This creamy cucumber salad is cool, crisp, refreshing, and beautifully simple. Thinly sliced cucumbers are mixed with onion, fresh dill, garlic, lemon juice, and sour cream to create a light but flavorful side dish that works perfectly with grilled meat, roasted chicken, fish, potatoes, or a summer lunch.
π₯ Enjoy A Creamy Cucumber Salad That Feels Cool, Crisp And Perfectly Refreshing
As a chef, I always say this is one of those recipes where technique matters more than difficulty. The ingredients are simple, but the way you slice, season, drain, and dress the cucumbers makes the difference between a watery salad and a crisp, creamy, restaurant-style side dish.
πΏ Savour Each Bite Where Fresh Dill Meets Tender Cucumbers In A Silky Dressing
Recipe Overview
Prep time: 15 minutes
Resting time: 10β20 minutes optional
Cooking time: 0 minutes
Total time: 15β35 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: European-inspired
Course: Salad / Side Dish
β¨ Choose A Salad That Balances Light Crunch With Smooth, Tangy Sour Cream
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 680 g cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 50β70 g onion, red or yellow, thinly sliced
- 3 g fresh dill, finely chopped
For the Creamy Dressing
- 120 g sour cream
- 8 ml fresh lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated or minced, about 3 g
- 3β4 g salt, or to taste
- 1 g freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
π₯ Let The Lemon And Garlic Lift The Flavour Into Something Bright And Summery
Ingredient Notes
Cucumbers: Use fresh, firm cucumbers. If the skin is thin and tender, you can leave it on. If the skin is thick or bitter, peel the cucumbers fully or partially in stripes.
Onion: Red onion gives a sharper flavor and a beautiful color. Yellow onion is milder and softer. If you are cooking for someone who does not like strong onion flavor, soak the sliced onion in cold water for 5β10 minutes, then drain well.
Fresh dill: Fresh dill is highly recommended. Dried dill can be used in an emergency, but the flavor will be less bright. Use about 1 teaspoon dried dill instead of 1 tablespoon fresh.
Sour cream: Full-fat sour cream gives the best creamy texture. For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt or a mix of half sour cream and half yogurt.
Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens the dressing and balances the richness of the sour cream. Avoid bottled lemon juice if possible.
π₯ Make This Creamy Cucumber Bowl Your Go To Side For Warm Weather Meals
Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cucumbers
Wash the cucumbers well under cold running water. Dry them with a clean kitchen towel.
Slice the cucumbers into very thin rounds. The ideal thickness is about 2β3 mm. Thin slices absorb the dressing better and give the salad a delicate texture.
For the best result, use a mandoline slicer. If you are using a knife, take your time and keep the slices as even as possible. Uneven slices will soften at different speeds, and the salad will not feel as balanced.
Chefβs Secret
If your cucumbers are very watery, place the slices in a bowl, sprinkle with a small pinch of salt, and let them sit for 10β15 minutes. Then gently drain off the liquid and pat the cucumbers dry with paper towels.
This step is optional, but it is very useful if you want a thicker, creamier salad that does not become watery after a few minutes.
Step 2: Slice the Onion
Peel the onion and slice it as thinly as possible. Thin onion slices blend into the salad instead of overpowering it.
If the onion tastes too strong, place the slices in a small bowl of cold water for 5β10 minutes. Drain them very well before adding them to the cucumbers.
This simple trick softens the sharpness of raw onion while keeping its crunch.
πΏ Serve It Chilled And Watch The Fresh Aroma Bring Everyone To The Table
Step 3: Chop the Dill
Rinse the fresh dill and dry it well. Remove any thick stems, then finely chop the soft leaves.
Do not chop dill too far in advance. Fresh herbs lose aroma quickly once cut. For the brightest flavor, chop the dill shortly before mixing the dressing.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Dressing
In a small bowl, combine:
- sour cream
- lemon juice
- grated or minced garlic
- chopped dill
- salt
- black pepper
Mix until smooth and creamy.
Taste the dressing before adding it to the cucumbers. It should taste slightly stronger than you want the final salad to taste. Once mixed with cucumbers, the flavor will become milder because cucumbers contain a lot of water.
Chefβs Secret
Grate the garlic instead of chopping it. Grated garlic blends evenly into the dressing and gives a smoother flavor. Large pieces of raw garlic can taste too sharp, especially in a delicate creamy salad.
β¨ Keep This Recipe Close For Days When You Want Something Easy Yet Beautifully Fresh
Step 5: Combine the Cucumbers and Onion
Place the sliced cucumbers and onion in a large mixing bowl.
If you salted and drained the cucumbers earlier, make sure there is no excess liquid at the bottom of the bowl.
Gently toss the vegetables together with clean hands or two spoons. Be careful not to crush the cucumber slices.
Step 6: Add the Dressing Right Before Serving
Pour the sour cream dressing over the cucumbers and onion just before serving.
Toss gently until every slice is lightly coated. Do not overmix. Cucumbers are delicate, and too much mixing can make the salad watery.
Step 7: Taste and Adjust
Taste the salad and adjust if needed.
Add a little more salt if the flavor feels flat. Add a few drops of lemon juice if you want it brighter. Add more black pepper if you prefer a stronger finish.
Serve immediately while the cucumbers are crisp and fresh.
π₯ Enjoy A Salad That Feels Both Comfortingly Creamy And Naturally Light
How to Serve
This creamy cucumber salad is best served cold and freshly mixed.
It pairs beautifully with:
- grilled chicken
- roasted potatoes
- baked salmon
- pork chops
- barbecue dishes
- schnitzel
- rice or grain bowls
- fresh bread
For a beautiful presentation, serve it in a chilled bowl and finish with a little extra chopped dill on top.
π§ Let The Garlic Add A Soft Savoury Note That Complements Every Crunch
Storage
This salad is best eaten immediately after adding the dressing.
If you need to prepare it ahead, slice the cucumbers and onion, make the dressing separately, and store both in the refrigerator. Combine them only right before serving.
Refrigerator storage:
- Undressed cucumbers and onion: up to 24 hours
- Dressing: up to 2 days
- Fully mixed salad: best within 2β4 hours
The salad is still safe to eat later the same day, but it will become softer and more watery over time.
β¨ Choose This Dish When You Need A Quick Side That Still Feels Thoughtfully Made
π₯ Converted to U.S. Measurements
For the Salad
- 680 g cucumbers, thinly sliced β about 1.5 lbs cucumbers (β 3 large cucumbers)
- 50β70 g onion, thinly sliced β about 1/4β1/3 cup sliced onion (β 2β2.5 oz)
- 3 g fresh dill, finely chopped β about 1 tablespoon chopped dill
For the Creamy Dressing
- 120 g sour cream β 1/2 cup sour cream
- 8 ml fresh lemon juice β 1.5 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove (β 3 g), finely grated β 1 medium garlic clove
- 3β4 g salt β 1/2β3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 g black pepper
π₯ Share It At Picnics, Barbecues Or Family Dinners And Watch It Disappear Fast
Creamy Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream and Dill
Instructions
- Wash and dry the cucumbers, then slice them into thin rounds.
- Thinly slice the onion. If the onion is too strong, soak it in cold water for 5β10 minutes, then drain.
- In a small bowl, mix sour cream, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and black pepper.
- Place cucumbers and onion in a large bowl.
- Add the dressing just before serving.
- Toss gently until evenly coated.
- Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve immediately.
