The Ultimate Creamy Cucumber Salad: A Refreshing Dill and Red Onion Recipe for Any Occasion
Prepare to delight your taste buds with the ultimate creamy cucumber salad – a cool, crisp, and incredibly refreshing side dish perfect for any gathering. This recipe masterfully combines thinly sliced cucumbers and sharp red onions, all enveloped in a rich, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, and an abundance of fresh dill. It’s not just a salad; it’s a vibrant explosion of flavor and texture that instantly elevates summer cookouts, barbecues, potlucks, and even simple weeknight dinners.
Why This Creamy Cucumber Salad Will Be Your New Favorite
There’s something truly magical about a well-made creamy cucumber salad, and this particular recipe stands out for all the right reasons. It delivers a delightful balance of flavors and textures that tantalize the palate. The crisp, cool slices of cucumber provide a refreshing bite, perfectly complemented by the subtle crunch and mild pungency of red onion. The dressing itself is a masterpiece: sweet, tangy, and lusciously creamy, with the unmistakable burst of fresh dill permeating every spoonful.
This recipe isn’t just delicious; it’s incredibly practical. It’s a foundational dish for any summertime gathering, whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, a casual cookout, or simply firing up the grill for kabobs or other grilled meats. One of its greatest advantages is how quickly it comes together – a mere 10 minutes of active prep time is all you need. However, the secret to its unparalleled flavor lies in patience; allowing it to chill for at least two hours in the refrigerator gives the ingredients time to meld, deepen, and truly sing. This make-ahead capability makes it an ideal choice for entertaining, allowing you to focus on your main dishes without last-minute stress.
Beyond its incredible taste and convenience, this creamy cucumber salad offers a comforting familiarity while still feeling vibrant and fresh. It’s a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with a wide array of savory meals, cutting through richness with its bright, cooling presence. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself returning to again and again, year after year.
Craving a lighter, vinegar-based option? Explore our classic cucumber salad recipe for a different refreshing twist!
Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Cucumber Salad
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating this delectable salad. While the recipe is simple, the quality of your components will truly shine through. You’ll find all precise measurements, ingredient details, and comprehensive instructions in the printable recipe card located at the end of this post. However, let’s dive a bit deeper into what makes each ingredient crucial.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
- CUCUMBER: For this creamy salad, we highly recommend using English cucumbers. These varieties are often seedless or have very small, edible seeds, and boast a thinner skin that rarely needs peeling. More importantly, they contain less natural moisture compared to standard garden cucumbers, which helps prevent your dressing from becoming watery and diluted. If English cucumbers aren’t available, regular cucumbers can certainly be used, but you might want to consider deseeding them and lightly salting them to draw out excess moisture before mixing, then gently patting them dry. Alternatively, Persian cucumbers are also a great choice, offering a similar crisp texture and low water content.
- RED ONION: The red onion adds a beautiful color contrast, a pleasant crunch, and a mild, slightly sweet, and tangy flavor. Its sharpness mellows beautifully as it sits in the creamy dressing. If you find red onion too strong, you can soak the slices in ice water for 10-15 minutes before adding them to the salad to reduce their pungency, or opt for thinly sliced green onions or chives for a milder oniony note.
- MAYONNAISE: This is one of the pillars of the creamy dressing, providing richness and a smooth texture. Use a good quality full-fat mayonnaise for the best flavor and consistency. For a slightly lighter option, you could experiment with a light mayonnaise or even a blend of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, though this will alter the flavor profile slightly.
- SOUR CREAM: The other key player in our creamy base, sour cream adds a crucial tangy counterpoint to the richness of the mayonnaise and the sweetness of the sugar. Full-fat sour cream yields the best results, creating a luxuriously thick dressing. Plain Greek yogurt (full-fat) can be used as a substitute if you’re looking for an alternative with a similar tang and a bit more protein, but ensure it’s unflavored.
- FRESH CHOPPED DILL: This herb is non-negotiable for an authentic creamy cucumber salad! Fresh dill provides a unique, aromatic, and slightly anissy flavor that defines this dish. Dried dill simply won’t offer the same vibrant freshness. Be generous with it – it makes all the difference. If you’re out of fresh dill, you could try a tiny bit of fresh parsley or chives for a fresh green note, but the classic flavor will be missed.
- GRANULATED SUGAR: A touch of sugar is vital for balancing the acidity from the sour cream, pickle juice, and vinegar. It rounds out the flavors and adds a subtle sweetness that makes the salad so addictive. Adjust the amount to your preference – a little more for a sweeter salad, a little less for a tangier one.
- BLACK PEPPER: Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle warmth and depth. Adjust to your taste.
- PICKLE JUICE: This might seem like an unusual addition, but a tablespoon of pickle juice is a fantastic secret ingredient! It introduces an extra layer of briny tang and complexity that really brightens the whole salad. Don’t skip it if you have it! If not, a little extra white vinegar can work in a pinch.
- WHITE VINEGAR: White vinegar contributes a clean, sharp acidity that cuts through the creaminess and enhances the freshness of the vegetables. Apple cider vinegar could be used as a mild substitute, but white vinegar is preferred for its crisp, neutral profile.
Crafting Your Creamy Cucumber Salad: Step-by-Step
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to guide you visually through the process of making this delightful creamy cucumber salad. For a printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and comprehensive instructions, simply jump to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Begin by combining your freshly sliced English cucumbers and thinly sliced red onion in a large mixing bowl. Ensure they are evenly distributed, forming the base of your salad.
- Whip Up the Dressing: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients: mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh chopped dill, granulated sugar, black pepper, pickle juice, and white vinegar. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth, well combined, and beautifully creamy. The goal is a uniform consistency that will generously coat your vegetables.
- Combine and Coat: Gently pour the prepared creamy dressing over the cucumbers and red onions. Using a spoon or a rubber spatula, carefully fold the dressing into the vegetables until every slice is thoroughly coated. Be gentle to avoid bruising the delicate cucumber slices.
- Chill for Flavor Development: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate for a minimum of two hours. This chilling period is crucial as it allows the flavors to fully meld together, enhancing the overall taste and allowing the cucumbers to absorb some of the dressing’s deliciousness. The longer it chills, the better it tastes!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for the Perfect Salad
Once prepared, any leftover creamy cucumber salad should be stored in an airtight container and kept refrigerated. It will maintain its delicious flavor and crispness for up to 4 days. While it might slightly soften over time, the flavors often deepen, making it a great leftover to enjoy!
Absolutely, making this salad in advance is highly recommended! In fact, it’s essential to plan for at least two hours of chilling time for the flavors to properly meld and develop. You can easily prepare it the night before you plan on serving it. Simply assemble the salad, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or an airtight lid, and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. This makes it a perfect, stress-free side for entertaining.
Cucumbers naturally contain a lot of water, which can dilute your dressing over time. To minimize this, we recommend using English or Persian cucumbers, as they have lower water content. If you’re using regular garden cucumbers, consider these steps: peel and slice them, then lightly salt them and let them sit in a colander for 20-30 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Gently squeeze out any remaining liquid or pat them very dry with paper towels before adding them to the dressing. This extra step makes a big difference in maintaining a thick, creamy dressing.
While delicious as is, this creamy cucumber salad is also wonderfully versatile. Consider adding a handful of fresh cherry tomatoes, halved, for extra color and sweetness. Diced bell peppers (red or yellow) can add another layer of crunch and flavor. For a more substantial side, cooked and cooled pasta, a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese, or even some leftover shredded chicken can turn this into a light meal. A dash of paprika or a pinch of garlic powder can also enhance the dressing’s depth.
For the best texture, aim for thin, even slices of cucumber. A mandoline slicer is excellent for achieving uniform thinness quickly and safely (use a guard!). If you don’t have a mandoline, a sharp knife and a steady hand will work perfectly. Thin slices ensure that the cucumbers absorb the dressing well and integrate seamlessly into the salad’s creamy texture, offering a refreshing crispness without being too bulky.
Perfect Pairings: How to Serve Your Creamy Cucumber Salad
This creamy cucumber salad is incredibly versatile and makes an excellent accompaniment to a wide variety of meals. Garnish with a sprinkle of extra fresh chopped dill just before serving for an added touch of freshness and visual appeal. It shines brightly alongside classic cookout and potluck fare such as juicy burgers, savory brats, grilled hot dogs, flavorful skewers, or any of your favorite grilled meats. Its cool, tangy profile provides a wonderful contrast to rich, smoky flavors. However, its appeal isn’t limited to barbecues; it can easily be served as a refreshing side to a simple baked chicken breast, pan-seared fish, or even a hearty sandwich for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal. Consider it a staple for balancing rich flavors and adding a delightful crunch to almost any plate.
More Refreshing Side Salad Recipes You’ll Love
- Sweet and Savory Corn Salad
- Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon
- Refreshing Watermelon Salad with Feta
- Classic Italian Pasta Salad
- Mom’s Best Creamy Potato Salad
- Vibrant Tomato Cucumber Salad with Feta
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Creamy Cucumber Salad
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 16 ounce English cucumber sliced
- 1 cup sliced red onion
Dressing
- 3 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons fresh chopped dill
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1 Tablespoon pickle juice
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
Things You’ll Need
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Large mixing bowl
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Whisk
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Rubber spatula
Before You Begin
- We prefer English cucumbers as they have fewer natural juices than regular cucumbers, which can thin out your dressing. However, regular cucumber can certainly be used, but consider salting and draining them first to reduce water content.
- Plan to make this salad at minimum 2 hours in advance or you can prepare it the night before you plan on serving. Prepping it at least two hours ahead of time will let the flavors meld together beautifully. Store it covered with plastic wrap or an air-tight lid in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Instructions
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Combine cucumber and onion in a large bowl.
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In a medium bowl whisk together all dressing ingredients.
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Using a spoon or rubber spatula, fold the dressing into the cucumber and onion.
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Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for at least two hours to allow flavors to meld.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.