15 Minute Creamy Cucumber Salad

Picture this: crisp cucumber slices swimming in a luscious, tangy dressing that’s both refreshing and satisfying. This creamy cucumber salad recipe transforms humble garden cucumbers into a show-stopping side dish that’ll have your guests asking for seconds.

Fun fact: cucumbers are 96% water, making this dish incredibly hydrating and perfect for hot summer days! What makes this recipe truly special is its incredible simplicity—ready in just 15 minutes with ingredients you probably already have.

Unlike our popular potato salad that requires cooking time, this no-cook wonder delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy weeknights and last-minute gatherings.

What is Creamy Cucumber Salad?

Ever wondered why something so simple sounds so fancy? This isn’t just sliced cucumbers drowning in mayo—it’s a perfectly balanced symphony of crisp vegetables and creamy goodness that’ll make your taste buds dance! The “creamy” comes from our secret blend of sour cream and mayo, while the cucumbers provide that satisfying crunch.

As they say, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” and this dish proves that sometimes the simplest paths are the most rewarding. Ready to create some kitchen magic?

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Cucumber Salad:

Fresh Garden Flavor That Pops Every bite delivers a burst of cool, refreshing cucumber paired with a rich, tangy dressing that perfectly balances creamy and zesty flavors. The combination of fresh dill and red onion adds layers of complexity that transform ordinary cucumbers into an extraordinary side dish that complements everything from grilled chicken to barbecue ribs.

Budget-Friendly Kitchen Win Making this creamy cucumber salad at home costs a fraction of store-bought versions and tastes infinitely better! With just a few affordable ingredients, you can create enough salad to feed a crowd for under $5. Plus, you control every ingredient, ensuring no mysterious additives or excessive sodium.

Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing This recipe shines whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or need a quick weeknight side. The creamy dressing clings perfectly to each cucumber slice, while optional add-ins like cherry tomatoes or bell peppers let you customize to your heart’s content. Unlike our hearty coleslaw recipe that needs time to soften, this salad maintains its delightful crunch from the first bite to the last. Ready to make your kitchen the neighborhood favorite?

How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad:

Quick Overview

This creamy cucumber salad combines the refreshing crunch of fresh cucumbers with a rich, tangy dressing that’s absolutely irresistible. The secret lies in the perfect balance of sour cream and mayonnaise, enhanced with fresh dill and a hint of vinegar for that perfect tang.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6-8

Key Ingredients for Creamy Cucumber Salad:

For the Salad:

• 4 large English cucumbers (about 3 pounds), thinly sliced
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons salt (for drawing out moisture)
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chives, chopped (optional)

For the Creamy Dressing:

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon celery seed (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Prepare the Cucumbers Wash and dry the cucumbers thoroughly. Using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife, slice cucumbers into 1/8-inch thick rounds. For extra presentation points, leave some skin on in strips by running a vegetable peeler down the length before slicing. Place sliced cucumbers in a large colander.

Salt and Drain Sprinkle the sliced cucumbers with salt and toss to coat evenly. Let them sit in the colander for 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture. This crucial step prevents your salad from becoming watery and ensures the dressing adheres perfectly to each slice.

Prepare the Onions While cucumbers are draining, slice the red onion as thinly as possible. For milder flavor, soak the onion slices in cold water for 15 minutes, then drain and pat dry. This removes some of the sharp bite while maintaining the crunch.

Make the Dressing In a medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, black pepper, and celery seed until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed—you want a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and creamy.

Rinse and Dry After 30 minutes, rinse the salted cucumbers thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt. Using clean kitchen towels or paper towels, pat the cucumber slices completely dry. This step is essential for preventing diluted dressing.

Combine and Chill In a large serving bowl, combine the dried cucumbers, prepared onions, fresh dill, and chives. Pour the creamy dressing over the vegetables and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

What to Serve Creamy Cucumber Salad With:

This versatile side dish pairs beautifully with grilled meats like barbecue chicken, pork chops, or hamburgers. It’s also perfect alongside rich dishes like fried chicken, meatloaf, or hearty casseroles where its cool, refreshing nature provides a delightful contrast.

For lighter meals, serve it with grilled fish, chicken salad sandwiches, or as part of a picnic spread with potato salad and deviled eggs. The creamy, tangy flavors also complement Mediterranean dishes, making it an excellent addition to gyros, grilled lamb, or falafel plates.

Top Tips for Perfecting Creamy Cucumber Salad:

Choose the Right Cucumbers English cucumbers work best because they have fewer seeds and thinner skins, but regular cucumbers work too. If using regular cucumbers, peel them and scoop out seeds with a spoon for better texture. Always choose firm, bright green cucumbers without soft spots.

Master the Salt Technique Don’t skip the salting step—it’s what separates soggy salad from crispy perfection! The salt draws out moisture, concentrating flavors and preventing watery dressing. For extra insurance, you can press the salted cucumbers between clean towels with a weight on top.

Customize Your Flavor Profile Add sliced radishes for extra crunch, cherry tomatoes for color and sweetness, or thinly sliced bell peppers for more vegetables. For heat lovers, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or finely diced jalapeños to the dressing.

Timing is Everything While this salad tastes great immediately, it’s even better after chilling for a few hours. However, don’t let it sit longer than 24 hours, as cucumbers will start releasing more water and dilute the dressing.

Storing and Reheating Tips:

Store leftover creamy cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The salad is best enjoyed cold and doesn’t require reheating.

For optimal freshness, drain any accumulated liquid before serving leftovers. If the salad seems dry, refresh it with a spoonful of sour cream or mayonnaise mixed with a splash of vinegar.

This recipe doesn’t freeze well due to the high water content of cucumbers, which become mushy when thawed. For best results, make only what you plan to consume within 48 hours.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories	95
Total Fat	6g
Saturated Fat	2g
Cholesterol	10mg
Sodium	320mg
Total Carbs	9g
Dietary Fiber	2g
Sugars	7g
Protein	2g
Vitamin K	15% DV
Vitamin C	8% DV

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time? Yes! This creamy cucumber salad actually tastes better after sitting for a few hours as the flavors meld together. Make it up to 24 hours in advance, but drain any excess liquid before serving.

Why are my cucumbers soggy? Soggy cucumbers usually result from skipping the salting step or not drying them thoroughly after rinsing. The salt draws out moisture, which is essential for maintaining crunch.

Can I substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream? Absolutely! Greek yogurt makes an excellent substitute and adds extra protein. Use the same amount and add an extra teaspoon of vinegar to maintain the tangy flavor profile.

How do I keep the onions from being too strong? Soak sliced onions in cold water for 15-20 minutes before adding to the salad. This removes some of the sharp bite while maintaining the crunch and mild onion flavor.

What other vegetables can I add? Try adding thinly sliced radishes, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or even thinly sliced carrots. Keep additions to about 1 cup total so cucumbers remain the star ingredient.

Can I use dried dill instead of fresh? Yes, but use only 1 teaspoon of dried dill instead of 2 tablespoons fresh. Add it directly to the dressing and let it sit for 10 minutes before mixing with vegetables.

How thin should I slice the cucumbers? Aim for 1/8-inch thick slices. Too thick and they won’t absorb the dressing well; too thin and they’ll become mushy. A mandoline slicer gives the most consistent results.

Is this salad keto-friendly? This recipe contains about 7g net carbs per serving due to the sugar in the dressing. For keto, substitute the sugar with your preferred low-carb sweetener like erythritol or stevia.

Pro Chef Secrets for Extra Success:

Temperature Matters Serve this salad ice-cold for the most refreshing experience. Chill your serving bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes before adding the salad for an extra-cool presentation that keeps the salad crisp longer.

Make It Restaurant-Style For professional presentation, use a mandoline to get paper-thin, uniform slices. Arrange them in overlapping circles in a shallow serving dish, then drizzle the dressing artfully over top and garnish with fresh dill sprigs.

Seasonal Variations In spring, add thinly sliced asparagus or sugar snap peas. Summer calls for cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. Fall variations can include thinly sliced apples or pears for a sweet twist, while winter versions benefit from pomegranate seeds for color and crunch.

This creamy cucumber salad recipe proves that the simplest ingredients can create the most memorable dishes. With its perfect balance of cool cucumber crunch and rich, tangy dressing, it’s destined to become your go-to side dish for every season. The best part? It gets better with time, making it ideal for meal prep and entertaining. So grab those cucumbers and get ready to create a dish that’ll have everyone asking for your secret!