admin1 Creamy Cucumber Salad (Very Detailed Recipe)
This creamy cucumber salad is cool, refreshing, and packed with flavor. Thinly sliced cucumbers are combined with a rich, tangy dressing made from sour cream, herbs, and seasonings. It’s an excellent side dish for grilled meats, barbecue meals, sandwiches, or summer gatherings.
Yield
- Servings: 6–8
- Preparation Time: 25 minutes
- Chilling Time: 1–2 hours
- Total Time: About 2 hours
Ingredients
For the Cucumbers
- 4 large cucumbers (about 1.2–1.5 kg total)
- 1 tablespoon salt (for drawing out excess moisture)
- 1 medium red onion, very thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Optional Additions
- 1 small carrot, grated
- 2 radishes, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- Freshly cracked black pepper
For the Creamy Dressing
- 1 cup (240 g) sour cream
- ½ cup (120 g) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced into a paste
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
Choosing the Best Cucumbers
For the best texture and flavor, use:
- English cucumbers – thin skin, few seeds, crisp texture.
- Persian cucumbers – small, sweet, and crunchy.
- Garden cucumbers – peel partially if the skin is thick.
Avoid overly mature cucumbers with large seeds because they release excessive water and can dilute the dressing.
Step 1: Prepare the Cucumbers
Wash the cucumbers thoroughly under cool running water.
You may peel them completely, leave the skin on, or create decorative stripes by peeling alternate sections. This striped appearance adds visual appeal while retaining some texture and nutrients.
Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds approximately 2–3 mm thick. Consistent thickness ensures even seasoning and a pleasant texture.
Place the sliced cucumbers in a large mixing bowl.
Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon salt and toss thoroughly so all slices are lightly coated.
The salt serves an important purpose:
- Draws out excess moisture
- Concentrates cucumber flavor
- Helps maintain crunchiness
- Prevents the dressing from becoming watery
Allow the cucumbers to rest for 20–30 minutes.
During this time, you will notice water collecting at the bottom of the bowl.
Transfer the cucumbers to a colander and rinse briefly with cold water to remove excess salt.
Pat thoroughly dry using paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
The drier the cucumbers, the creamier the finished salad will be.
Step 2: Prepare the Onion
Thinly slice the red onion.
If you prefer a milder onion flavor:
- Place sliced onions in a bowl.
- Cover with ice water.
- Let soak for 10 minutes.
- Drain completely.
- Pat dry.
This removes some of the sharp sulfur compounds while preserving crunch.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Dressing
In a medium mixing bowl combine:
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- White vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- Sugar or honey
- Garlic
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh dill
Whisk vigorously for 1–2 minutes until completely smooth.
The dressing should be thick, creamy, and easily coat the back of a spoon.
Taste and adjust:
- More vinegar for tanginess
- More sugar for sweetness
- More dill for herbal flavor
- More pepper for mild heat
Step 4: Combine Everything
In a large serving bowl add:
- Dried cucumber slices
- Red onion slices
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh dill
Pour the dressing over the vegetables.
Using a large spoon or spatula, gently fold the mixture until every cucumber slice is coated.
Avoid aggressive stirring because cucumbers can break and release additional moisture.
Step 5: Chill for Maximum Flavor
Cover the bowl tightly.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
For even better flavor, chill for 2–4 hours.
During this resting period:
- Cucumbers absorb the dressing
- Herbs release their aromas
- Flavors blend together
- Texture improves
Stir gently before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve alongside:
- Grilled chicken
- Burgers
- Barbecue ribs
- Roasted potatoes
- Fish
- Sandwiches
- Picnic meals
It also works well as a topping for wraps and pita sandwiches.
Variations
Greek-Style Version
Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt and add:
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Extra lemon juice
- Fresh mint
Ranch Cucumber Salad
Add:
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon dried chives
For a ranch-inspired flavor.
German-Inspired Version
Use:
- Extra dill
- Reduced mayonnaise
- More vinegar
This creates a lighter, tangier salad similar to traditional cucumber salads.
Extra Crunchy Version
Add:
- Thinly sliced celery
- Radishes
- Bell peppers
Just before serving.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Best within 24 hours
- Good for up to 2 days
Because cucumbers naturally release water, stir before serving leftovers.
Do not freeze, as the texture becomes soft and watery after thawing.
Tips for the Best Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Salt the cucumbers first to prevent a watery salad.
- Dry the cucumbers thoroughly before dressing.
- Use fresh dill whenever possible.
- Chill before serving.
- Slice vegetables uniformly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before refrigeration.
- Serve cold for the best texture and flavor.
- Add delicate herbs at the end to preserve freshness.
- Use full-fat sour cream for the richest dressing.
- Make it the same day you plan to serve it for peak quality.
The result is a rich, cool, creamy cucumber salad with crisp cucumber slices, a silky herb-filled dressing, and a balance of tangy, savory, and fresh flavors.
