Creamy Cucumber Salad

This creamy cucumber salad with sour cream combines sliced cucumbers and onions in a tangy, slightly sweet creamy dressing. Even better, it can be whipped up in no time!

Simple vegetable salad recipes make an easy side for meals! Try this creamy pea pasta salad next or if you love cucumber recipes this cucumber and tomato salad is always a crowd-pleaser.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Dill Cucumber Salad

• So Simple. A few sliced vegetables combined with a homemade dressing is all it takes! This creamy cucumber onion salad makes an easy last-minute addition to any meal.
• Balanced Flavors. Sour cream gets a bit of tanginess from vinegar, some sweetness from sugar, and savory seasonings which perfect enhance the freshness of the cucumbers.
• Seasonal Cooking. Enjoy any time of year but this creamy cucumber dill salad is especially delicious with crisp summer cucumbers.

Ingredients

• English Cucumbers: These long, skinny cucumbers have a crisp texture, thin skin, and contain less water than regular cucumbers. Persian cucumbers make a great substitute as they are very similar. In a pinch you can use regular cucumbers but I recommend peeling them and mixing them right before serving as they do tend to expel more water when mixed with the dressing.
• Purple Onion: Crisp onions with a nice bite of flavor and texture make a colorful contrast to the cucumbers. You can substitute with yellow or white onions if you prefer.
• Sour Cream: The creamy base for the salad dressing with a bit of tanginess. Greek yogurt will work as well though the flight is slightly different.
• Fresh Dill and Minced Garlic: Fresh dill is best giving the salad vibrant, earthy notes while the fresh minced garlic deepens the savory flavors.
• White Vinegar: Enhances the flavor of the dressing with a bit of acidity to brighten the dressing.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances the acidity of the salad.

Be sure to check the recipe card further down the page for the full ingredient list and quantities of each one.

Variations

• Mediterranean Flavors. Add a handful of crumbled feta cheese, diced tomatoes, and some pitted Kalamata olives.
• Spicy Zing. Mix a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or finely diced jalapeño peppers into the dressing.
• Different Herbs. If you don't like dill or simply want to try something else, cilantro, parsley, or basil all work well.
• Add Nuts: Give the salad more crunch with some some toasted pine nuts, slivered almonds, or chopped walnuts.
• Add Avocado: Mash or blend a ripe avocado into the dressing for more creaminess.
• Dairy-Free: Swap the sour cream for a vegan sour cream or cashew cream.

How To Make Creamy Cucumber Salad

1. Step 1: Assemble the cucumber salad dressing. Add the sour cream, fresh dill, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper to a small bowl. Mix everything together until fully combined.
2. Step 2: Cut the vegetables. Wash the cucumbers and cut off the ends. Thinly slice the cucumbers and purple onion. Add the them to a medium-sized bowl keeping a few onions to the side for garnish.
3. Step 3: Toss together. Add the sour cream dressing mixture to the cucumbers and onions. Stir to evenly coat the the cucumbers with the sour cream mixture.
4. Step 4: Garnish and serve. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and top with the reserved red onion slices on top. Serve cold and enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Easier Slicing. Use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer for consistent results. The mandoline is a lot easier to slice evenly and it's quicker too.
• Onions 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.
• Adjust the Flavors. Add more sugar for a sweeter flavor and a bit more vinegar if you prefer it tangier. I like to start with the recipe as written and then adjust with a bit more sugar or vinegar to achieve the flavor I like.
• Chill First. If you have time give the salad time to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to come together. Be sure to stir again before serving.
• Garnish Ideas. Top the salad with fresh red onion slices and a few extra sprigs of fresh dill for an elegant touch.

Storage Tips

To keep your creamy dill cucumber salad at its freshest, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I suggest eating it within 1-2 days for the best flavor and texture. The cucumbers will continue to soften the longer they sit. Give it a quick stir to redistribute the dressing and refresh the flavors just before serving.

Freezing is not recommended as fresh vegetables will lose their texture and become mushy when thawed. 

Serving Suggestions

This cucumber dill salad goes with a variety of main dishes and other side dishes. It's the perfect for a cookout or backyard dinner along with my grilled teriyaki chicken, ribs, and even burgers.

For weeknight dinners, it makes a simple side for easy meals like these taco joes, glazed meatloaf, and puff pastry chicken pot pie. It's makes a light side dish for heartier meals like this chicken alfredo or these turkey sloppy joes.

No matter how you enjoy it, this easy creamy cucumber onion salad is good to go with anything! 

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