Best Creamy Cucumber Salad for Quick Summer Sides
Make the best creamy cucumber salad in just 15 minutes for your summer cookouts. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it crispy is to salt the cucumbers first. The dressing is tangy and creamy, with a hint of fresh dill. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Rosemary Dijon Chicken Breast Recipe for Dinner and Easy Raspberry Vanilla Cream Crepes Recipe for Breakfast.
Why This Best Creamy Cucumber Salad for Quick Summer Sides Is Pure Comfort
- Ready in 15 minutes
- Crispy cucumbers with a tangy dressing
- Perfect for summer cookouts
- Easy to customize with your favorite add-ins
What You'll Need for Best Creamy Cucumber Salad for Quick Summer Sides
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 large English cucumber
- 1/2 small red onion
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Salt and pepper
- Honey
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dill
- Optional: Crumbled feta cheese
- Optional: Chopped fresh tomatoes
- Optional: Sliced avocado
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- English cucumber: Regular cucumbers can be used, but they may be more watery.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline slicer — Ensures even, thin slices for perfect texture. → See on Amazon
- Measuring spoons — Accurate measurements for perfect dressing balance. → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Creamy Cucumber Salad for Quick Summer Sides
- Prepare cucumbers: Slice cucumber thinly using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Place in a colander, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt, and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse and pat dry.
- Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, dill, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine cucumber slices, thinly sliced red onion, and dressing. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled, with optional toppings if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Creamy Cucumber Salad for Quick Summer Sides
- Common mistake and fix: Don't skip salting the cucumbers. This step prevents a watery salad.
- Tip: For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
- Tip: Add your favorite protein, like grilled chicken or shrimp, for a complete meal.
Storing & Reheating Best Creamy Cucumber Salad 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 up to 24 hours ahead.
Freezing Best Creamy Cucumber Salad for Quick Summer Sides
Not recommended.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute red onion with thinly sliced red bell pepper for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and slice the cucumbers up to a day ahead. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too watery, drain some of the liquid before serving.
Want to level up this recipe?
Salad spinner — Quickly and easily removes excess moisture from the cucumbers. → Check price on Amazon
Best Creamy Cucumber Salad for Quick Summer Sides
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber
- 1/2 small red onion
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper
- Honey
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dill
Optional Toppings
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Chopped fresh tomatoes
- Sliced avocado
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare cucumbers: Slice cucumber thinly using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Place in a colander, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt, and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse and pat dry.
- Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, dill, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine cucumber slices, thinly sliced red onion, and dressing. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled, with optional toppings if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute red onion with thinly sliced red bell pepper for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and slice the cucumbers up to a day ahead. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too watery, drain some of the liquid before serving.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 24 hours ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 9g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Creamy Cucumber Salad for Quick Summer Sides FAQs
Yes, you can make the dressing and slice the cucumbers up to a day ahead. Combine just before serving to keep the cucumbers crisp.
This is likely due to not salting the cucumbers first. Salting draws out the moisture, preventing a watery salad.
No, freezing will cause the cucumbers to become mushy. It's best to serve this salad fresh.
The air fryer is not the best tool for making cucumber salad. It's best to make this salad by hand for the best texture.
Greek yogurt is the best substitute for sour cream in this recipe. It provides a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Creamy Cucumber Salad 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!
