Zingy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad Recipe: A Summer Delight

Cool summer nights call for a refreshing cucumber dill salad that brings crisp, tangy flavors to your table.

Crisp cucumbers dance with fragrant dill in this simple yet elegant dish.

Crunchy vegetables mingle with a smooth, velvety dressing that feels like a gentle breeze.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of garden-fresh ingredients and creamy goodness.

Mediterranean kitchens have long celebrated these vibrant combinations of herbs and vegetables.

Chopped cucumbers and dill create a perfect harmony of texture and taste.

Dive into this light, satisfying recipe that will become your new favorite summer side dish.

Reasons to Enjoy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad

• Boost Nutrition: Packed with protein from Greek yogurt and fresh vegetables, this salad delivers a healthy punch that supports balanced eating without feeling like a diet chore.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or adjust seasonings to match personal taste preferences, making it a versatile side dish for various meals and dietary needs.
• Quick Prep Champion: Requires minimal cooking skills and simple ingredients, perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious results without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Offers a crowd-friendly option that appeals to different palates, works great for potlucks, family gatherings, and summer barbecues with its refreshing flavor profile.

Ingredients Needed for Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad

• Cucumber: Fresh, crisp vegetable that provides a cool and refreshing foundation for the salad.
• Red Onion: Sharp, tangy ingredient that adds a zesty crunch to the cucumber mixture.

• Greek Yogurt, Sour Cream: Rich and smooth dairy products that create a creamy and tangy base for the dressing.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic ingredient that adds a fresh citrus note and helps balance the creamy components.
• Fresh Dill: Delicate herb that brings a light, aromatic flavor and enhances the overall taste of the salad.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that help enhance and balance the flavors of the cucumber salad.

How to Make Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad Easily

Step 1: Slice and Prep Veggies

Grab your cucumber and carefully slice it into thin, delicate rounds. If you’re feeling adventurous, thinly slice some red onion to add a zesty kick.

Toss these crisp veggie pieces into a spacious mixing bowl.

Step 2: Whip Up the Dreamy Dressing

In a separate bowl, grab your Greek yogurt and sour cream.

Pour them in and add a splash of bright lemon juice. Sprinkle in some freshly chopped dill for an herbaceous punch.

Whisk everything together until the mixture becomes silky smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Marry the Flavors

Pour your luscious dressing over the waiting cucumber and onion.

Gently fold and toss the ingredients, making sure every slice gets a luxurious coating of the creamy goodness.

Step 4: Season to Perfection

Sprinkle in salt and pepper.

Give it another gentle stir to distribute the seasonings evenly throughout the salad.

Step 5: Chill and Enhance

Pop the bowl into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

This magical resting time allows all the flavors to mingle and get to know each other, creating a more complex and delicious experience.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Pull out your chilled salad and serve it up.

Each spoonful promises a refreshing, tangy, and creamy delight that’ll make your taste buds dance with joy.

Helpful Tips for Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad Success

• Use a sharp mandoline or knife to create uniform, paper-thin cucumber slices for a delicate texture and even dressing coverage.
• Pat cucumbers with paper towels or sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes to remove water, preventing a watery salad.
• Replace Greek yogurt with dairy-free alternatives like coconut yogurt for a vegan version, or use low-fat options for a lighter dish.
• Chop dill just before adding to maximize its bright flavor and aromatic qualities in the creamy dressing.
• Let the salad chill for up to 2 hours to allow ingredients to blend, creating a more intense and harmonious taste profile.

Flavor Variations for Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad

• Greek-Free Version: Replace Greek yogurt with cottage cheese or ricotta for a different protein base and texture.
• Vegan Cucumber Delight: Swap dairy ingredients with coconut yogurt, cashew cream, and plant-based sour cream alternative.
• Low-Carb Herb Salad: Substitute red onions with green onions and add extra fresh herbs like chives or parsley for complexity.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Mix in diced jalapeños, sprinkle red pepper flakes, and add a dash of smoked paprika for heat and depth.

Foods That Go Well with Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad

• Complement the cool, tangy cucumber salad with succulent grilled chicken or fish seasoned with oregano and lemon, creating a refreshing Mediterranean-inspired meal that balances creamy and light textures.
• Select a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to match the salad's bright, herbal dill notes and creamy yogurt base, providing a crisp and zesty accompaniment that elevates the overall dining experience.
• Serve alongside crusty sourdough or whole grain bread to add a delightful crunch and provide a perfect vehicle for scooping up the creamy cucumber salad, creating a satisfying and rustic meal combination.

How to Store Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad Correctly

• Transfer leftover salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the salad cool and crisp by placing it in the main compartment, away from strong-smelling foods.
• Avoid freezing this creamy cucumber salad, as the yogurt and cucumber will separate and lose their texture when thawed, resulting in a watery, unappetizing dish.
• Before serving leftovers, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing. If it seems dry, add a small splash of fresh lemon juice or a dollop of Greek yogurt to revive the creamy consistency.

FAQs

• What type of cucumbers work best for this salad?

English or Persian cucumbers are ideal because they have thin, tender skin and fewer seeds, which keeps the salad crisp and prevents it from becoming watery.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this salad up to 24 hours in advance. Just keep it refrigerated and give it a gentle stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.

• Is this salad healthy?

Absolutely! This salad is protein-rich from Greek yogurt, low in calories, and packed with nutrients from fresh cucumbers and dill, making it a nutritious side dish.

• How can I make the salad more protein-packed?

Add crumbled feta cheese or some grilled chicken pieces to transform this side dish into a more substantial meal with extra protein.

Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Cool summer gatherings welcome this Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad, blending crisp cucumber slices with tangy sour cream and fresh dill. Refreshing and light, the dish offers a perfect side that cools down warm days with classic European charm.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

Dairy Components:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) sour cream

Seasoning and Herbs:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh dill, chopped
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Slice cucumbers and red onion into delicate, translucent pieces in a spacious mixing vessel.
2. Create a velvety dressing by whisking Greek yogurt, sour cream, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and fragrant dill until completely integrated and silky.
3. Cascade the creamy dressing over the crisp vegetable mixture, carefully folding to ensure uniform coating.
4. Enhance the salad with a balanced sprinkle of salt and pepper, adjusting seasoning to personal preference.
5. Transfer the dressed salad to the refrigerator and allow it to rest for a minimum of 30 minutes, enabling the ingredients to harmonize and develop a more profound flavor profile.
6. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and ensure optimal taste.
7. Present the chilled cucumber dill salad as a refreshing accompaniment, garnished with additional chopped dill if desired.

Notes

• Slice cucumbers paper-thin for the best texture and even dressing absorption.
• Use full-fat Greek yogurt to achieve a richer, creamier consistency in the dressing.
• For a lighter version, substitute sour cream with additional Greek yogurt to reduce calories.
• Optional quick pickle technique: sprinkle salt on sliced cucumbers and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture, creating a crunchier salad.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 60 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 2.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 7 mg