Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad is the perfect summer side dish. After making this dozens of times, I’ve mastered the creamy, tangy dressing that sets this salad apart. The secret? A touch of sour cream and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Spicy Miso Carrot Soup and Creamy Moroccan Sweet Potato Soup with Chickpeas.
Why This Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides Is Pure Comfort
- Ready in 15 minutes
- Creamy, tangy dressing
- Crisp cucumbers
- Perfect summer side dish
What You'll Need for Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Cucumbers
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Dill
- Optional: Red onion
- Optional: Fresh dill
- Optional: Crumbled bacon
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Cucumbers: Use English or seedless cucumbers for less watery salad.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Ensures even, thin cucumber slices for better texture. → See on Amazon
- Apple Cider Vinegar — Adds tangy flavor and helps preserve the salad. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
- Prepare cucumbers: Thinly slice cucumbers using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Place in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 10 minutes to draw out water.
- Make dressing: In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble salad: Rinse and pat dry cucumbers. Add to dressing and toss to combine. Garnish with fresh dill and serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
- Common mistake and fix: Don't skip salting cucumbers. It prevents watery salad and improves texture.
- : For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
- : Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The salad may release some water, so drain before serving.
Storing & Reheating Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare up to 1 day ahead. Add toppings just before serving.
Freezing Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream.
- Best substitution: Substitute red wine vinegar for apple cider vinegar if preferred.
- Make-ahead: Prepare up to 1 day ahead. Add toppings just before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If salad is too watery, drain and pat dry cucumbers before serving.
Want to level up this recipe?
Salad Spinner — Quickly dries cucumbers, preventing watery salad and ensuring perfect texture. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Cucumbers
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sugar
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Dill
Optional Toppings
- Red onion
- Fresh dill
- Crumbled bacon
Instructions
- Prepare cucumbers: Thinly slice cucumbers using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Place in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 10 minutes to draw out water.
- Make dressing: In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble salad: Rinse and pat dry cucumbers. Add to dressing and toss to combine. Garnish with fresh dill and serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream.
- Best substitution: Substitute red wine vinegar for apple cider vinegar if preferred.
- Make-ahead: Prepare up to 1 day ahead. Add toppings just before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If salad is too watery, drain and pat dry cucumbers before serving.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Prepare up to 1 day ahead. Add toppings just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides FAQs
Yes, prepare up to 1 day ahead. Add toppings just before serving.
Skipping the salting step or using overripe cucumbers can cause watery salad. Drain and pat dry cucumbers before serving.
No, freezing affects the texture and causes watery salad.
No, this recipe is not suitable for the air fryer.
Red wine vinegar can be used as a substitute.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
