Creamy Cucumber Salad
This Creamy Cucumber Salad is crisp, cool, creamy, and packed with fresh dill flavour. Thinly sliced cucumbers and red onion are tossed in a simple sour cream or Greek yoghurt dressing with lemon and fresh herbs. It comes together in minutes and makes an easy side dish for BBQs, picnics, sandwiches, grilled meats, or summer dinners.
⏱️ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: About 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American-inspired
Difficulty: Easy
🛒 Ingredients
2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
½ small red onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped, plus extra for garnish
½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yoghurt
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Cucumbers
Wash the cucumbers thoroughly and pat them dry. Thinly slice them using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer.
Place the cucumber slices in a large mixing bowl.
Tip: For an extra-crisp salad, refrigerate the cucumbers before slicing.
2️⃣ Slice the Red Onion
Thinly slice the red onion and add it to the bowl with the cucumbers.
The red onion adds a mild, slightly sweet flavour and a little extra crunch.
Optional: If you prefer a milder onion flavour, soak the sliced onion in cold water for 5–10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
3️⃣ Make the Creamy Dressing
In a small bowl, combine:
½ cup sour cream or Greek yoghurt
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Stir until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add a little extra lemon juice for more brightness or additional dill for a stronger herb flavour.
4️⃣ Combine the Salad
Pour the creamy dressing over the sliced cucumbers and red onion.
Using a large spoon or spatula, gently toss everything together until the cucumber slices and onions are evenly coated.
Avoid stirring too aggressively, as cucumber slices can break easily.
5️⃣ Chill and Serve
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 15–20 minutes before serving.
Give the salad a gentle stir, then garnish with additional fresh dill and a light sprinkle of black pepper.
Serve cold for the freshest, most refreshing flavour.
💡 Helpful Tips
Use English cucumbers: they have fewer seeds and tend to stay crisp, making them excellent for creamy cucumber salad.
Pat cucumbers dry: Excess moisture can thin the dressing.
Slice evenly: Thin, uniform slices allow the dressing to coat every piece.
Use fresh dill: fresh dill gives the salad a brighter flavour than dried dill.
Don’t overdress: Start with the recommended amount of dressing and add more only if needed.
Chill before serving: A short rest in the refrigerator allows the flavours to blend.
For extra flavour: Add a small amount of garlic powder or minced fresh garlic.
For more crunch: Add thinly sliced radishes or a little chopped celery.
🥗 Easy Variations
Greek Yoghurt Cucumber Salad
Use plain Greek yoghurt instead of sour cream for a tangy, creamy dressing with a lighter texture.
Garlic Dill Cucumber Salad
Add ½ teaspoon garlic powder or one small minced garlic clove to the dressing for a more savoury flavour.
Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad
Add halved cherry tomatoes for extra colour and a juicy, fresh element.
Extra-Herby Version
Add a combination of fresh dill, parsley, and a small amount of chopped green onion.
Tangy Cucumber Salad
Replace some of the lemon juice with apple cider vinegar for a sharper, tangier dressing.
🍽️ What to Serve With Creamy Cucumber Salad
This refreshing salad pairs especially well with grilled and roasted dishes.
Serve it alongside:
BBQ chicken
Grilled steak
Burgers
Grilled fish
Baked chicken
Pulled pork
Sandwiches
Wraps
Grilled vegetables
Picnic and potluck dishes
It’s also an easy addition to a summer BBQ spread because it can be prepared with just a handful of everyday ingredients.
🧊 Storage
Store leftover cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
For the best texture and freshness, enjoy it within 24 hours. Cucumbers naturally release water as they sit, so the dressing may become thinner over time.
If the salad becomes slightly watery, gently stir it before serving and drain off any excess liquid if necessary.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make creamy cucumber salad ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare it a few hours ahead and refrigerate it until serving. For the best crisp texture, it is recommended to enjoy it within about 24 hours.
Can I use Greek yoghurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely. Plain Greek yoghurt works very well and gives the dressing a creamy, tangy texture.
How do I keep cucumber salad from becoming watery?
Cucumbers naturally contain a lot of water. Pat the slices dry before adding the dressing, and avoid letting the finished salad sit for too long before serving.
For an even firmer texture, you can lightly salt the cucumber slices, let them sit for about 10 minutes, then drain and pat them dry before mixing.
Can I use dried dill?
Yes. Fresh dill gives the best flavour, but dried dill can be used when fresh isn’t available. Start with a smaller amount because dried herbs are more concentrated.
Can I make this without mayonnaise?
Yes. Simply replace the mayonnaise with an additional tablespoon of sour cream or Greek yoghurt. The dressing will still be creamy and flavourful.
Can I add garlic?
Definitely. Garlic powder or a small amount of freshly minced garlic works beautifully with the cucumber, dill, and creamy dressing.
🌿 Why You’ll Love This Salad
🥒 Crisp and refreshing
🌿 Fresh dill adds bright flavour.
🥣 Creamy homemade dressing
⏱️ Quick and easy to prepare
🍽️ Perfect BBQ and picnic side
🧊 Best served chilled
🥗 Easy to customise
🛒 Uses simple everyday ingredients
📌 Recipe Notes
For the crispiest cucumber salad: Choose firm cucumbers and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to prepare the salad.
For a lighter dressing: Use plain Greek yoghurt instead of sour cream and mayonnaise.
For a stronger flavour: add fresh garlic, extra dill, or a small splash of vinegar.
For the best presentation: Slice the cucumbers thinly and evenly, then finish with fresh dill and freshly cracked black pepper.
📊 Approximate Nutrition
Nutrition will vary depending on the type and brand of sour cream, Greek yoghurt, and mayonnaise used.
Estimated per serving:
Calories: ~100–130
Protein: ~3–5 g
Carbohydrates: ~6–8 g
Fat: ~7–10 g
Fibre: ~1–2 g
Sugar: ~3–4 g
Sodium: varies with seasoning and ingredients
📝 Recipe at a Glance
Creamy Cucumber Salad
🥒 2 large cucumbers
🧅 ½ small red onion
🌿 1 tbsp fresh dill
🥣 ½ cup sour cream or Greek yoghurt
🥄 1 tbsp mayonnaise
🍋 1 tsp lemon juice
🧂 Salt & black pepper
Prep: 15 minutes
Chill: 15–20 minutes
Serves: 4
This simple Creamy Cucumber Salad is a fresh, cool side dish that’s especially delicious alongside grilled meats, BBQ favourites, sandwiches, and summer meals.
