Deliciously Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad: A Refreshing Side Without Vinegar

Discover the ultimate recipe for a deliciously creamy cucumber salad that’s incredibly easy to make. This healthy and refreshing dish features crisp cucumbers and red onions enveloped in a rich dressing of sour cream or Greek yogurt, all without a drop of vinegar. It’s the perfect light side dish for any meal, especially when you find yourself with an abundance of fresh cucumbers from your garden or the farmer’s market!

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Why This Creamy Cucumber Salad Will Become Your New Favorite

Are you someone who struggles to get enough green vegetables into your diet? Or perhaps you’re like me, not a fan of traditional, plain salads? If so, you’re in for a treat! This creamy cucumber salad breaks away from the mundane, offering a vibrant burst of flavor and a delightfully refreshing texture that makes eating your greens an absolute pleasure.

This salad might just remind you of your favorite Greek dip, tzatziki. That’s because it shares a similar base of creamy yogurt and crisp cucumbers, often seasoned with fresh dill and a hint of garlic. While tzatziki typically includes olive oil and sometimes lemon juice or vinegar, this cucumber salad focuses on a simpler, yet equally satisfying, creamy profile. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a cool, crisp side that feels both indulgent and incredibly healthy.

Choosing the Perfect Cucumbers for Your Creamy Salad

The type of cucumber you choose can significantly impact the texture and flavor of your salad. For this recipe, I highly recommend using English cucumbers, often known as hot house cucumbers. They are my preferred choice because they typically have fewer seeds and much thinner skin compared to standard garden cucumbers. This means you usually don’t need to peel them, saving you precious prep time, and their minimal seeds contribute to a less bitter flavor profile.

If you opt for common slicing cucumbers, you might notice they tend to be more watery and can have a slightly more bitter taste due to their larger seeds and thicker skin. To achieve a creamy, non-watery salad with these varieties, it’s a good idea to peel the skin and scoop out the seeds. This extra step helps prevent the salad from becoming soggy. For an even drier, crisper result, you can slice the cucumbers, spread them out on paper towels, sprinkle them generously with salt, and let them sit for about 30 minutes. This process, known as “sweating,” draws out excess moisture, ensuring your salad stays delightfully creamy and flavorful.

Crafting Your Creamy Cucumber Salad: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Making this creamy cucumber salad is incredibly straightforward, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor. Here’s how you can whip up this delightful side dish in just a few simple steps:

1. Prepare Your Vegetables: Begin by thinly slicing your cucumbers and red onions. Aim for uniform, delicate slices to ensure every bite is perfectly balanced. A mandolin slicer can make this step quick and effortless, yielding beautifully even pieces.
2. Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add your freshly sliced cucumbers and onions. Now, it’s time to build the creamy base. Add plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, fresh lemon juice, minced fresh dill, your preferred sweetener, garlic powder, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Mix Thoroughly: Gently fold all the ingredients together until the cucumbers and onions are evenly coated in the rich, creamy dressing. Ensure everything is well combined to distribute the flavors evenly.
4. Serve and Enjoy: For the best flavor and texture, serve the salad chilled. However, it can also be enjoyed at room temperature, making it a versatile option for picnics and potlucks.

That’s it! In about 15 minutes, you’ll have a vibrant, healthy, and incredibly flavorful salad ready to impress.

The Heart of the Creamy Dressing: Ingredients Explained

Each ingredient in this creamy cucumber salad plays a vital role in creating its irresistible flavor and texture. Understanding their purpose can help you customize the dish to your liking.

• Thinly Sliced Cucumbers: The star of the show, providing crispness and hydration. English cucumbers are ideal for their thin skin and minimal seeds, ensuring a smooth texture.
• Thinly Sliced Red Onions: Adds a delightful mild bite and a pop of color. Red onions are milder than yellow onions when raw, making them perfect for salads.
• Plain Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream: The creamy foundation of the dressing. Greek yogurt offers a tangier, lighter option with more protein, while sour cream provides a richer, more classic creamy flavor. Both work beautifully to create that luscious texture without relying on heavy oils.
• Minced Fresh Dill: Essential for that signature fresh, herbaceous flavor that pairs perfectly with cucumbers and creamy dressings. It’s what gives this salad its bright, appealing aroma.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Provides a zesty brightness and a subtle acidity, balancing the richness of the creamy base. It offers a cleaner, fresher tang compared to vinegar, which can sometimes be too sharp.
• Sweetener (optional, to taste): A touch of sweetener helps to balance the tang of the yogurt/sour cream and the sharpness of the onion, creating a harmonious flavor profile. Use your preferred sugar or sugar-free alternative.
• Garlic Powder: Infuses a gentle aromatic depth without the pungency of fresh garlic, ensuring the flavor is well-integrated and subtle.
• Salt and Pepper: Fundamental for seasoning and enhancing all the other flavors. Always adjust to your personal preference.

Dill Substitutions: Flavorful Alternatives for Your Salad

Fresh dill is a hallmark of creamy cucumber salads, but if you don’t have it on hand or prefer a different herb, there are excellent alternatives:

• Dried Dill: If fresh dill isn’t available, you can use dried dill. Remember that dried herbs are more concentrated than fresh ones. For this recipe, if you’re substituting 1 tablespoon of fresh dill, use 1 teaspoon of dried dill.
• Tarragon: This herb offers a subtle licorice-like flavor that can be a delightful twist. Use 1 tablespoon of fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon of dried tarragon as a substitute.
• Other Herbs: Consider fresh mint for a truly refreshing and slightly cooler flavor, especially on a hot day. Parsley can also be used for a milder, more universal herbal note. Chives offer a delicate oniony flavor that complements the creamy base well. Experiment to find your favorite combination!

Mayo vs. Yogurt/Sour Cream: Customizing Your Creamy Base

While this recipe champions the freshness of Greek yogurt or the richness of sour cream, many traditional creamy cucumber salads use mayonnaise. The good news is, you absolutely can use mayo in this recipe!

Substituting Greek yogurt or sour cream with mayonnaise will yield a richer, perhaps slightly heavier, dressing with a different flavor profile. Mayonnaise will add more fat and a distinct savory, egg-based creaminess, whereas Greek yogurt brings a brighter, tangier note and a boost of protein. Sour cream offers a milder tang and a luxurious richness. Feel free to experiment with what best suits your palate and dietary preferences. You could even try a blend of half mayo and half Greek yogurt for a unique balance of flavors and textures!

Elevating Your Salad with Ranch Dressing

For those who adore the herbaceous, savory notes of ranch, this creamy cucumber salad is an excellent canvas for incorporating a ranch twist! I’ve successfully made this recipe using my homemade ranch seasoning, inspired by my Keto Homemade Ranch Dressing recipe. This addition transforms the salad into something familiar yet exciting, perfect for picky eaters or anyone craving that classic ranch flavor.

You can easily substitute the dill, garlic powder, and other seasonings with 1-2 tablespoons of a good quality ranch seasoning mix. If you prefer to make your own from scratch, here are the core ingredients typically found in ranch seasoning (use about ½ teaspoon of each, adjusting to taste):

• Dried Dill
• Garlic Powder
• Dried Chives
• Onion Powder

Combine these with a pinch of salt and pepper, and you’ll have a homemade ranch seasoning blend that elevates your creamy cucumber salad to new heights.

Beyond the Basics: Exciting Additions to Jazz Up Your Cucumber Salad

While this creamy cucumber salad is fantastic on its own, it’s also incredibly versatile and welcomes a variety of additional ingredients to enhance its flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Don’t be afraid to get creative and customize it to your personal preferences!

• Tomatoes: Diced cherry or grape tomatoes add a burst of sweetness, acidity, and vibrant color. Make sure to deseed them if they are very juicy to avoid making the salad watery.
• Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese introduces a tangy, salty punch that complements the creamy dressing and crisp cucumbers beautifully, especially if you enjoy Mediterranean flavors.
• Olives: Sliced Kalamata or black olives add a briny, savory depth that pairs wonderfully with the fresh vegetables and creamy dressing.
• Avocado: Diced avocado brings a rich, buttery texture and healthy fats to the salad, making it even more satisfying and creamy.
• Bell Peppers: Finely diced red, yellow, or orange bell peppers contribute a sweet crunch and extra vitamins.
• Chickpeas: For added protein and fiber, a handful of rinsed and drained chickpeas makes this salad more substantial, turning it into a light meal.
• Fresh Herbs: Beyond dill, consider adding fresh mint for extra freshness, or finely chopped parsley for a milder, peppery note.
• Toasted Nuts or Seeds: For a delightful textural contrast, sprinkle a few toasted slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds just before serving.

Nutritional Insights: Calories and Health Benefits

This creamy cucumber salad is not just delicious; it’s also a surprisingly healthy addition to your meal plan. Cucumbers themselves are incredibly low in calories and packed with water, making them excellent for hydration. They also provide essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin K and some B vitamins.

When made with Greek yogurt, this salad becomes a powerhouse of protein and probiotics, beneficial for gut health. Greek yogurt is also lower in fat and calories than many other creamy bases, offering a guilt-free indulgence. Even with sour cream, the overall calorie count remains modest, especially given how satisfying and flavorful this dish is. A ½ cup serving of this salad contains approximately 34 calories, making it a light and refreshing option.

Storage Tips: Keeping Your Creamy Cucumber Salad Fresh

One of the most common questions about creamy salads is their shelf life and how well they hold up in the fridge. This creamy cucumber salad can certainly be prepared ahead of time, making it a convenient option for meal prep or gatherings.

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the salad will last for up to a week. However, you might find that the cucumbers start to release more water after 3-4 days, which can make the salad a bit more watery than when freshly made. To combat this, I typically aim to enjoy the salad within 3 days for the best texture and freshness. If you’re making a larger batch and want to minimize wateriness, consider storing the sliced cucumbers and onions separately from the dressing, combining them just before serving. This trick helps maintain the crispness of the cucumbers for longer.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Creamy Cucumber Salad

The refreshing and creamy profile of this cucumber salad makes it an incredibly versatile side dish that pairs well with a wide array of main courses. Whether you’re planning a summer barbecue, a hearty weeknight dinner, or a light lunch, this salad is sure to complement your meal beautifully. It can be devoured year-round, adding a fresh, cool counterpoint to richer dishes.

Here’s a list of fantastic main dishes that will pair wonderfully with your creamy cucumber salad:

• Air Fryer Cheeseburgers
• Air Fryer Ribs
• Keto Smothered Pork Chops
• Smothered Chicken
• Air Fryer Fish Sticks
• Pan-Seared Salmon
• Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs
• Grilled Baby Back Ribs
• How to Grill the Best Burgers
• Grilled Cedar Plank Shrimp
• Mushroom Swiss Burgers
• Queso Burgers
• How to Grill Chicken Wings

More Refreshing Salad Recipes to Explore

If you loved this creamy cucumber salad, you’ll definitely want to explore more delicious and easy-to-make salad recipes. Salads are a fantastic way to enjoy fresh vegetables and create satisfying meals or sides. Here are some of my other favorite recipes you might enjoy:

• Keto Broccoli Salad
• Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
• Keto Coleslaw
• Keto Cauliflower Potato Salad
• Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche
• Keto Chicken Salad
• Easy Spaghetti Salad
• Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
• Keto Egg Salad
• Southwest Salad Recipe

Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

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Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

This Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe is made with sour cream or Greek yogurt, onions, and without vinegar. This healthy dish is the perfect side dish, especially when you are wondering what to do with excess cucumbers!

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Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: creamy cucumber salad, cucumber salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 34 kcal

Author: Brandi Crawford

Ingredients

• 3 cups thinly sliced cucumbers (I use English or hot house cucumbers)
• ½ cup thinly sliced onions (I use red onions)
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill (If using dried dill use 1 teaspoon)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sweetener
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Slice the cucumber and onion into thin slices. I like to use a mandolin because it’s quick and easy.
2. Add the cucumber and onions to a bowl with the remaining ingredients (Greek yogurt or sour cream, lemon juice, fresh dill, sweetener, garlic powder, salt, and pepper).
3. Stir until all ingredients are well combined and the cucumbers and onions are evenly coated in the dressing. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Video Guide

Watch the video below for a visual guide on how to prepare this easy creamy cucumber salad:

Important Notes for Best Results

For the best creamy cucumber salad, paying attention to your cucumbers is key. I highly recommend using English cucumbers (also known as hot house) because they have a thinner skin and fewer seeds than traditional cucumbers, which means less bitterness and less water content.

If you use standard cucumbers, I suggest peeling their skin and removing the seeds. The excess seeds can release a lot of moisture, leading to a watery salad. Another tip for any cucumber type is to slice them, spread them on paper towels, sprinkle with salt, and let them sit for about 30 minutes. This “sweating” process draws out excess water, ensuring your salad remains wonderfully creamy and not diluted.

Tools for Your Kitchen

Having the right tools can make preparing this salad even quicker and more enjoyable:

• Mandolin Slicer: Perfect for achieving uniformly thin slices of cucumbers and onions.
• Onion Chopper: A great tool if you prefer finely diced onions over slices.
• Mixing Bowl: A good size mixing bowl is essential for easily combining all your ingredients.

Detailed Nutrition Information

Here is the nutritional breakdown for one serving of this Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad, calculated with net carbs:

Serving: 0.5 cup | Calories: 34 kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.7g | Protein: 2.8g | Fat: 1g

Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

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