Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad is the perfect summer side dish. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the creamy dill dressing. The fresh cucumbers and red onion are crisp and refreshing, and the dressing is so creamy and tangy, it’s better than store-bought! If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Quick Cajun Scallops in Creamy Mustard Sauce Dinner and Easy Honey Mustard BLT Chicken Sliders Recipe.
Why This Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides Is Pure Comfort
- Ready in just 15 minutes
- Creamy dressing with a tangy kick
- Perfect for summer cookouts and BBQs
- Better than store-bought, healthier too
What You'll Need for Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 large cucumbers
- 1/2 red onion
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- Optional: 1 tbsp capers, drained (optional)
- Optional: 2 tbsp crumbled feta cheese (optional)
📝 Ingredient Notes
- cucumbers: Peel if desired. Thinly slice for best results.
- red onion: Soak in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Ensures even, thin slices for perfect texture. → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Makes smooth, lump-free dressing in seconds. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
- Prepare cucumbers and onion: Thinly slice cucumbers and soak red onion in cold water for 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
- Make dressing: In a blender, combine sour cream, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, dill, salt, pepper, and sugar. Blend until smooth.
- Combine: In a large bowl, combine cucumbers, red onion, and dressing. Mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Chill: Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with capers and feta if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
- : For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid over-salting the dressing. Start with 1/2 tsp and adjust to taste. Over-salting can be fixed by adding more yogurt or vinegar.
- : For a lighter version, use all Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- : Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavor improves over time.
Storing & Reheating Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made ahead and chilled for up to 3 days.
Freezing Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quick pickling effect, add 1 tbsp of white vinegar to the cucumber and onion mixture before adding the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter, tangier dressing.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the cucumber and onion mixture up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to dress.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the dressing is too thick, add a little more vinegar or water to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality blender — Ensures a smooth, lump-free dressing every time. Pays for itself vs takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 large cucumbers
- 1/2 red onion
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp sugar
Optional Toppings
- 1 tbsp capers, drained (optional)
- 2 tbsp crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare cucumbers and onion: Thinly slice cucumbers and soak red onion in cold water for 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
- Make dressing: In a blender, combine sour cream, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, dill, salt, pepper, and sugar. Blend until smooth.
- Combine: In a large bowl, combine cucumbers, red onion, and dressing. Mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Chill: Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with capers and feta if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quick pickling effect, add 1 tbsp of white vinegar to the cucumber and onion mixture before adding the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter, tangier dressing.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the cucumber and onion mixture up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to dress.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the dressing is too thick, add a little more vinegar or water to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Can be made ahead and chilled for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 70
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides FAQs
Yes, prepare the cucumber and onion mixture up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to dress. Add the dressing just before serving.
Over-salting the cucumbers draws out their water. To fix, drain the cucumbers on a paper towel before mixing with the dressing.
No, freezing changes the texture of the cucumbers and dressing.
No, this is a cold salad. The air fryer is not suitable for this recipe.
Yes, this salad is low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. The creamy dressing adds healthy fats and protein.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
