Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad is the ultimate quick summer side. After making this dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping cucumbers crisp: don’t over-dress. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Try this with my Burnt Basque Cheesecake Recipe and Pair with my Sweet and Tangy Cranberry Meatballs for an easy dinner.
Why This Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides Is Pure Comfort
- Crisp cucumbers in every bite
- Creamy, tangy dressing that's better than takeout
- Easy to make ahead for cookouts
- Pairs perfectly with grilled meats and veggies
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 white vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- salt
- black pepper
- sugar
- Optional: fresh dill, chopped
- Optional: red onion, thinly sliced
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- cucumber: Use a large cucumber for the best texture.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Ensures perfectly even cucumber slices for better texture. → See on Amazon
- Measuring Spoons Set — Accurate measurements for consistent results. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
- Prepare Cucumber: Slice cucumber thinly using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Place in a colander and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt. Let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture.
- Make Dressing: In a bowl, mix sour cream, vinegar, sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, and black pepper.
- Combine: Rinse cucumber slices and pat dry. Toss with dressing and fresh dill. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
- : Don't over-dress the cucumbers to keep them crisp.
- Common mistake and fix: If cucumbers become soggy, pat dry and add more salt to draw out moisture.
- : Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- : Add thinly sliced red onion for extra flavor and crunch.
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: Yes, make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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 spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If cucumbers become soggy, pat dry and add more salt to draw out moisture.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Cucumber Slicer — Ensures perfectly even slices for better texture and presentation. → 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 white vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Seasonings
- salt
- black pepper
- sugar
Optional Toppings
- fresh dill, chopped
- red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare Cucumber: Slice cucumber thinly using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Place in a colander and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt. Let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture.
- Make Dressing: In a bowl, mix sour cream, vinegar, sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, and black pepper.
- Combine: Rinse cucumber slices and pat dry. Toss with dressing and fresh dill. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If cucumbers become soggy, pat dry and add more salt to draw out moisture.
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: Yes, make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 50
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
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, make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cucumbers may soften slightly but will still be crisp and delicious.
Over-dressing the cucumbers can cause them to become soggy. Make sure to pat them dry and not add too much dressing.
No, freezing will cause the cucumbers to become mushy and the dressing to separate.
No, the air fryer is not suitable for making cucumber salad.
Greek yogurt is the best substitute for sour cream in this recipe. It provides a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture.
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!
