Creamy Cucumber Salad

Name: Creamy Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: ½ cup sour cream; 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill; 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional); ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and pepper; 2 large English cucumbers (thinly sliced); ¼ red onion (thinly sliced)

Yumna Jawad
June 1, 2022 Updated August 31, 2022

5 from 739 votes

Creamy cucumber salad made with fresh dill, sour cream, and onions! This summer salad is ready in 5 minutes and is perfect for BBQs and picnics!

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This creamy cucumber salad is light, refreshing, and oh so creamy! Tangy sour cream, a splash of red wine vinegar, fresh dill, garlic, and red onions make this cucumber salad irresistible.

Summertime is the perfect time for picnics and outdoor barbecues. And what better way to celebrate the warm weather than with a delicious cucumber salad? This recipe is easy to make and takes only five minutes to prepare. It’s perfect for potlucks, parties, or any other summer gathering. So gather your ingredients, and let’s get started!

why you’ll love this cucumber salad with sour cream

Tart and refreshing. The combination of sour cream, vinegar, and dill gives this cucumber salad a tangy flavor that is perfectly balanced by the neutral flavor of the cucumber and red onions.
Easy to make. This recipe comes together quickly and doesn’t require any cooking. Simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, and you’re done!
Crowd pleaser. This salad is always a hit at potlucks and parties. Whether you’re serving it to family, friends, or strangers, everyone will love it!
Can be eaten as a snack. This salad is light and refreshing, making it the perfect snack or side dish. It’s also a great way to get your daily dose of veggies!

Ingredients to make creamy cucumber and onion salad

Cucumbers: I like to use English cucumbers because they’re thinner and have fewer seeds than regular cucumbers. However, you can use whatever type of cucumber you have on hand, like Persian cucumbers.
Red onions: I prefer to use red onions in this salad because they’re slightly sweeter than white or yellow onions. However, you can use whatever type of onion you have on hand.
Sour cream: You’ll need about ½ cup of sour cream for this recipe. I like to use full-fat sour cream, but you can use light or non-fat if you’re watching your calories.
Dill: Fresh dill is best, but you can also use dried dill if that’s all you have.
Red wine vinegar: Adds another layer of flavor to the salad.
Seasoning: A little bit of sugar to balance the acidity, garlic powder, salt, and pepper is all you need to season this cucumber salad.

ingredients to make the creamy salad: 2 english cucumbers, seasonings, fresh dill, red onion, sour cream, and red wine vinegar

How to make A Creamy Cucumber Salad

In a medium bowl, add the sour cream, vinegar, dill, sugar, and garlic powder.
Mix until well combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Add the sliced cucumbers and red onions on top of the sour cream dressing.
Gently fold the sour cream and cucumbers together until well combined.

4 image collage of how to make creamy dressing for cucumber salad and tossing in the cucumbers and red onions

Tips for making creamy cucumber dill salad

Thinly slice your cucumbers and onions. To get even slices, I recommend using a mandoline or even a vegetable peeler. If you don’t have one, you can also use a sharp knife.
Use fresh dill. Fresh dill has a much better flavor than dried dill. If you can’t find fresh dill, you can use dried, but you’ll need to use less since it’s more potent.
Taste as you go. Be sure to taste the salad before serving and adjust the seasoning as necessary. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or vinegar, depending on your preferences.
Serve immediately. This salad is best served immediately after it’s made. If you let it sit for too long, the cucumbers will release water and make the salad soggy.

popular substitutions & additions

Use mayo or greek yogurt instead of sour cream. If you’re not a fan of sour cream, you can use mayonnaise or even greek yogurt instead. I recommend using ½ cup of either for this recipe.
Make it vegan. If you prefer not to use any dairy in this recipe, you can make this with plain unsweetened coconut yogurt or almond yogurt.
Add in some chopped herbs. If you want to add more flavor to the salad, try adding in some chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives.
Make it spicier with a pinch of cayenne. For a little bit of heat, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the salad.
Add in some diced avocado. Avocado is a great addition to this salad because it adds creaminess and healthy fats.

what to serve with your easy creamy cucumber salad

how to store cucumber salad with sour cream

Cucumber salad is best served immediately after it’s made. The cucumbers will start to leech water shortly after the salad is made.

how long will cucumber salad last in the fridge?

If you do have leftovers you want to store, they will last about 24-48 hours in the fridge. You can drain off the excess liquid or mix it in.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make cucumber salad ahead of time?

I would not recommend making cucumber salad more than an hour in advance as the cucumbers will start to release water, and the salad will become soggy.

How do you keep cucumber salad from getting watery?

Cucumbers are around 90% water making it near impossible to keep them from getting watery. You can sprinkle some salt directly on your cut cucumbers and place them in a colander for 30 or so minutes to help draw out some of the water.

Do I need to peel the cucumbers before adding them to the salad?

Nope! You can leave the cucumbers unpeeled if you’d like. I personally prefer to leave them unpeeled because it saves time, and I like the look of the green peel in the salad. Plus, the skin is full of nutrients.

spoon grabbing a bite from a bowl of cucumber salad

Creamy cucumber salad is a quick and easy side dish that’s perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks, and picnics. This salad is made with thin slices of cucumber, red onion, sour cream, dill, and a few simple seasonings. Whether you’re looking for a healthy side dish or a simple summer salad, this creamy cucumber salad is the perfect recipe for you!

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