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My Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe Brings All The Nostalgic Vibes
I’ve been loving this creamy cucumber salad since before I even liked most salads. My mom, both my grandmas, even my extended family made it. They all had their own versions, but the combination of crisp cucumbers with rich sour cream and bright dill was always there. And here’s why I’ve made my own version for the last 10-ish years:
- Cool, crunchy contrast of textures and flavors – The crispness of the cucumbers, the sharp bite of red onions, the herby dill, the creamy dressing. I may be biased because in my Eastern European culture we put sour cream on… pretty much everything (ha!) — but I seriously think the creamy herb dressing makes this cucumber dill salad.
- Fresh, simple ingredients – A couple fresh basics, a handful of pantry staples. If you want to get “fancy” (not really), throw in some radishes and turn it into my radish salad.
- Fast and easy – Just around 10 minutes. You can even make it ahead if you like.
- Versatile – This is certainly the ultimate summer dish, but my mom made it year round, and so do I. Grilling steaks or burgers for a cookout? Make this cucumber salad with sour cream. Need an easy holiday side? It was always on our table. Having a picnic or potluck? Bring it along. Regular weeknight? It’s here for you.
This salad is nostalgic for me, but not just me! So many readers have told me they have memories of creamy cucumber salad recipes, whether German, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, or even American. Maybe you grew up eating it, too? And even if you didn’t, make it with me and see why we all did!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my creamy cucumber salad recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Fresh Cucumbers – Fresh ones from the farmers’ market are hands down the best (they remind me of the fresh garden cucumbers from my grandma’s “dacha”), but of course store-bought work. I don’t peel them because I like the nutrients in the skin and extra crunch. See my tips below for more notes about the cukes.
- Onion – I like the sharpness (and secretly, the color contrast) of red onions here. Feel free to use a white, yellow, or sweet onion for milder sweetness.
- Sour Cream – The creamy base, and the only way I make it. But if you need alternatives, you can substitute mayo (with a splash of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for tang), or plain Greek yogurt, as I’ve done this in other salads.
- Fresh Dill – There’s nothing quite like fresh, aromatic dill in this creamy cucumber salad. If you need a substitute, my closest recommendation would be fresh chives, or maybe parsley. I really don’t recommend dried herbs here, but if you must, use only a teaspoon because they are more concentrated than fresh herbs.
- Olive Oil – I use this to thin out the dressing just a bit. Any neutral oil is fine.
- Lemon Juice – Although fresh lemons taste best, you can use bottled lemon juice or vinegar if you need to.
- Seasonings – I don’t often see this in cucumber dill salad, but I like garlic powder in mine. Feel free to skip it, but don’t skip the salt and pepper!
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How To Make Creamy Cucumber Salad
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Make the dressing. In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, fresh dill, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Toss together. Add the sliced cucumbers and onions, and toss to coat. Serve immediately, or refrigerate the mixture for half an hour to let flavors develop.
My Recipe Tips
- Persian cucumbers taste the best. I always get these mini cucumbers for their sweetness, tender skin, very few seeds, and easier chopping (just slice). The next best would be English cucumbers, though I recommend cutting those into half moons because they’re large. Avoid American cucumbers if you can — they have thick skin and are kind of tasteless, so they’ll make your creamy cucumber salad kind of tasteless, too.
- Thin slices have a better texture. This applies to the cucumbers too, but for the onions especially, thin half moons prevent them from overpowering everything else.
- For even thinner slices, use a mandoline slicer. I have this one and it makes slicing so fast.
- Drain the cucumbers in a colander if you’re making the salad ahead. I usually skip this when I’ll be serving it within 30 minutes, but draining makes the salad less watery if you don’t eat it right away. Simply place the cucumbers in a colander over the sink, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 15-30 minutes. Pat dry with a paper towel, then proceed with my creamy cucumber salad recipe.
- Feel free to use 2 bowls if you prefer. I’m always looking for ways to have fewer dirty dishes, so I mix the dressing in my salad bowl first, then add the cucumbers and onions. You can totally whisk the dressing in a smaller bowl and pour it on top your salad for easier mixing, though.
- Have extra cucumbers to use up? Toss them into my quick cucumber soup!
- Want a lighter version without the creamy dressing? My cucumber onion salad is perfect for that.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
By
Make my easy, creamy cucumber salad recipe with sour cream, dill, lemon, and onions. It's crisp, refreshing, and ready in 10 minutes!
Instructions
[ See step photos See my tips ]Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, dill, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
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Stir in the sliced cucumbers and red onions.
Did you make it? Leave a review or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best flavor and texture in your creamy cucumber salad, how to make it ahead, and more.
- Storage: Cover and store your creamy cucumber salad in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. It does get watery over time and the cucumbers soften a bit, but in my opinion it’s still delicious.
- Meal prep: Although you can whip up the salad in advance and store it, for meal prep I prefer to keep the sliced cucumbers and onions separately from the dressing. Just toss together right before serving.
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I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
Serving Ideas
I make this creamy cucumber salad for literally any occasion, from cookouts and potlucks to weeknights and holidays. So, what it goes with has just as much variety:
- Grilled Dishes – This salad goes with virtually any of my healthy grilling recipes! Everyone seems to love it with juicy burgers or grilled chicken breast, but my personal faves are chicken kabobs and grilled salmon.
- Chicken – Keep weeknights simple with my crispy air fryer chicken wings, chicken leg quarters, or cast iron chicken thighs. If you want something more interesting, try my spinach stuffed chicken (more creaminess alert!) or garlic butter chicken bites.
- Beef – Even though it’s not a classic side, I think my creamy cucumber salad tastes refreshing with a sirloin steak, filet mignon, or New York strip. For comfort food inspired by the same region, try my stuffed cabbage rolls.
- Pork Or Lamb – If my cucumber salad with sour cream brings back nostalgic vibes for you, chances are my kielbasa and sauerkraut might do the same. Otherwise, just throw together some quick seared pork chops or lamb shoulder chops.
More Cucumber Salad Recipes
If you like this cucumber dill salad, change it up next time with one of my others starring this crisp vegetable:
200 Comments
Nellie Doughty
0So easy and so fresh and delish!
Ellie Rhoades
0I need to make enough for 20-30 people for a potluck. Can you give me how much ingredients I need.
Thank you
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Ellie, You can change the number of servings on the recipe card to 20 or 30 and the amounts of the other ingredients will automatically update.
Gwen
0Instead of sour cream I substituted labne which is a bit more lemony. This was an easy quick side dish that I will make again!
Dorthea
0Would love adding a protein to it like grilled chicken.
Radwa
0So delicious and goes well with any side dish! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Sabina
0Great recipe and easy do make.
Shane
0Absolutely delicious and refreshing! I’m going to make this again this weekend!
Elizabeth
0Always love this recipe! Very refreshing on a hot summer day. Just want to ask if I can use lemon flavored greek yogurt for this recipe? thank you
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Elizabeth, I don’t recommend using sweetened yogurt for this recipe.
Kristin
0This is a great recipe and perfect for summer. I plan to bring this to all the barbecues I attend this year! It’s delicious and easy to make and my family loves it.
Emy
0Kinda different from what I usually make but I’m glad I tried! It’s refreshing and so delicious! I love that it is so creamy.
Debbie
0My husband loves this salad. He can eat the whole thing. When I make this he says “you do love me!”
Shirley
0hahaha mine says same to me! course, I don like cucumbers or pickles! So its a recipe of love….
Cheryl
0My husband who is a very picky eater loves this side dish. I have also taken it to potlucks and it has been a hit.
Remy
0I tried this recipe. It was great but instead of sour cream I used plain yogurt and hot honey. It was great thanks for the recipe.
charlotte knoche
0An expanded recipe of how I usually make Cucumber Salad. Absolutely delicious.
Lisa
0A tasty way to use up cucumbers.
Ann Gobel
0This dish is delicious and so simple. It goes with any meat you like!
Jeannette
0Love this salad! Absolutely delicious.
Carol
0Excellent! Full of flavor and quick to make. Tu!
Leona
0Very delicious, everyone enjoyed it with the chicken dinner. Will make again
Jean Hofve
0This is a fabulous recipe! I loved it just with cucumbers and onion, but the next day I added mushroom pieces and black olive slices to make it more of a meal. Superb!
Melanie
0This recipe is delicious. The only thing I did a little differently is add a splash of white vinegar. We loved it and will definitely make this again.