Craving something cool, creamy, and refreshing? My Creamy Cucumber Salad is the perfect summertime side dish that delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.

Inspired by classic European-style cucumber salads, this easy recipe blends crisp cucumbers, tangy red onion, and a creamy, herbed dressing that’s as satisfying as it is simple to prepare.

Whether you’re planning a backyard BBQ, a weeknight dinner, or just need something light and delicious, this cucumber salad hits the spot every time.

Ingredients List

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this creamy cucumber salad from scratch:

3 cups thinly sliced cucumbers (English or Persian cucumbers work best)
1 cup thinly sliced red onion

1/2 cup sour cream (for that rich and tangy base)
1 tablespoon white vinegar (adds brightness)
2 tablespoons minced fresh dill (fresh is key for flavor!)

1 teaspoon granulated sugar (balances the acidity)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

These simple ingredients come together in minutes for a dish that’s incredibly flavorful and refreshing. Feel free to adjust the seasoning to suit your taste.

Required Kitchen Tools

Making this creamy cucumber salad is a breeze, especially when you have the right tools on hand. Here’s what I recommend for quick and efficient prep:

Sharp Chef’s Knife or Mandoline:
To get those ultra-thin, uniform slices of cucumber and onion, a sharp knife works well—but a mandoline makes it even easier and faster.

Mixing Bowls:
You’ll need one medium-sized mixing bowl to make the dressing and combine everything together.
Measuring Spoons and Cups:
For accuracy in your ingredients, especially when it comes to vinegar and seasoning.
Paper Towels or Clean Kitchen Towel:
Patting the cucumbers dry helps prevent the salad from becoming watery, keeping the dressing thick and creamy.

Salad Spoon or Tongs:
Use these to gently toss the cucumbers and onions with the dressing without bruising the delicate vegetables.

Having these tools ready to go ensures that your cucumber salad turns out crisp, creamy, and full of flavor with every bite.

Salad Preparation Steps

Creating this creamy cucumber salad is super simple—just a few quick steps and you’re ready to chill or serve. Here’s how I do it:

Step 1: Prep the Veggies

Start by washing your cucumbers thoroughly. I prefer leaving the skin on for texture and color, but feel free to peel them if you like. Slice the cucumbers thinly using a mandoline or a sharp knife. Do the same with the red onion. Once sliced, pat the cucumber slices dry using paper towels—this prevents the dressing from getting too watery later on.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Dill Dressing

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, white vinegar, fresh dill, sugar, salt, and garlic powder. Stir until everything is smooth and well combined. You’ll instantly smell the fresh dill—it’s such a game changer in this recipe!

Step 3: Combine and Toss

Add the sliced cucumbers and red onion to the bowl of dressing. Use a large spoon or tongs to gently toss until the vegetables are evenly coated. Make sure not to over-mix, as cucumbers can bruise easily.

Step 4: Chill (Optional but Recommended)

You can serve this salad right away, but I highly recommend covering and chilling it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This gives the flavors time to meld and the salad tastes even better cold.

Serving Suggestions, Storage & Final Thoughts

Garnishing and Serving Ideas

When it’s time to serve, I like to sprinkle a little extra fresh dill on top and crack some black pepper over the salad for a finishing touch. It looks fresh, tastes amazing, and brings out the herbs in the dressing. This salad pairs beautifully with grilled meats, sandwiches, or even as a topping for open-faced rye bread with smoked salmon.

Hosting a picnic or BBQ? Serve it cold in a chilled bowl to keep it refreshing even on hot days. It’s a great make-ahead dish, too—just stir before serving.

Storage Tips

If you have leftovers (which rarely happens in my house), simply cover the salad and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for up to 3 days. Just note that the cucumbers will release more water over time, so give it a quick stir and maybe a small spoon of sour cream to freshen it up if needed.