Creamy Cucumber Salad is a fresh, crisp, and refreshing side dish made with thinly sliced cucumbers, red onion, dill, and a smooth sour cream dressing. The apple cider vinegar adds a light tanginess that balances the creamy dressing, while garlic, basil, salt, and black pepper bring everything together.
This easy cucumber salad is especially delicious during the warmer months when cucumbers are fresh and full of flavor. It takes only a few minutes to prepare and pairs beautifully with grilled meat, baked chicken, roasted potatoes, sandwiches, or any simple family meal.
Cucumbers are naturally refreshing and especially delicious in warm-weather recipes, making this Creamy Cucumber Salad a wonderful choice for barbecues, picnics, family dinners, or simple weeknight meals. The sour cream dressing coats every crisp cucumber slice, while apple cider vinegar, dill, garlic, basil, and olive oil give the salad a bright and savory flavor. You can learn more about hydrating foods such as cucumbers from the Cleveland Clinic.
For another fresh way to enjoy seasonal cucumbers, try my Cucumber Salad with Basil and Pine Nuts for another crowd-pleasing side dish option. It combines cucumbers with juicy tomatoes, red onion, basil, toasted pine nuts, and a light lemon dressing.
Quick Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: Optional
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 2
- Difficulty: Easy
- Method: No-Cook
This creamy cucumber salad can be served immediately if all the ingredients are already chilled. For an even colder salad and a more developed flavor, refrigerate it for 15-30 minutes before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Quick and easy: It takes only 10 minutes to prepare with no cooking required.
- Fresh and refreshing: Crisp cucumbers and red onion make it perfect for warm summer days.
- Creamy and tangy: Sour cream, apple cider vinegar, dill, garlic, and olive oil create a flavorful dressing.
- Perfect for small meals: This recipe makes two servings and is easy to double for family gatherings or barbecues.
- Easy to serve: Enjoy it immediately or chill it for 15-30 minutes for an even colder, more flavorful salad.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This creamy cucumber salad comes together with a handful of simple, fresh ingredients and a smooth, tangy sour cream dressing.
Cucumber: Use one large, firm cucumber and slice it very thinly for the best texture.
Sour cream: Creates the rich, smooth, and creamy base for the dressing.
Red onion: Adds color, crunch, and a mild sharp flavor. Slice it as thinly as possible.
Apple cider vinegar: Gives the dressing a fresh, tangy flavor that balances the sour cream.
Olive oil: Makes the dressing smoother and adds a light savory richness.
Dill: A classic herb for Creamy Cucumber Salad that adds a fresh, slightly grassy flavor.
Garlic powder: Adds gentle garlic flavor without overpowering the cucumbers.
Fresh basil: An optional addition that brings extra freshness and aroma.
Salt and black pepper: Enhance and balance all the flavors in the salad.
How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad
1. Prepare the Cucumber and Onion
- For this salad, I prefer using a long, slender English cucumber because it has a delicate skin and a crisp texture.
- Wash the cucumber thoroughly, then slice it into thin, even rounds. There is no need to peel it unless you prefer your salad without the skin.
- Peel and wash the red onion, then slice it into very thin strips. Add the sliced cucumber and onion to a large mixing bowl.
2. Make the Creamy Dressing
- In a separate small bowl, combine the sour cream, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, dill, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the ingredients are completely combined and the dressing becomes smooth and creamy.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed.
3. Combine the Salad
- Pour the creamy dressing over the sliced cucumber and red onion. Gently toss everything together until every cucumber slice is evenly coated and the onion is well distributed throughout the salad.
4. Garnish and Serve
- I love finishing this salad with a little finely sliced fresh basil. It adds a beautiful aroma and a light summery note that pairs wonderfully with the cucumber and creamy dill dressing.
- Serve the salad immediately while the ingredients are cold and crisp, or refrigerate it for 15–30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
Serving Suggestions
This Creamy Cucumber Salad is best served cold alongside warm, freshly baked dishes. I especially love pairing it with my Zucchini and Potato Slice-the cool, tangy sour cream dressing balances the soft, savory vegetable slice beautifully and adds a refreshing contrast to every bite.
- Presentation: Serve the salad in a small bowl or spoon it directly onto the plate beside the zucchini and potato slice.
- Garnish ideas: Finish it with a little extra dill, freshly ground black pepper, or thinly sliced basil for a fresh summer touch.
- Other pairings: It also pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, roasted meat, baked potatoes, sandwiches, or other simple family meals.
How to Store and Freeze
- Refrigerator Storage: Store any leftover Creamy Cucumber Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. For the best crisp texture and freshest flavor, it is best enjoyed the same day it is prepared.
- Managing Moisture: As the salad sits, the cucumbers naturally release moisture, which can make the dressing thinner. Before serving leftovers, gently stir the salad to bring the dressing back together. If a large amount of liquid has collected at the bottom, you can carefully drain a little of it before mixing.
- Can You Freeze It?: I do not recommend freezing this salad. Cucumbers contain a lot of water and become soft and watery after thawing, while the sour cream dressing may separate and lose its smooth, creamy texture. This salad is best made fresh and kept chilled until serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of cucumber is best for creamy cucumber salad?
An English cucumber is the best choice because it has thin skin, small seeds, and a crisp texture. Regular cucumbers also work, but you may want to peel them and remove any large seeds.
Do I need to peel the cucumber?
No. English cucumbers have tender skin, so they can be sliced without peeling. Peel the cucumber if you prefer a softer texture or are using a variety with thicker skin.
Why does my cucumber salad become watery?
Cucumbers naturally release moisture after they are sliced and mixed with salt and dressing. For the best texture, serve the salad soon after preparing it. You can also gently drain any excess liquid before serving leftovers.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, but it is best prepared no more than a few hours before serving. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and stir it gently before bringing it to the table.
Can I add more herbs?
Absolutely. Dill gives the salad its classic flavor, while thinly sliced fresh basil adds a light summer note. Fresh parsley or chives would also work well.
Should creamy cucumber salad be served cold?
Yes. This salad tastes best cold or well chilled. You can serve it immediately when the ingredients are already cold or refrigerate it for 15-30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
Approximate values based on 2 servings:
- Calories: 275 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Total Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 21 mg
- Sodium: 45 mg, plus any salt added to taste
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on the brand of sour cream and the exact size of the cucumber.
Conclusion
This Creamy Cucumber Salad is fresh, crisp, and full of flavor, with tender cucumber slices, thin red onion, fragrant dill, and a smooth, tangy sour cream dressing. It takes only 10 minutes to prepare, requires no cooking, and makes a refreshing side dish for warm summer days, family meals, barbecues, or picnics.
Serve it immediately while the ingredients are cold and crisp, or chill it briefly to let the flavors come together. I especially love the final touch of fresh basil, which adds a light summer aroma and makes this simple salad feel extra special.
I hope you enjoy this easy Creamy Cucumber Salad as much as I do.
Happy cooking!
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
1. Prepare the vegetables
Wash the English cucumber thoroughly and slice it into thin, even rounds. Peel the red onion and slice it into very thin strips. Place the cucumber and onion in a large mixing bowl.2. Make the creamy dressing
In a separate bowl, combine the sour cream, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, dried dill, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the dressing is smooth and evenly combined.3. Combine the salad
Pour the sour cream dressing over the sliced cucumber and red onion. Gently toss until all the vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.4. Garnish and serve
Sprinkle the salad with thinly sliced fresh basil. Serve immediately while cold and crisp, or refrigerate for 15–30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- -English cucumbers work especially well because they have thin skin, small seeds, and a crisp texture.
- -There is no need to peel an English cucumber, but you may peel it if preferred.
- -If using fresh dill instead of dried dill, replace the dried dill with about 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill.
- -The salad can be served immediately when all the ingredients are already cold.
- -Cucumbers naturally release water as the salad sits, so the dressing may become thinner over time.
- -Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1–2 days.
- -Freezing is not recommended because the cucumbers become soft and watery, and the sour cream dressing may separate.