Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad is the ultimate summer side dish. After making this countless times, I’ve discovered the secret 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 Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese Recipe and Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon.
Why This Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy cucumbers in a tangy, creamy dressing
- Ready in just 15 minutes
- Perfect for summer cookouts and BBQs
- Better than takeout
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 red onion
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- Optional: Crumbled bacon
- Optional: Chopped fresh tomatoes
- Optional: Shredded cheese
📝 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 perfectly thin, even slices for crispy cucumbers. → See on Amazon
- Mixing Bowl Set — Perfect for mixing the dressing and tossing the salad. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
- Prepare the cucumber: Slice the cucumber thinly using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife. Place the slices in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess water.
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Assemble the salad: Rinse the cucumber slices under cold water and pat dry. Add them to the bowl with the dressing along with the chopped red onion and dill. Toss to combine.
- Chill and serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled, with optional toppings 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. This step prevents the salad from becoming watery.
- Pro tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
- Pro tip: Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will intensify over time.
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: Can be made up to 1 day ahead. The flavors will intensify over time.
Freezing Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for the cucumber. It's the star of the show!
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead instructions.
- Scaling: This recipe is easy to double or triple for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad becomes watery, drain excess liquid before serving.
Want to level up this recipe?
Salad Spinner — Ensures crispy, dry cucumbers for the perfect salad texture. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber
- 1/2 red onion
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Optional Toppings
- Crumbled bacon
- Chopped fresh tomatoes
- Shredded cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the cucumber: Slice the cucumber thinly using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife. Place the slices in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess water.
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Assemble the salad: Rinse the cucumber slices under cold water and pat dry. Add them to the bowl with the dressing along with the chopped red onion and dill. Toss to combine.
- Chill and serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled, with optional toppings if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for the cucumber. It's the star of the show!
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead instructions.
- Scaling: This recipe is easy to double or triple for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad becomes watery, drain excess liquid before serving.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 1 day ahead. The flavors will intensify over time.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
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, you can make this salad up to 1 day ahead. The flavors will intensify over time.
Skipping the salting step or using regular cucumbers instead of English cucumbers can cause the salad to become watery. Make sure to salt the cucumbers and use English cucumbers for the best results.
No, this salad is not suitable for freezing. The texture and flavor will be affected.
No, this salad is best served chilled and does not require cooking.
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!
