Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad is the ultimate quick summer side. After making it countless times, I discovered the trick to keeping it crispy and refreshing. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Roasted Rainbow Vegetables with Fresh Herbs and Easy Sweet Potato Chickpea Curry Recipe.
Why This Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides Is Pure Comfort
- Crisp cucumbers in every bite
- Creamy, tangy dressing that's better than takeout
- Easy to make and perfect for summer cookouts
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.
- 1 large English cucumber
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Crumbled feta cheese
- Optional: Toasted pine nuts
📝 Ingredient Notes
- English cucumber: Regular cucumbers work too, but English cucumbers have fewer seeds and are less watery.
🛒 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: Thinly slice cucumbers using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Place in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 10 minutes to draw out water.
- Make dressing: In a blender or bowl, combine sour cream, Greek yogurt, vinegar, dill, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Assemble salad: Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. In a large bowl, combine cucumbers, red onion, chives, and parsley. Pour dressing over top and toss to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to let flavors meld. Top with feta and pine nuts if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
- Common mistake and fix: Don't skip salting the cucumbers. It prevents the salad from becoming watery.
- Tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
- Tip: Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The salad may release some water, but it will still be crispy.
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: Yes, up to 1 day ahead.
Freezing Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe 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 lower-calorie version, substitute half of the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for the cucumbers. They are the star of the show!
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and slice the cucumbers up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad becomes watery, drain and pat dry the cucumbers before serving.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality cutting board — Ensures even, safe slicing for perfect results. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Optional Toppings
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Toasted pine nuts
Instructions
- Prepare cucumbers: Thinly slice cucumbers using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Place in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 10 minutes to draw out water.
- Make dressing: In a blender or bowl, combine sour cream, Greek yogurt, vinegar, dill, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Assemble salad: Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. In a large bowl, combine cucumbers, red onion, chives, and parsley. Pour dressing over top and toss to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to let flavors meld. Top with feta and pine nuts if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lower-calorie version, substitute half of the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for the cucumbers. They are the star of the show!
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and slice the cucumbers up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad becomes watery, drain and pat dry the cucumbers 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: Yes, up to 1 day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sat. Fat: 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, up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge and combine just before serving.
Overcrowding the cucumbers in the colander or not salting them properly can cause this. Make sure to salt and drain them well.
No, freezing will ruin the texture of the cucumbers.
No, the air fryer is not suitable for this recipe.
Plain Greek yogurt is the best substitute for sour cream in this recipe.
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!
