Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad is the perfect side dish for summer cookouts. After making this dozens of times, I’ve mastered the creamy, tangy dressing that makes this salad irresistible. The secret is letting the cucumbers marinate in the dressing for at least 30 minutes. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes and Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese.
Why This Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides Is Pure Comfort
- Light and refreshing
- Easy to make ahead
- Perfect for summer cookouts
- 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 cucumber
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- Optional: Crumbled feta cheese
- Optional: Toasted almond slivers
📝 Ingredient Notes
- cucumber: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice cucumber thinly.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Ensures perfectly thin cucumber slices for better texture. → See on Amazon
- Sharp Kitchen Knife — A sharp knife makes slicing cucumbers easier and safer. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
- Prepare cucumbers: Thinly slice cucumber and place in a colander. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and toss to coat. Let sit for 30 minutes to draw out moisture.
- Make dressing: In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, apple cider vinegar, honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and black pepper.
- Combine: Rinse and pat dry cucumbers. Add to dressing along with dill and red onion. Toss to coat.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
- : For a lower-carb version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't skip salting the cucumbers. This helps remove excess water and prevents a soggy salad.
- : Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- : Add crumbled feta or toasted almonds for extra crunch and protein.
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.
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 lower-carb version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Best substitution: Substitute red onion with thinly sliced shallot or green onion.
- Make-ahead: Prepare up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge and toss before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If salad is too watery, drain and pat dry cucumbers before serving.
Want to level up this recipe?
Salad Spinner — Quickly and easily removes excess water from salad greens and vegetables. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Optional Toppings
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Toasted almond slivers
Instructions
- Prepare cucumbers: Thinly slice cucumber and place in a colander. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and toss to coat. Let sit for 30 minutes to draw out moisture.
- Make dressing: In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, apple cider vinegar, honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and black pepper.
- Combine: Rinse and pat dry cucumbers. Add to dressing along with dill and red onion. Toss to coat.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lower-carb version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Best substitution: Substitute red onion with thinly sliced shallot or green onion.
- Make-ahead: Prepare up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge and toss before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If salad is too watery, drain and pat dry cucumbers 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.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 80
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sat. Fat: 3.5g
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, prepare up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge and toss before serving.
Draining and patting dry the cucumbers before serving can help reduce excess water.
No, freezing will cause the cucumbers to become mushy.
Yes, this salad is low in calories and high in water and fiber content.
Pair with grilled meats, like Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes, or Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese.
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!
