Looking for a quick and refreshing salad? Try this Creamy Cucumber Salad with under 10 ingredients! Made with crisp cucumbers and sour cream, simple, delicious, and a perfect side dish for any meal!
Cucumber salad is a classic dish that’s both refreshing and simple at the same time. While it can be made in many different ways, this recipe shines with the perfect blend of thinly sliced English cucumbers and purple onions combined with a creamy mixture of sour cream, fresh dill, vinegar, and just a hint of garlic. A touch of sweetness from granulated sugar complements the vibrant flavors, while a pinch of salt and pepper adds the perfect balance!
And it can be whipped up in no time! Start by mixing sour cream, fresh dill, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Thinly slice English cucumbers and purple onions, reserving some onion slices for garnish. Combine the creamy mixture with the cucumbers and onions, ensuring they're evenly coated. Garnish with the reserved onion slices, and your refreshing salad is ready to enjoy.
Creamy cucumber salad is great in the summer months when cucumbers are in season, but it’s also great as a side dish when you need something refreshing to cut through a hearty dish like Creamy Chicken Alfredo or Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes. No matter how you enjoy it, this easy cold salad is good to go with anything!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It's incredibly quick and easy, making it a perfect last-minute addition to any meal.
- The creamy dressing is the ideal balance of tangy and sweet, enhancing the freshness of the cucumbers.
- With just a handful of readily available ingredients, you can enjoy a crisp and flavorful salad, especially when cucumbers are in season.
- It's a versatile dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of mains or stands alone as a refreshing side dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- English Cucumbers - Provide a crisp and refreshing base for the salad, adding a pleasant crunch and a mild, watery texture that complements the creamy dressing.
- Purple Onion - Infuses a hint of sweet, pungent flavor and offers a colorful contrast to the green cucumbers, adding both taste and visual appeal.
- Sour Cream - Lends a rich, smooth texture and a tangy, slightly acidic flavor that balances the fresh ingredients in the salad.
- Fresh Dill - Contributes a burst of aromatic, herbal freshness, enhancing the overall taste and aroma of the salad with its vibrant, earthy notes.
- White Vinegar - Introduces a subtle tanginess that brightens the dressing and helps preserve the cucumber's crispness.
- Granulated Sugar - Adds a delicate sweetness that harmonizes with the other flavors, providing a contrast to the tangy elements of the salad.
- Minced Garlic - Infuses the dressing with a gentle but distinctive garlic flavor.
- Salt and Pepper - Bring balance to the dish by enhancing the overall flavor profile with a touch of seasoning and a hint of peppery warmth.
How To Make Creamy Cucumber Salad
Assemble the creamy dressing: In a small bowl, add sour cream, fresh dill, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix all the ingredients together until fully combined.
Cut the vegetables: Wash the cucumbers and cut off the ends. Thinly slice the English cucumbers and purple onion. Set aside a couple of slices of the purple onion to garnish the top of the salad with. Add the remaining slices to a medium-sized bowl.
Mix the salad: Pour the sour cream dressing mixture over the cucumbers and onions. Stir until the cucumbers are evenly coated with the sour cream mixture.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the remaining red onion slices on top. Serve cold, and Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- To maintain the salad's crispness, slice the English cucumbers thinly. Use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer for consistent results.
- If you find the taste of raw onion too strong, soak the purple onion slices in cold water for about 10 minutes before adding them to the salad. This will mellow their flavor.
- Ensure your dill is as fresh as possible for the best flavor.
- Adjust the amount of sugar to your taste. If you prefer a sweeter salad, add a bit more sugar, but start with the recommended amount and taste before adding extra.
- Let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to come together and the cucumbers to become even more crisp.
- Don't forget to stir the salad well before serving. This ensures that every cucumber and onion slice is coated evenly with the creamy dressing.
- Garnish with a few extra sprigs of fresh dill before serving for a visually appealing and aromatic touch.
Variations
- Add some crumbled feta cheese and a handful of pitted Kalamata olives to give your creamy cucumber salad a Mediterranean flair.
- For those who love a bit of heat, consider mixing in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or finely diced jalapeño peppers to the dressing. This adds a spicy zing that pairs wonderfully with the cool cucumbers.
- Experiment with different fresh herbs. Swap out the dill for cilantro, parsley, or basil to create unique flavor profiles.
- If you prefer a lighter option, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt. It offers a similar creamy texture but with a tangy twist.
- Enhance the texture by tossing in some toasted pine nuts, slivered almonds, or even croutons for an added crunch that takes the salad to the next level.
- Blend a ripe avocado into the dressing for a velvety avocado creaminess. It not only adds richness but also a beautiful green hue.
- Turn this salad into a heartier meal by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
Storage
To keep your creamy cucumber salad at its freshest, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It's best consumed within 1-2 days to maintain the cucumber's crispness and the salad's overall flavor. Before serving leftovers, give it a quick stir to redistribute the dressing and refresh the flavors.
Freezing is not recommended as fresh vegetables will lose their texture and become mushy when thawed.
FAQ
Yes, you can substitute regular cucumbers, but keep in mind that English cucumbers have thinner skin and fewer seeds, making them ideal for this salad. If using regular cucumbers, consider peeling and deseeding them for a similar result.
You can use dairy-free yogurt or sour cream alternatives made from almond, soy, or cashews to keep the creamy texture while making the salad vegan-friendly.
This salad benefits from a little time in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld. Prepare it a few hours or even the night before your event for the best results.
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Creamy Cucumber Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small bowl add sour cream, fresh dill, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix all the ingredients together.
- Thinly slice the English cucumbers, and purple onion. Set aside a couple of slices of the purple onion to garnish the top of the salad with. Add the remaining slices to a medium-sized bowl.
- Pour the sour cream mixture over the cucumbers and onions. Stir until the cucumbers are evenly coated with the sour cream mixture.
- Garnish the salad with the extra onion slices. Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- If you think raw onions are too overpowering, try soaking the purple onion slices in cold water for about 10 minutes before tossing them into your salad. It'll help mellow out their flavor.
- Let this salad chill in the fridge for a while to let the flavors mix together. It's best to make it a few hours or even the night before your event for the tastiest outcome.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
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