Creamy Cucumber Salad

Cool, crisp, and incredibly refreshing, this Creamy Cucumber Salad is one of those classic side dishes that never goes out of style. Thinly sliced English cucumbers and red onion are tossed in a creamy dill dressing that’s tangy, fresh, and comes together in just minutes. It’s the perfect side for backyard barbecues, potlucks, picnics, or an easy weeknight dinner.

Whether you’re serving burgers off the grill, smoked chicken, BBQ ribs, grilled steak, hot dogs, or your favorite sandwich, this cucumber salad adds a cool, creamy bite that pairs with just about everything.

Creamy cucumber salad with fresh dill and red onion ready to serve.

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Why You’ll Love This

We love this cucumber salad recipe because it’s one of those easy sides that go with just about anything, and somehow it always disappears before the main dish does.

Ready in about 15 minutes plus chilling time.
Crisp, cool, and refreshing.
Fresh dill adds bright garden flavor.
Perfect make-ahead side dish.
Great for cookouts, picnics, and potlucks.
Pairs well with grilled meats, sandwiches, and barbecue.

If you like quick and easy side dish recipes, try our Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Potatoes, Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms, Basmati Rice Risotto (Stick Of Butter Rice), and Summer Succotash.

Ingredients Needed

This salad doesn’t need anything fancy. Just a few fresh ingredients come together to make a cool, creamy side dish that’s been showing up on our table for as long as I can remember.

Sour cream – Creates the rich, creamy base of the sour cream dressing.
Mayonnaise – Adds extra creaminess and richness.
White wine vinegar – Gives the dressing a bright, tangy flavor.
Fresh dill – The star herb that gives the salad its classic taste.
Kosher salt – Enhances all the flavors.
Black pepper – Adds a mild kick.
English cucumbers – Crisp, tender, and nearly seedless. English cucumbers are ideal for this creamy dill cucumber salad because they have thin skins, very small seeds, and contain less water than standard slicing cucumbers. That means a creamier salad that stays fresh longer.
Red onion – Adds color and a little bite.

Ingredients for creamy cucumber salad including English cucumbers, red onion, sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh dill, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.

How To Make Creamy Cucumber Salad

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, chopped fresh dill, kosher salt, and black pepper until smooth. Set aside.

Sour cream, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, fresh dill, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl before whisking.

Creamy dill dressing whisked together for creamy cucumber salad.

Step 2: Thinly slice the English cucumbers and red onion. (A mandoline works perfectly for this step.) Place the sliced cucumbers in a single layer on paper towels and gently pat them dry. Removing some of the surface moisture helps keep the dressing thick, creamy, and flavorful rather than watery as the salad chills.

Thinly slicing English cucumbers for creamy cucumber salad.

Patting sliced cucumbers dry to remove excess moisture before mixing into the salad.

Step 3: Gently toss everything together until the cucumbers and onions are evenly coated.

Sliced cucumbers and red onion added to creamy dill dressing.

Step 4: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Stir before serving and garnish with a little extra fresh dill if desired.

Tossing cucumbers and red onion in a creamy dill dressing until evenly coated.

Tips

Slice the cucumbers as evenly as possible so they absorb the dressing uniformly.
A mandoline makes quick work of slicing the cucumbers and onions.
Some recipes recommend salting the cucumbers for 20 to 30 minutes before making the salad to draw out even more moisture. We find simply patting the cucumbers dry works well for this recipe, while keeping the preparation quick and easy.
For the best flavor, let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
If making it several hours ahead, give it a quick stir before serving since the cucumbers will release some moisture.
Fresh dill makes a noticeable difference over dried dill in this recipe. But if you can only find dried dill, I would start with 1 tablespoon and adjust to your preference.
Store leftover creamy cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Because cucumbers naturally release water, the dressing will thin a little. I don’t just stir everything together before serving. I add a little more sour cream, salt, and pepper.

Variations

Add crumbled feta cheese for extra flavor to this summer cucumber salad.
Toss in halved cherry tomatoes for color and sweetness.
Substitute plain Greek yogurt for some or all of the sour cream for a lighter version.
Sprinkle in a pinch of garlic powder or add a small grated garlic clove.
Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for extra brightness.

FAQs

Can I make creamy cucumber salad ahead of time?

Yes. It’s actually even better after chilling for 30 minutes up to an hour or two. The flavors blend beautifully. Do note the cucumbers will weep water, so don’t prepare too far in advance.

How long does creamy cucumber salad last?

Store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The cucumbers will continue releasing water, so season and stir before serving.

Do I need to peel English cucumbers?

No. English cucumbers have thin, tender skins that don’t need peeling.

Can I use regular cucumbers?

Yes, but you may want to peel them and remove the larger seeds before slicing.

More Fresh Salad Recipes

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Marinated Cauliflower Salad

Classic Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe

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