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This easy Creamy Cucumber Salad is the perfect refreshing dish for summer. Crisp cucumbers are tossed in tangy sour cream, fresh dill and onions for a creamy salad that will win your heart.
After eating cucumber salad and cucumber tomato salad for weeks, it was time to change up the game and try something different. We wanted something satisfying, but still light and fresh for hot summer days. So we combined sliced cucumber and sour cream dressing to make a super creamy cuke salad.
Crunchy and creamy at the same time, it was oh so delicious that I had to share it on the blog. I just can’t get over it. You will love it as a refreshing side dish for barbecues, potlucks, picnics and camping. The best thing is that it’s healthy and so easy to make in just 5 minutes.
Table of Contents
Creamy cucumber salad ingredients
- English cucumbers. When making salads, English cucumbers are the best choice. They are bigger in size, have a delicate skin, a sweeter taste, and almost no seeds. Sometimes they’re also called seedless or European cucumbers. While other varieties can be used, you’ll likely need to peel and deseed the cucumbers.
- Onion. Onion slices add a delicious crunchy texture and taste to these creamed cucumbers with sour cream. I like red onion, but you are free to use yellow onion or purple onion.
- Sour cream. Making the cucumber dressing with sour cream provides creaminess and a rich flavor to the dish. Sour cream can be substituted with low-fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
- Apple cider vinegar. This is my personal choice, I love how sweet and sour it tastes. It is fruity and delicate, perfect for creamy cukes. You can replace apple cider vinegar with white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar.
- Salt and seasonings. Sea salt, ground black pepper and garlic powder will enhance the taste profile of your creamy salad. There is no right amount of salt or pepper, it depends on your personal preferences.
- Dill. Use fresh or frozen dill, depending on what’s available. We usually mix cucumber and cream salad with fresh dill because there’s always plenty of it in our garden. If you don’t have dill, replace with herbs like chopped parsley or chives.
What are the best cucumbers for creamy salad?
The best cucumbers for salad are the English cucumbers. English cucumbers are also known as European cucumbers, hothouse cucumbers, or seedless cucumbers. They are characterized by a long, thin shape, a mild flavor, and a thin skin that doesn’t need to be removed. For these reasons, they are the most recommended for creamy cuke salad.
If you are using regular garden cucumbers with thick skin and large seeds, you may need to remove both peel and seeds. To easily deseed them, cut lengthwise into 2 halves and use a spoon to scoop out all the seeds.
How to make creamy cucumber salad with sour cream?
- Prepare the dressing. Add sour cream, apple cider vinegar, chopped dill, garlic powder, salt and pepper to a large bowl. Whisk all ingredients together until you get a smooth cream.
- Cream cucumbers. Add sliced English cucumbers and onions to the cream and gently stir to coat the vegetables with cream. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper to your likings.
- Serve or refrigerate. Serve fresh for the best taste and a crunchy texture, or refrigerate in a food container for up to 2 days.
Storage directions
Cucumber and cream salad tastes delicious fresh, but you can also make it ahead. To store it, place leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate. If you store it properly, the dish can last for up to two days. However, I highly recommend eating it within the first day, as it tends to lose freshness and texture quite fast. Before serving, gently toss cucumber and sour cream to restore the creaminess.
How to keep cucumbers from getting soft?
The salting process is a simple way to keep cream cucumbers from getting soft in the salad. Here’s how to do it.
- Start by slicing cucumbers and then sprinkle a light layer of salt all over them.
- Place the slices in a bowl and let them sit for about 15-30 minutes. The salt will draw out excess water from the cucumbers, ensuring they remain crisp and crunchy when mixed with the sour cream dill dressing.
- After about half an hour, rinse the slices under cold running water to remove the excess salt and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Recipe variations
This easy creamy cucumber salad tastes delicious as it is, or served with other ingredients. Here are some of my favorite recipe variations for you to try. And if you have any other suggestion, write it in the comments down here. I love trying out new dishes!
- Cucumber salad greek yogurt recipe – Replace sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing. Greek yogurt is packed with protein, lower in fats and low in calories, but it won’t give your cuke salad the same richness and creaminess.
- Creamy cuke salad with mayo – Make the dressing with sour cream and a couple tablespoons of mayonnaise such as Miracle Whip for a more satisfying, rich cream.
- Zesty lemon dressing – Instead of apple cider vinegar, prepare the creamy dressing with about a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.
- Fresh herbs dressing – Substitute or combine fresh dill with other herbs such as chopped parsley, basil or chives.
- Creamy pepino salad variations – Experiment with additional mix-ins such as crumbled feta cheese, fresh mozzarella, blue cheese, avocado dices, or even chopped walnuts for more taste and texture.
Success tips
- Choose fresh English cucumbers, they are the best for salad because they come with a delicate taste, no seeds and a light skin that doesn’t need to be removed. Further, this type of cucumber tends to remain crisp and crunchy without getting soggy.
- Taste and adjust with more seasonings as you go. I recommend trying a bit of the dressing with a spoon, adding more salt and pepper if you feel that the cream cucumber dish is lacking flavor. As always, it’s better to start with little and add more only if necessary.
- Experiment with mix-ins such as feta cheese or avocado, try different herbs, or prepare the dressing with Greek yogurt, mayonnaise or cream cheese for a salad that matches your preferences.
- I recommend you to serve this cream cucumber recipe fresh, right after tossing cucumbers into the sour cream dressing. This is when the salad tastes rich and tart, with a combination of creamy and crisp textures.
What to serve with creamy cucumber salad?
- Air fryer tofu
- Salmon patties
- Air fryer hard boiled eggs
- Potato fritters
- Air fryer corn on the cob
- Fish cakes
- Fire roasted tomatoes
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2 English cucumbers, also known as seedless cucumbers, sliced
- ⅓ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Sour Cream Dressing
- ½ cup (125 g) sour cream, or plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar
- ⅙ tsp garlic powder, optional
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add sour cream, apple cider vinegar, chopped dill, garlic powder, salt and pepper to a large bowl. Whisk all ingredients together until you get a smooth cream.
- Add sliced English cucumbers and onions to the cream and gently stir to coat the vegetables with cream. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper to your likings.
- Serve fresh for the best taste and a crunchy texture, or refrigerate in a food container for up to 2 days.
