Cucumber Salad made with a simple sour cream dill dressing is the perfect easy side to your next meal!
Cucumber salad is one of my favorite side dishes. Whether we’re enjoying it on a hot summer evening or if I’m just channeling summer vibes, it’s always a big hit. Enjoy your creamy cucumber salad with barbecue pulled pork, one pot mac and cheese, & a slice of key lime pie!
Cucumber Salad
Cucumber Salad {With Creamy Dill Dressing}
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Cucumber Salad Ingredients
- Cucumber – My preference for this recipe is an English cucumber as they don’t tend to be coated in wax (which is why you’ll often find them wrapped tightly in plastic). That said, you can make a creamy cucumber salad with whatever type of cucumber you have on hand!
- Radish – This ingredient is optional, but I love the bright color and snap of peppery flavor it adds to the dish.
- Sour cream – We use full fat sour cream in our recipe, but if you are watching fat or calories, it can also be prepared with lower fat sour cream, or even with Greek yogurt.
- Dill – You will need fresh dill weed for this recipe. I do not suggest making this cucumber salad recipe with dried dill or dill seed.
- Lemon juice – Again, you’ll want fresh lemon juice. Because it’s such a stand out flavor in the dish, try not to use bottled lemon juice as it may compromise the flavor.
- Garlic salt – Having tried this recipe with both fresh garlic and garlic salt, I can say it turns out better with garlic salt. Fresh garlic is too overpowering and creates an unpleasant bite due to the rawness. Definitely stick with garlic salt (or garlic powder).
- Black pepper – Just a pinch of black pepper at the end gives a great finishing note to the salad. If you want a more mild pepper flavor, try white pepper.
How Do You Make Cucumber Salad
⭐ First, thinly slice the cucumbers and dice the radishes. Add them to a large bowl.
⭐ Next, in a smaller bowl, whisk together the sour cream, lemon juice, garlic salt, pepper, and minced dill weed.
⭐ Finally, pour dill dressing over cucumbers and mix well.
Preparation
Can You Make Cucumber Salad Ahead of Time?
You can make our creamy cucumber salad ahead of time, but we strongly suggest not mixing the dressing into the cucumbers until immediately before serving.
If you need to mix it all ahead of time, make sure to sweat the cucumbers first so they don’t release too much liquid into the salad while it sits.
How Do You Sweat Cucumbers?
You can sweat cucumbers to release excess moisture by putting them in a colander or strainer after they’ve been sliced, and then tossing them with with a little bit of salt.
Allow the salt to draw the moisture out for about 20 minutes. Then rinse and pat dry.
How Do You Keep Cucumbers Fresh After Cutting Them?
Cucumbers will stay fresh longer after cutting them if they are sweated before storing. You can also put a folded paper towel under the sliced cucumbers to draw away excess moisture. Be sure to refrigerate your cut cucumbers for best results.
I do not typically do anything other than store the slices in the refrigerator in a sealed container if I plan to use them in less than 24 hours.
Serving and Storing
How Long Can Cucumber Salad Sit Out?
Cucumber salad should not sit out at room temperature for more than two hours according to the USDA. Any longer than that and you risk dangerous bacteria growing on the food.
Leftovers
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator. If possible, store the sliced cucumbers and dill dressing separately. Leftovers will stay good in the refrigerator for 2 -3 days. Any longer than that and they will begin to get runny unappetizing.
Tips and Tricks
🥣 Wait to mix the cucumbers and dressing until immediately before serving for best results.
🥛 Try swapping the sour cream for unsweetened Greek yogurt for a lower calorie and protein filled version.
🥒 If you’re unable to find English cucumbers, make sure to peel the waxy skin off your cucumbers before slicing.
Complete this meal with our serving suggestions
Last week I served this with our easy turkey meatloaf recipe, and some oven roasted cauliflower rice. We rounded things out with a dip in the pool and then big helpings of tropical fruit salad. It would also be delicious alongside some easy scalloped potatoes and ham, tater tot casserole recipe, or ribs made in the instant pot and lemon bars for dessert!
More Side Dish Salads
- Brussel Sprout Salad
- Tuna Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Italian pasta salad recipe
- Broccoli Slaw
- Egg Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Corn and Tomato Salad
- See all our side dish ideas!
More Cucumber Recipes
- Japanese Cucumber Salad
- Refrigerator Pickles
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Spicy Pickles Recipe
- Gazpacho Soup
- See all our cucumber recipes!
Suggested Tools
- Santuko knife – My favorite knife for cutting vegetables! This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced. Also, I just love that it’s fun and colorful!
- Mandolin slicer – Make pickle slices, or scalloped potatoes. French fries, and shaved onion. You won’t get a better or quicker thin slice than with this mandolin. Just make sure to use the safety guard, no one *actually* wants a knuckle sandwich!
- End grain cutting board – This is my absolute favorite cutting board and the one that I get the most compliments on. And p.s. I have a lot of cutting boards. It really is absolutely stunning, and knows how to take a beating. We use it every single day!
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How to Make Cucumber Salad
Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 6 cups thinly sliced cucumber
- 1/3 cup finely diced radish optional
- 16 oz sour cream
- 1/2 cup fresh minced dill
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic salt
- pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Slice cucumbers to desired thickness (we like them very thin), mince radish and fresh dill.
- Ina small bowl, whisk together sour cream, lemon juice, garlic salt, pepper, and dill.
- In a larger bowl, mix everything together. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
If you love summer salads, try our easy potato salad or tuna pasta salad recipe!
Cucumber Salad {With Creamy Dill Dressing}
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Recipe FAQS
Can You Make Cucumber Salad Ahead of Time?
You can prepare cucumber salad ahead of time, but don't mix the dressing into the cucumbers until you are ready to serve.
How do you sweat cucumbers?
Sweat cucumbers by putting them in a strainer after they've been sliced, and then tossing them with with a little bit of salt.
How Do You Keep Cucumbers Fresh After Cutting Them?
Cucumbers will stay fresh longer after cutting them if they are sweated before storing.
Mallory Lanz says
I’ve never been a cucumber lover, but this salad has me loving them.
Lori says
On tonight’s menu- thank you!
Julie says
This looks so refreshing and delicious! Perfect addition to our BBQ tonight!
Laura Reese says
Looks like perfect summer recipes.
Becky Hardin says
Such a light and refreshing salad.
Ernest says
Nice as usual nice to be back
Christine Schaefer says
This tastes exactly like my mother’s! Excellent!! Only thing that I changed was that I used the long English cucumber.