Luscious Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Summer Bliss

Cool summer days call for a refreshing cucumber salad that brings zesty tangy cucumber salad recipe to life with crisp vegetables and creamy dressing.

Fresh cucumbers shine in this simple yet delightful dish.

Garden-fresh ingredients blend perfectly to create a light and satisfying side.

Dill and sour cream add richness that complements the cucumber natural coolness.

Each bite promises a delightful crunch and smooth texture that dances on your palate.

Minimal effort yields maximum flavor in this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a classic summer favorite that everyone will love.

How to Toss Creamy Cucumber Salad Quickly

• Dressing Blend

Create a smooth, tangy sauce by mixing sour cream with bright lemon juice, a touch of sweetness, fragrant dill, and a pinch of salt. Set this creamy mixture aside while preparing the vegetables.

• Cucumber Preparation

Carefully slice crisp cucumbers into delicate rounds, creating thin, elegant pieces. Thinly cut red onions to add a sharp, colorful contrast to the salad.

• Salad Assembly

Gently combine the sliced cucumbers and onions with the prepared dressing, ensuring every piece gets coated in the luscious mixture. Allow the salad to rest briefly, letting the flavors mingle and intensify.

• Serving

Give the salad a final gentle stir to redistribute the dressing, then present this refreshing side dish immediately. The cool, creamy texture and vibrant flavors will delight your taste buds and complement any main course.

Tips and Add-Ins for Creamy Cucumber Salad

• Swap Greek yogurt for sour cream to boost protein and create a tangier dressing that's lighter in calories.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add minced jalapeños for a zesty kick that transforms the cool cucumber base into a more exciting dish.
• Prepare this salad up to 4 hours in advance, storing it covered in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld and intensify.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like chives, mint, or parsley to add unexpected depth and brightness to the classic cucumber salad.
• Toast some sunflower seeds or sliced almonds and scatter them on top right before serving for a delightful crunch that contrasts the creamy dressing.

Plating and Serving Creamy Cucumber Salad

• Pair with Grilled Proteins: Serve alongside juicy grilled chicken, succulent fish, or tender steak for a cool, refreshing contrast to hot, charred meats.
• Elevate Sandwich Sides: Use as a zesty accompaniment to deli sandwiches, burgers, or wraps to add a creamy, tangy crunch to your meal.
• Picnic Perfect Dish: Pack in a sealed container for outdoor gatherings, barbecues, or potlucks as a light, refreshing side that stays crisp and delicious.
• Dress Up Mediterranean Plates: Complement Mediterranean-inspired dishes like falafel, kebabs, or Greek salads with this creamy cucumber salad for an authentic touch.

How to Keep Creamy Cucumber Salad Fresh

• Chill and Refresh: Store this cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, keeping it crisp and cool.
• Quick Mix Tip: Stir the salad just before serving to redistribute the creamy dressing and revive its fresh texture.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Slice cucumbers and onions separately from the dressing to maintain crunchiness, combining only right before eating to prevent soggy vegetables.
• Serving Smart: Keep the salad refrigerated until mealtime, ensuring maximum flavor and preventing any potential bacterial growth from sitting at room temperature too long.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 85 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Creamy Cucumber Salad

• Cucumbers: Crisp, hydrating vegetable that provides a refreshing crunch and cool texture to the salad, choose firm and dark green cucumbers without blemishes.
• Red Onions: Sharp and tangy ingredient that adds a zesty bite and vibrant color, select onions with smooth, tight skin and no soft spots.

• Sour Cream, Dill: Smooth, rich base that creates a luxurious and herbaceous coating, pick full-fat sour cream for richer flavor and fresh dill for maximum aroma.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acid that balances the creamy texture and enhances overall flavor, use fresh-squeezed for the most vibrant taste.
• Sugar: Subtle sweetener that rounds out the tangy and herbal notes, opt for white granulated sugar for clean sweetness.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that amplifies and unifies all flavor profiles, select fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Fresh Dill: Delicate herb that provides additional aromatic freshness and elegant green specks, choose bright green sprigs with no wilting.

Tools for Prepping Creamy Cucumber Salad

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining and mixing ingredients thoroughly.
• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for slicing cucumbers and onions.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for peeling and cutting vegetables with precision.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure dressing ingredients like salt and sugar.
• Spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing the salad components together.

Cool Cucumber Salad Recipe

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• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Scandinavian cucumber salad brings refreshing flavors to summer dining. Cool herbed ingredients complement grilled meats and provide crisp textures you will enjoy at picnics and family gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 large cucumber
• ¼ red onion
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) sour cream
• ½ tsp dried dill
• 1 tsp sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Dressing Preparation: Whisk sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, dill, and salt in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy, creating a vibrant, tangy base for the salad.
2. Vegetable Preparation: Peel cucumbers (if desired) and slice into delicate, uniform rounds, then thinly cut red onions into translucent half-moons to provide a crisp, layered texture.
3. Salad Assembly: Gently fold cucumber and red onion into the herb-infused dressing, ensuring every slice is thoroughly coated with the creamy mixture, allowing flavors to meld and vegetables to absorb the zesty seasoning.
4. Marination and Serving: Let the salad rest for 5-10 minutes at room temperature to enhance flavor integration, then give a final gentle stir before serving chilled or at ambient temperature as a refreshing side dish that complements grilled proteins or stands alone as a light summer treat.

Notes

• Slice Thinly for Texture: Uniform cucumber and onion slices ensure each bite has the perfect balance of crunch and creaminess.
• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Letting the salad rest allows the herbs and dressing to infuse deeply into the vegetables, enhancing the overall taste profile.
• Customize Your Dressing: Adjust the tanginess by balancing lemon juice and sour cream to suit your personal preference.
• Serve with Flexibility: This versatile salad works brilliantly as a side dish for summer barbecues, picnics, or as a light refreshing accompaniment to main courses.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 85
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg