Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad is the ultimate summer side dish. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the creamy, tangy dressing that complements the crisp cucumbers perfectly. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Aloo Keema Recipe with Ground Meat and Potatoes and Creamy Jalapeno Popper Corn Casserole Recipe.
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.
- 1 large English cucumber
- 1/2 small red onion
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Optional: 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
📝 Ingredient Notes
- English cucumber: Regular cucumbers work too, but English cucumbers have fewer seeds.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Slices cucumbers thin and even → See on Amazon
- Salad Spinner — Dries cucumbers quickly → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
- Prepare cucumbers: Slice cucumbers thinly using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Place in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse and pat dry.
- Make dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Combine: Add cucumbers and red onions to the bowl with the dressing. Gently mix to coat.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve chilled.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
- : For a lighter salad, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't skip salting the cucumbers. It prevents the salad from being watery.
- : Add a pinch of celery seeds to the dressing for extra flavor.
- : This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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 in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can make this salad up to 8 hours ahead. Keep chilled.
Freezing Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Not suitable for freezing.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute red onion with shallots for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: This salad can be made up to 8 hours ahead. Keep chilled.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too watery, drain some of the liquid before serving.
Want to level up this recipe?
Food Processor — Chops onions quickly and evenly → Check price on Amazon
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber
- 1/2 small red onion
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Optional Toppings
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare cucumbers: Slice cucumbers thinly using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Place in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse and pat dry.
- Make dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Combine: Add cucumbers and red onions to the bowl with the dressing. Gently mix to coat.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve chilled.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute red onion with shallots for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: This salad can be made up to 8 hours ahead. Keep chilled.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too watery, drain some of the liquid before serving.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Make ahead: You can make this salad up to 8 hours ahead. Keep chilled.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 80
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 4g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- 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, you can make this salad up to 8 hours ahead. Keep chilled.
If the salad is too watery, drain some of the liquid before serving. You can also salt the cucumbers and let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture.
No, this salad does not freeze well due to the dairy in the dressing.
This salad is best served chilled and does not require cooking, so an air fryer is not necessary.
This salad pairs well with grilled meats, sandwiches, or as a side for BBQ cookouts.
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!
