For a side dish that’s both indulgent and light, this recipe delivers creamy satisfaction without the usual calorie load. The secret is in a tangy, herb-flecked dressing that clings perfectly to each crisp cucumber slice. I think we’ve all had that sad, watery cucumber salad that wilts before it even hits the table. This version is the happy opposite. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a cool breeze on a warm day, a reliable friend at every summer potluck and backyard barbecue. This Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad is my go-to when I need something refreshing that still has a bit of comforting richness. It’s the perfect bridge between a light side and a satisfying dish, proving that a great cucumber salad recipe doesn’t have to be complicated to be memorable. Simple ingredients, warm memories.
Table of Contents
Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad
A refreshing and indulgent side dish with a tangy, herb-flecked creamy dressing. This salad stays crisp and never watery, perfect for summer gatherings or a light meal.
- Prep Time: 20min
- Cook Time: 0min
- Total Time: 50min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: lunch
- Method: no-cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup full-fat sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Place sliced cucumbers in a colander, toss with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and let drain for 15-20 minutes.
- While cucumbers drain, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, vinegar, sugar, pepper, and garlic powder in a large bowl.
- Rinse the salted cucumbers under cold water, then pat them very dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Add the dried cucumbers, sliced red onion, and halved tomatoes to the bowl with the dressing.
- Gently fold everything together until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.
Notes
Salting the cucumbers is crucial to prevent a watery salad. For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream. Fresh dill is recommended, but 1 tablespoon dried dill can be used in a pinch. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 15
Ingredients List for Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad
This Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad comes together with a handful of fresh, simple ingredients. The magic is in their quality and how you treat them.
For the Salad:
- 2 large English cucumbers (or 4-5 smaller garden cucumbers)
- ½ a small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Creamy Dill Dressing:
- ½ cup full-fat sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about ½ a lemon)
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Smart Swaps: For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream. Fresh dill is key, but in a pinch, 1 tablespoon of dried dill will work. If you love a classic tomato cucumber salad vibe, feel free to add a diced bell pepper for extra crunch.
Timing for Your Cucumber Salad
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (includes salting and resting)
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes, plus 30 minutes to chill
The active time is minimal, but giving this Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad a little time to chill in the fridge lets the flavors marry beautifully. It’s about 50% faster than many cooked side dishes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this salad is a lesson in building layers of flavor and texture. Follow these simple steps for the best results.
- Prep and Salt the Cucumbers. Thinly slice your cucumbers (a mandoline is great for even slices, but a sharp knife works perfectly). Place them in a colander set over a bowl or in the sink. Toss with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Let them sit for 15-20 minutes. This crucial step draws out excess water, ensuring your creamy cucumber dill salad stays crisp and never watery.
- Make the Dressing. While the cucumbers drain, whisk together all the dressing ingredients—sour cream, mayo, lemon juice, dill, vinegar, sugar, pepper, and garlic powder—in a large mixing bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Rinse and Dry. After the cucumbers have rested, give them a quick rinse under cold water to remove the excess salt. Pat them very dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. This is your second defense against a soggy salad.
- Combine and Chill. Add the dried cucumber slices, thinly sliced red onion, and halved tomatoes to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold everything together until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chill time allows the flavors to blend and the vegetables to stay snappy.
Nutritional Information
A serving of this Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad is refreshing and satisfying. Per serving (approximately 1 cup):
- Calories: ~120
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: 2g
Cucumbers are hydrating and provide vitamin K, while the tomatoes add a boost of vitamin C and lycopene. Using full-fat dairy helps the dressing cling beautifully and adds a satisfying richness that makes this salad feel like a treat.
Equipment Needed
You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this cucumber salad recipe. A few basics from your kitchen will do:
- A sharp knife and cutting board
- A colander
- A large mixing bowl
- A whisk or fork for the dressing
- Measuring spoons and cups
- (Helpful but optional) A mandoline slicer for perfectly even cucumber slices
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad
This isn’t just another side dish; it’s a weeknight hero and a potluck superstar.
- Stays Crisp for Days: The salting technique is a game-changer. Your salad will be just as crunchy on day two.
- Incredibly Versatile: It pairs with everything from grilled chicken and burgers to a simple quiche. It’s the ultimate flexible side.
- Comfort Food, Made Easy. It feels indulgent but comes together with zero cooking. Regular kitchen, regular time, great results.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The creamy, tangy, herby dressing appeals to almost everyone, making it a safe bet for gatherings.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make it on a Sunday and enjoy it throughout the week for quick lunches or easy dinners.
Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe
This Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad is already pretty wholesome, but you can easily tweak it to fit different dietary needs.
- Dairy-Free/Lighter: Swap the sour cream for an equal amount of plain, unsweetened dairy-free yogurt or light sour cream.
- Higher Protein: Add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or white beans to the salad mix.
- Lower Carb: The recipe is naturally low in carbs, but you can omit the teaspoon of sugar in the dressing. The lemon juice and vinegar provide plenty of brightness.
- Extra Veggie-Packed: Stir in some chopped radishes, bell peppers, or even steamed green beans for more color and nutrients.
Serving Suggestions
This salad shines in so many settings. Here’s how to serve it:
- As a Classic Side: It’s phenomenal alongside anything from the grill—burgers, brats, grilled salmon, or juicy grilled chicken.
- Potluck Perfect: Double the batch and bring it to your next barbecue or picnic. It travels well and always disappears fast.
- Light Lunch: Serve it over a bed of greens with some grilled shrimp or shredded rotisserie chicken on top for a complete meal.
- With Other Salads: Create a vibrant salad spread by pairing it with our Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad for a Mediterranean contrast, or our Crisp Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad for those who love a kick.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few simple tips will guarantee your creamy cucumber dill salad is perfect every time.
- Skipping the Salting Step: This is the most common error. Salting draws out water. If you skip it, your dressing will become diluted and pool in the bottom of the bowl within an hour.
- Not Drying the Cucumbers: After rinsing, take the extra minute to pat them thoroughly dry. Any residual water will thin out your creamy dressing.
- Using Dried Dill When Fresh is Available: Fresh dill has a bright, grassy flavor that dried simply can’t replicate. It makes all the difference in this recipe.
- Over-mixing the Salad: Once you add the cucumbers and tomatoes, fold gently. You want to coat them, not crush them.
Storing Tips for the Recipe
This Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad stores beautifully, making it ideal for make-ahead meals.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The vegetables will soften slightly but remain delicious.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the dressing and chop the vegetables (store the salted/dried cucumbers separately) up to a day in advance. Combine everything 30 minutes before you plan to serve.
- Freezing: I do not recommend freezing this salad, as the cucumbers and tomatoes will become mushy and watery upon thawing.
- Reviving Leftovers: If the salad seems a little wet after a day or two, simply give it a gentle stir. The flavors will have deepened even more.
Conclusion
This Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad is proof that the simplest dishes are often the most loved. It’s a reliable, refreshing, and utterly satisfying side that works as hard on a busy Tuesday as it does at a weekend feast. With its crisp texture and herby, creamy dressing, it’s a cucumber salad recipe you’ll turn to again and again. Food that feels like home.
I’d love to hear how it turns out for you! Did you add any extra veggies? Serve it with something new? Let me know in the comments below. And if you’re looking for more ways to enjoy crisp cucumbers, try our Chopped Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad for a fiery twist, or our Creamy Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad for the best of both worlds. Don’t forget to tag @StackSipSnack on Pinterest so I can see your beautiful creations.
Okay, here's the RankMath FAQ block code for "Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad," based on common "People Also Ask" questions:
FAQs about Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad
What is creamy cucumber dill salad made of?
Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad typically includes cucumbers, fresh dill, a creamy dressing (usually made with sour cream, mayonnaise, or yogurt), vinegar, sugar, and sometimes other additions like onion or garlic.
How long does creamy cucumber salad last in the fridge?
Creamy cucumber salad generally lasts for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and prevent it from absorbing odors.
Can I make cucumber dill salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can make cucumber dill salad ahead of time, but keep in mind that cucumbers release water. For best results, prepare the dressing separately and combine it with the cucumbers shortly before serving. This will help prevent the salad from becoming too watery.
What can I serve with creamy cucumber salad?
Creamy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad is a versatile side dish that pairs well with grilled meats, fish, sandwiches, or as part of a summer buffet. It's also delicious with baked chicken or pork.
How do you keep cucumber salad from getting watery?
To prevent creamy cucumber salad from getting watery, slice the cucumbers thinly and optionally salt them before adding them to the dressing. Let them sit for about 15-20 minutes, then rinse and pat them dry. This draws out excess moisture.
Is cucumber salad good for you?
Yes, cucumber salad can be a healthy option! Cucumbers are hydrating and low in calories. However, be mindful of the dressing, as high-fat dressings can increase the calorie count. Opting for Greek yogurt or a lighter mayonnaise can make it a healthier choice.
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