Creamy Cucumber Salad

Why Creamy Cucumber Salad Is the Perfect Summer Side

My mom would make this cucumber salad at least once a week all summer long because my brother and I would devour it every single time. Using Greek yogurt instead of mayo helps lighten it up, and I love how the honey balances the pungent red onion. So good!

• Light and refreshing. Crisp cucumbers are a summertime staple, not just because they’re grown in the summer, but because they’re super hydrating. They make this a refreshing, cooling salad.
• Easy to whip up. Everything comes together in about 10 minutes!
• A side for pairing with all your go-to summer foods. Creamy cucumber salad is the ideal side dish for backyard barbecues, picnics, potlucks, or weeknight dinners on the grill.

What You’ll Need

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this creamy cucumber salad. Scroll down to the recipe card for the exact measurements.

• Cucumbers – I use English cucumbers, but if you use garden cucumbers, you can cut them lengthwise and scoop out the seeds before slicing.
• Red onion – Adds a little bite to make things interesting. Because you’re slicing them thinly, the vinegar in the dressing will be able to soak in and mellow their flavor.
• Plain Greek yogurt – If you’re a traditionalist, you can swap this for sour cream or mayo.
• Vinegar – Adds bright, tangy flavor to the mix.
• Honey – Some creamy cucumber salads have a lot of sugar in the dressing, but I find that a touch of honey is all you really need.
• Fresh dill – A classic pairing with cucumbers! Fresh has a more vibrant flavor than dried.
• Lemon zest – Lemon zest is more aromatic and citrusy than lemon juice, and it doesn’t bring the tartness along with it. Finely grate it so it’s evenly distributed in the dressing.
• Salt – To bring it all together.

How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad

This recipe couldn’t be any easier to put together!

• Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, vinegar, honey, chopped dill, lemon zest, and salt. (Use a bowl with a spout if you have one!)
• Combine the vegetables. Add the cucumbers and red onions to a large bowl.
• Toss everything together. Pour the yogurt dressing over the cucumbers and onions and gently toss until everything is well coated.
• Let it rest. For the best flavor, let the salad sit for about 5 minutes so the cucumbers can soak up the dressing.

Tips for Making Cucumber Salad

This recipe is easy-peasy, but I have a few additional pointers to make it perfect.

• Slice the cucumbers thin. Thick, crunchy cukes just don’t bring the vibe we want in this salad. Using a mandoline slicer can help you get uniformly thin slices.
• Try other herbs. Dill is the classic, but mint would be excellent if you’re pairing this salad with Middle Eastern or Indian dishes, or add tarragon for something a little more unexpected.
• Don’t skip the resting time. Letting the salad sit for a few minutes helps the flavors meld together and the onions to lose their sharpness.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some of my favorite ways to serve this creamy cucumber salad:

• Alongside grilled chicken or salmon. This honey mustard baked salmon would be excellent too!
• As a fresh side for burgers or sandwiches. Try it with this keto bacon cheeseburger.
• Next to BBQ favorites like BBQ back ribs or pulled pork sandwiches.

Storage

Store this creamy cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving.