This Creamy Cucumber Salad, with crisp cucumbers and red onion, is totally nostalgic! It’s refreshing and crunchy, topped with the best creamy dressing.
Try my other favorite summer side dishes, like Macaroni Salad or Cucumber Feta Salad.
Table of Contents
- My Mom’s Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
- Ingredients
- How To Make Creamy Cucumber Salad
- What Cucumbers Are Best For Salad?
- How To Keep Cucumbers From Getting Soggy
- To Peel Or Not To Peel Cucumbers
- Creamy Cucumber Salad Variation
- What To Serve With Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad Storage
- How To Make Ahead Of Time?
- Use Leftover Cucumbers In…
- Creamy Cucumber Salad With Sour Cream Recipe
My Mom’s Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
Remember my mom’s “famous” Pasta Salad? This Creamy Cucumber Salad was another one of her go-to recipes, loaded with garden-fresh cucumbers and more!
Even though I don’t have a garden like hers, I can’t let a week go by in the summer without making this salad.
The sour cream dressing is the real star in this recipe. Instead of just mixing mayo with sour cream, I pack it with flavor using fresh herbs, lemon, and the “secret” ingredient — vinegar! Yes, really, it adds just the right amount of tang.
Ingredients
Let’s talk dressing ingredients — it’s all about getting that flavor just right!
- Sour Cream: Pick quality sour cream—light or regular works.
- Mayo: Choose full-fat. I love Best Foods or Hellman’s® here.
- White Wine Vinegar: If you’re out, just use red wine vinegar or extra lemon juice.
- Lemons: Fresh tastes best. Grate the yellow skin; the white part underneath the yellow skin is bitter.
- Fresh Dill: Fresh herbs bring life to this salad! If you don’t love dill, try parsley.
- White Sugar: A little bit cuts the acidity, but honey works well too.
- Garlic Powder: For a stronger flavor, use fresh minced garlic.
Quick Tip
For the Creamy Cucumber Salad dressing, I like grating the lemons with a small grater and then squeezing out the juice with a citrus squeezer.
How To Make Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Mix Dressing: Whisk the dressing ingredients and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Chill for better flavor.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh cucumbers and dill give the best flavor.
- Prep Veggies: Cut off cucumber ends (they’re bitter). Use a slicer for thin, even slices (I love mine for Au Gratin Potatoes!).
- Soak Red Onion: Slice the onion thin and soak in cold water for 10 mins to tone down the flavor, or use shallots.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate for 15-20 mins for the best flavor.
What Cucumbers Are Best For Salad?
For the perfect Creamy Cucumber Salad, use mini, English, or Persian cucumbers because:
- Fewer Seeds: Making your salad less watery and more flavorful.
- Thinner Skin: Adding a nice crunch without the need for peeling.
- Even Texture: You’ll get a consistent crunch with every bite.
- Mild Flavor: They’re not too strong or bitter, so they add flavor to the salad without becoming too over powering.
Quick Tip
Find cucumbers that are bright green, firm, and smooth, and smell good. Pick straight ones that are about the same size for even slices.
How To Keep Cucumbers From Getting Soggy
Keep cucumbers crisp with these quick tips:
- Keep Cold: Store cucumbers in the fridge to keep ’em crisp.
- Prepare Last: Cut cucumbers as close to serving time as possible.
- Dress Later: Add dressing right before serving to keep it crunchy.
- Pat Dry: Press cucumber slices between paper towels to soak up extra moisture.
- Don’t Pack Too Tight: When storing cucumber slices, give them some space in the container for air to flow and keep them dry.
To Peel Or Not To Peel Cucumbers
No, you don’t have to peel the cucumbers; their skin gives the salad extra crunch and flavor. Just remember, if they’re not pre-washed, wash and dry them well before using.
However, if you’re not a fan of the skin’s taste, peeling them is perfectly fine.
Variations
Creamy Cucumber Salad Variation
- Greek: Add feta, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, and swap dill for oregano, like Tzatziki Sauce.
- Add Spice: Stir in a chopped jalapeño or red pepper flakes, like in Cucumber Pepper Salad.
- Swap Herbs: Use any fresh herbs—parsley, cilantro, chives, or basil.
- Asian-Style: Try this Asian Cucumber Salad.
- Add Avocado: Add avocado and use balsamic dressing, like in this Cucumber Salad.
What To Serve With Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Grilled Meats: Perfect with my grilled chicken marinade or my steak marinade.
- Seafood: Goes great with grilled shrimp or scallops.
- Sandwiches: Makes sandwiches crispy and creamy. (These Cucumber Sandwiches are my go when hosting!)
- Rice Dishes: Gives a tasty crunch to rice and chicken bowls.
- Pasta Dishes: Great with pasta salad or alongside a big slice of lasagna.
Storage
Creamy Cucumber Salad Storage
Best When Fresh: It’s tastiest on the day it’s made. It can last in the fridge for a day or two but will start to lose its crunch.
How To Make Ahead Of Time?
- Make the creamy cucumber salad dressing and slice cucumbers and onions ahead of time.
- Store everything separately in the fridge to keep fresh.
- Combine everything with dressing 15-20 mins before serving.
Use Leftover Cucumbers In…
- Cucumber Sandwich only 5 ingredients!
- Pesto Pasta Salad super simple
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad a favorite for any get together
- Coconut Shrimp Salad a fast and delicious salad
- Greek Turkey Meatballs perfect for meal prep
Creamy Cucumber Salad With Sour Cream
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Zest and juice lemon to get 1/4 tsp lemon zest and 1 tbsp lemon juice. In a medium bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients (including lemon zest and juice). Season to taste; I add 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper. Whisk well until completely smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use so the flavors can meld.
- Wash and thoroughly dry cucumbers. Cut off thin bitter ends and slice very thinly. (A mandolin slicer is great here!) Add to a large bowl with thinly sliced red onion.
- Remove the dressing from the fridge and use a silicone spatula to scrape every bit over the cucumbers and onion. Gently mix with the spatula until veggies are well coated. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Refrigerate for 15–20 minutes for flavors to intensify; then toss again, season some more if needed, and enjoy.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I use dried dill weed instead?
I haven’t tested it with dried dill weed, but I imagine it would work. Add it slowly, and make sure to adjust the amount to your preference, as dried dill is more potent than fresh dill.
Wow! Found this recipe from instagram and it’s worth all the hype! It’s so delicious and the perfect way to use up garden cucumbers!
What is a copy cat for white wine vinegar
Red wine vinegar would work here! 🙂
Looks awesome can’t wait to make it
I’m excited to hear what you think!
Looks awesome
Thank you!
absolutely loved it
So happy to hear this! Thanks Melissa! 🙂
Love this salad. Perfect for a hot summer night along burgers, steak or hot dogs. And this reminds me of our mom who made a very similar cucumber salad.
So thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Donna! 🙂