The Best Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Summer Refreshment

Creamy cucumber salad elevates ordinary vegetables into a refreshing summer sensation that dances across your taste buds.

Cool and crisp ingredients merge into a delightful side dish bursting with tangy potential.

Mediterranean and eastern European culinary traditions have long celebrated this simple yet sophisticated preparation.

Light and zesty, this recipe balances smooth textures with bright, invigorating flavors that complement almost any main course.

creamy elements provide a luxurious backdrop to the garden-fresh vegetables, creating a harmonious blend of sensations.

Crisp cucumber slices nestled in a silky dressing offer a perfect counterpoint to hearty meals.

Each bite promises a delectable journey through refreshing coolness and subtle complexity.

Reasons to Love Creamy Cucumber Salad

• Refresh with Crisp Coolness: This cucumber salad delivers a super refreshing bite that instantly cools you down, perfect for hot summer days when you crave something light and invigorating.
• Whip Up in Minutes: The recipe takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal quick side dish for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings with minimal cooking skills required.
• Creamy Tangy Delight: The combination of sour cream, lemon juice, and dill creates a rich, zesty dressing that beautifully coats the crisp cucumbers and sharp red onions, offering a harmonious blend of smooth and crunchy textures.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: This salad works wonderfully as a side dish for barbecues, picnics, potlucks, or alongside grilled meats, bringing a fresh and vibrant element to any meal with its simple yet delicious flavor profile.

The Simple Ingredients in Creamy Cucumber Salad

• Sour Cream: Creamy foundation that provides a tangy and rich base for the dressing, best when full-fat for maximum flavor.

• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that adds freshness and balances the creamy texture.
• Sugar: Subtle sweetener that rounds out the dressing's flavor profile.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that heightens all other ingredients' taste.
• Dill: Classic herb that brings a light, aromatic touch to the cucumber salad.

• Cucumbers: Crisp and refreshing main ingredient, preferably seedless or English varieties for a smoother texture.
• Red Onions: Sharp and colorful vegetable that adds a mild bite and visual interest to the salad, thinly sliced for best integration.

Putting Together Creamy Cucumber Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Zesty Dressing

• Sour cream
• Lemon juice
• Sugar
• Chopped fresh dill
• Salt

Whisk the ingredients until smooth and set aside.

Step 2: Slice the Vegetables

Peel the cucumbers (optional) and slice them into thin rounds.

Thinly slice the red onions to create delicate half-moons.

Step 3: Combine and Marinate

Transfer the cucumber and red onion slices into a large mixing bowl.

Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetables.

Gently toss the ingredients to ensure even coating.

Step 4: Rest and Serve

Let the salad sit for 5-10 minutes at room temperature.

Give the salad another quick stir to redistribute the dressing.

Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish.

Pro Tip: For extra crunch, you can sprinkle some chopped fresh herbs or toasted seeds on top before serving.

Little Tricks for Better Creamy Cucumber Salad

• Slice Cucumbers Uniformly: Use a sharp knife or mandoline to create thin, even cucumber slices for consistent texture and better dressing absorption.
• Drain Excess Moisture: Salt cucumber slices and let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out water, preventing a watery salad and maintaining a crisp crunch.
• Adjust Dressing Consistency: Add more sour cream for a thicker dressing or include a splash of milk if you prefer a lighter, more pourable texture.
• Enhance Herb Freshness: Chop fresh dill just before mixing to maximize its vibrant flavor and aromatic qualities in the salad.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and develop a more complex taste profile.

Keeping Creamy Cucumber Salad Fresh for Later

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover cucumber salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the salad chilled to maintain its crisp texture and fresh flavor.
• Drain Excess Liquid: Before serving stored salad, gently stir and drain any accumulated liquid to prevent soggy cucumbers. This helps preserve the salad's original crunchiness.
• Avoid Freezing: Do not freeze this creamy cucumber salad, as the sour cream-based dressing will separate and become watery, compromising the texture and taste of the dish.

What to Pair with Creamy Cucumber Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the creamy, tangy dressing and refreshing cucumber flavors, creating a perfect summer meal companion.
• Serve alongside Grilled Proteins: Roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or baked pork chops provide a delicious protein contrast to the cool, creamy salad, balancing textures and temperatures.
• Match with Crusty Bread: Rustic sourdough or garlic bread helps soak up the delightful dressing, adding a crunchy element and making the dish feel more substantial and satisfying.
• Enhance with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped chives or additional fresh dill on top to boost the herbal notes and add a bright, aromatic finishing touch to the salad.

Dressing Up Creamy Cucumber Salad with Variations

• Summer Garden Fresh: Skip peeling cucumbers, use garden-fresh varieties with thin skins for extra crunch and nutrients, adding chopped bell peppers for vibrant color and additional texture.
• Mediterranean Herb Blend: Replace dill with fresh chopped mint and oregano, incorporate crumbled feta cheese, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Mix in diced jalapeños, replace sour cream with Greek yogurt, add chopped cilantro, and sprinkle with chili powder for a zesty, bold flavor profile.
• Creamy Vegan Alternative: Substitute sour cream with cashew cream, use maple syrup instead of sugar, and add nutritional yeast for a rich, plant-based dressing that maintains the salad's signature creaminess.

Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cool Russian cucumber salad blends tangy sour cream with crisp vegetables and fresh dill. Refreshing summer sides like this bring simple Mediterranean happiness to garden gatherings and picnic tables.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 large cucumber
• ¼ red onion

Dairy and Seasoning:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
• ½ teaspoon dried dill
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt

Liquid Ingredient:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Create a tangy dressing by whisking together sour cream, freshly squeezed lemon juice, granulated sugar, finely chopped fresh dill, and a pinch of kosher salt in a medium mixing bowl until smooth and well-blended.
2. Prepare the vegetables by carefully peeling the cucumbers (optional) and slicing them into thin, uniform rounds approximately 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) thick.
3. Thinly slice the red onions into delicate, translucent half-moons that will complement the cucumber’s crisp texture.
4. Gently fold the cucumber and red onion slices into the prepared creamy dressing, ensuring each vegetable piece is evenly coated with the herb-infused mixture.
5. Allow the salad to rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes, which will help the flavors meld and the vegetables slightly marinate in the dressing.
6. Give the salad a final gentle stir just before serving to redistribute the dressing and ensure maximum flavor integration.
7. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or as a light summer accompaniment.

Notes

• Cool down quickly by chilling the salad in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor melding and crisp texture.
• Use fresh dill for the most vibrant and aromatic taste that elevates the entire dish.
• Select firm, seedless cucumbers like English or Persian varieties for the best crunch and minimal watering.
• Adjust sweetness by gradually adding sugar, tasting as you go to balance the tangy and creamy profile.
• Prepare the salad just before serving to maintain the crisp vegetable texture and prevent sogginess.
• Optional: Sprinkle fresh cracked black pepper or add chopped fresh herbs like chives for extra depth.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 75 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg