Creamy Cucumber Salad
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Posted: 06/22/21
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Refreshing, classic Creamy Cucumber Salad is a summertime favorite at any picnic, party or potluck! A mixture of cool cucumbers and red onions in a creamy dill sauce. This is a must make for summer!
I am all about the summer salads! There are usually so many potlucks, BBQs, and get-togethers with friends and family that I am always trying new recipes to keep everyone on their toes!
This creamy cucumber salad is actually one that has been made in our family for years and I’m so excited to share it with you. It’s an old-fashioned cucumber salad with the best creamy dressing that’s perfect with all the summer main dishes.
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The Best Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
- I love cucumbers during the summer – they’re crisp, fresh, and perfect in this salad. They’re paired with red onion and that dreamy dill dressing for a delicious side dish.
- You only need seven simple ingredients to make it and there’s very little prep work. It only takes about 15 minutes to make!
- This is a cucumber salad without mayonnaise – not everyone is a fan and I’ve found that sour cream works great. It gives the dressing a tangy flavor that’s so good.
Are you ready to make a great salad? You’ll want to fire up the grill and pair this salad with my best grilled chicken, baked beans, and some lemonade to sip on for a great summer dinner.
Ingredients
- English cucumbers – I like this type for this salad because they have fewer seeds and aren’t as bitter as regular cucumbers.
- Red onion – Make sure it’s thinly sliced.
- Sour cream
- White vinegar
- White sugar
- Minced dill – Fresh dill is best!
- Salt and pepper
Products Needed
How to Make It
I like to peel the cucumbers, but this is optional. As long as the cucumber doesn’t have a thick peel, it’s okay to leave it on. Your choice!
Whether you peel it or not, you’ll want to slice it into thin pieces.
The dressing is very easy – combine the sour cream, vinegar, sugar, dill, and salt and pepper in a large bowl.
Add the sliced cucumber and onion and gently stir to coat everything evenly in the dressing.
Chill the salad for one hour before serving so it’s nice and cold.
Recipe Tips and FAQ
How do you keep cucumber salad from getting watery?
Cucumber has a lot of water which can leak out and turn your salad watery. To avoid this it’s best to serve it within an hour of making it. The longer the salad sits it will get more watery.
If it’s going to be sitting out or in the refrigerator for more than an hour you can drain the cucumber first. Place the slices in a colander and sprinkle them with salt. Leave them for 30 minutes or so – the salt will draw out the water and it will drain off. Rinse the slices and pat them dry and then make the salad.
Do you peel cucumbers for salad?
It depends. If it has thin skin you don’t have to peel them. If the skin is thicker it will add a bitter flavor to your salad so I would peel it.
How long will it keep in the refrigerator?
It will keep for several days, but the dressing may get thinned from the water from the cucumbers. If you plan to keep it in the refrigerator I would salt and drain the cucumber first as I mentioned before. The salad will keep better that way.
How far in advance can you make it?
The best way to make it ahead is to wait to add the cucumber. You can make the dressing up to days in advance. On the day you want to serve it, slice the cucumber, onion, and toss them with the salad. It won’t take any time at all!
Cool, creamy, and crunchy! This salad has all the best things going on – the best side dish for all of your summer events! I hope you give a try and love it as much as we do.
More BBQ Side Dishes!
- For another cold salad try my Watermelon Salad! It’s a little sweet and savory – the perfect summer dish!
- Pesto Pasta Salad is always a hit when I make it. It pairs perfectly with all of your favorite grilled main dishes.
- Everyone loves Broccoli Salad! Crunchy with a delicious dressing, you’ll want to make it all summer long.
Have you tried this recipe and love it? Rate it, please!!!? Seriously, though, a five-star rating below will make my day!
If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your delicious dish!!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Classic summer recipe with fresh cucumbers in a creamy sour cream dill sauce that's perfect for parties.
Ingredients
- 2 english cucumbers can peel if desired
- ½ medium red onion thinly sliced
Dressing
- ½ c. sour cream
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill minced
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel the cucumbers, if desired and slice into thin slices.
- Combine dressing ingredients in a large bowl. Add cucumbers and toss to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.
Tips
How do you keep cucumber salad from getting watery?
Cucumber has a lot of water which can leak out and turn your salad watery. To avoid this it’s best to serve it within an hour of making it. The longer the salad sits it will get more watery. If it’s going to be sitting out or in the refrigerator for more than an hour you can drain the cucumber first. Place the slices in a colander and sprinkle them with salt. Leave them for 30 minutes or so – the salt will draw out the water and it will drain off. Rinse the slices and pat them dry and then make the salad. Do you peel cucumbers for salad?
It depends. If it has thin skin you don’t have to peel them. If the skin is thicker it will add a bitter flavor to your salad so I would peel it. How long will it keep in the refrigerator?
It will keep for several days, but the dressing may get thinned from the water from the cucumbers. If you plan to keep it in the refrigerator I would salt and drain the cucumber first as I mentioned before. The salad will keep better that way. How far in advance can you make it?
The best way to make it ahead is to wait to add the cucumber. You can make the dressing up to days in advance. On the day you want to serve it, slice the cucumber, onion, and toss them with the salad. It won’t take any time at all!
Cucumber has a lot of water which can leak out and turn your salad watery. To avoid this it’s best to serve it within an hour of making it. The longer the salad sits it will get more watery. If it’s going to be sitting out or in the refrigerator for more than an hour you can drain the cucumber first. Place the slices in a colander and sprinkle them with salt. Leave them for 30 minutes or so – the salt will draw out the water and it will drain off. Rinse the slices and pat them dry and then make the salad. Do you peel cucumbers for salad?
It depends. If it has thin skin you don’t have to peel them. If the skin is thicker it will add a bitter flavor to your salad so I would peel it. How long will it keep in the refrigerator?
It will keep for several days, but the dressing may get thinned from the water from the cucumbers. If you plan to keep it in the refrigerator I would salt and drain the cucumber first as I mentioned before. The salad will keep better that way. How far in advance can you make it?
The best way to make it ahead is to wait to add the cucumber. You can make the dressing up to days in advance. On the day you want to serve it, slice the cucumber, onion, and toss them with the salad. It won’t take any time at all!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 90kcal (5%), Carbohydrates: 9g (3%), Protein: 2g (4%), Fat: 6g (9%), Saturated Fat: 3g (19%), Cholesterol: 15mg (5%), Sodium: 27mg (1%), Potassium: 283mg (8%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 5g (6%), Vitamin A: 350IU (7%), Vitamin C: 6mg (7%), Calcium: 60mg (6%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Malinda says
LOVE this salad!! And it’s a great way to use up all the cucumbers from my garden!
Alison LaFortune says
The sour cream dill sauce is so yummy. Love this side dish for BBQ’s!
Randy William says
Try it u will like!!
Danielle says
I can’t wait to try this with fresh cucumbers! It looks amazing!
Carrie Simmons says
Looks delicious, can’t wait to try this! Is the vinegar white wine vinegar, or white distilled vinegar?
Julie Evink says
White distilled is what we used!