This refreshing Creamy Cucumber Salad recipe makes the perfect appetizer or side dish, especially during warm summer months when cucumbers are at their peak freshness! Thinly sliced cucumbers are mixed with a creamy dressing and fresh dill for an effortless salad that elevates any meal.
Whip up this creamy cucumber salad with mayo and Greek yogurt as a fresh delicious side dish for a summer barbecue or enjoy it as a light accompaniment to a hearty meal. The cool and crisp texture of the cucumbers and chopped red onion contrasts beautifully with the smooth creaminess of the tangy dressing. The addition of fresh dill infuses the dish with a burst of herbal freshness and adds a pop of color that elevates the visual appeal.
This easy recipe takes little to no preparation and uses less than 10 ingredients! It’s a timeless classic that perfectly compliments sunny days and outdoor gatherings. If you’re looking for more summer salad recipes, try my Big Mac salad, Caprese salad, or grape salad.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy. This easy creamy cucumber salad is ideal for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings, made with a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation!
- Low-carb Option. There is the option to make this creamy cucumber onion salad low carb, making it a great choice for those following a keto diet.
- Versatile. Enjoy this dish in a variety of ways: as an appetizer, side dish, light lunch, or use as a topping for main dishes!
Ingredients
Below are the simple ingredients you will need to make this creamy cucumber and onion salad. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.
- Greek Yogurt: Use plain, unflavored yogurt. Alternatively, you can make creamy cucumber salad with sour cream. To keep it dairy-free, you could use this almond and soy version or a cashew milk version.
- Mayonnaise: I recommend using full-fat mayo to give this cucumber salad a creamy and rich taste and texture. You can use a lower-fat option if you prefer, or even a plant-based option to keep it vegan.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds a subtle tanginess that brightens the other flavors. Alternatively, you can swap for red wine vinegar for a more tart flavor, or apple cider vinegar for a tart sweetness.
- Sweetener: If you want to keep this recipe for creamy cucumber salad low-carb, use monk fruit. If you’re not watching your carbs, feel free to use regular granulated sugar.
- Cucumbers: Use mini cucumbers for bite-sized pieces and slice them thin so they soak up all the flavors. Or thinly slice 4 cups of regular-sized cucumbers.
- Red Onion: Enhances the flavor, texture, and visual appeal of the salad by adding a slightly spicy crunch. Alternatively, you can use sweet onions or green onions.
- Dill: Fresh dill adds a bright herbaceous flavor and a pop of green.
How to Make
Below are photos and recipe steps so you can easily make this creamy dill cucumber salad recipe at home. You will also need a knife, a cutting board, a colander, and a mixing bowl.
- Thinly slice the cucumbers and place them in a colander or on a cutting board. Blot the cucumbers with a paper towel and allow them to sit for 10-15 minutes so they release as much moisture as possible.
- In a medium-sized bowl combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, rice vinegar, and sweetener, and stir to combine. Taste the mixture and add additional sweetener if desired.
- Add the cucumbers, red onion, and fresh dill and toss together until completely coated.
- Add salt, pepper, and additional dill to taste. Serve cold!
Serve
This salad makes a great appetizer, side dish, or stand-alone light meal, or is delicious as a garnish for burgers, sandwiches, wraps, or salads. Below are some of our favorite recipes to serve with this dish.
Tips and Tricks
- If you prefer a thinner, smoother texture, add 1-2 teaspoons of water to the dressing mixture before adding the cucumbers.
- Thinly slice the cucumbers in uniform size by using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to ensure the best texture and flavor.
- Taste test as you go to adjust the seasonings as needed to suit your preferences before serving. Feel free to add more salt, pepper, sweetener, or vinegar to taste!
- Serve cold for the best flavor and texture.
- Make it vegan by using a plain dairy-free yogurt and vegan mayonnaise alternative.
Creamy Cucumber Salad FAQ
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can easily prepare creamy cucumber and onion salad with mayo in advance. I recommend storing the cucumber and onions separately from the dressing so the cucumbers do not become soggy. Slice the cucumber and onion, store them in an airtight container, and prepare the dressing in a separate container. Keep the containers refrigerated until you are ready to serve, then simply mix everything!
What type of cucumbers should I use?
Mini cucumbers or Persian cucumbers are typically best for their thin skin and mild flavor and are seedless for easy eating. English cucumbers or regular garden cucumbers also work. If using the latter, I recommend removing the seeds before mixing them with the other ingredients.
Are there recipe variations?
You can customize this recipe in a variety of ways! Experiment with different herbs like parsley, chives, basil, or mint for different flavor profiles. You can also include additional veggies for added texture and flavor like diced red bell peppers, sliced radishes, cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced or shredded carrots, or feta cheese. If you want to add a kick of heat, sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or add diced jalapeños.
More Salad Recipes
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sweetener sugar if not low carb, monkfruit if keto
- 4 mini cucumbers (4 cups thinly sliced cucumbers
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Thinly slice the cucumbers and place them in a colander or on a cutting board. Blot the cucumbers with a paper towel and allow them to sit 10-15 minutes so they release as much moisture as possible.
- In a medium-sized bowl combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, rice vinegar, and sweetener, stir to combine. Taste the mixture and add additional sweetener if desired.
- Add the cucumbers, red onion, fresh dill and toss to coat.
- Add salt, pepper and additional dill to taste. Serve
Notes
- If you prefer a thinner, smoother texture, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of water to the mixture before adding the cucumbers to the mixture.
- To keep this low carb and keto-friendly use monkfruit instead of sugar.
- You can use a regular cucumber, you will need 4 cups of thinly sliced cucumbers.