange creamsicle freezer pie.

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 later, 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.
• Freezing: Freezing is not recommended. 

Frequently asked questions

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