Creamy Cucumber Salad with fresh dill is the perfect easy side dish for summer! With crispy cucumbers, thinly sliced onion, and fresh dill tossed with a tangy dressing, it’s a dish you’ll make again and again!
In the warmer months we consistently turn to simple salads that are easy to make, and always delicious!
This creamy cucumber dill salad is just that which is why we make it on repeat!
It’s perfect alongside other summer favorites, such as grilled lemon garlic lamb chops, or grilled chicken thighs, and burgers.
Recipe Ingredients
All ingredients for this recipe are shown in the pic below and special notes are made in this bulleted list to assist you.
- Cucumbers. English cucumbers work best for this creamy cucumber salad. Look for cucumbers that are firm.
- Onion. You can use either red onion or sweet onion for this recipe. The red onion provides a nice color contrast.
- Sour cream. You can sub Greek yogurt if you like.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make it
Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.
- Slice 2 large English cucumbers in half lengthwise and use a spoon to remove the seeds. Cut them into 1/4-inch thick half-moon shapes and set aside. Thinly slice 1 cup worth of red onion and mince 3 tablespoons of fresh dill. (Photo #1)
- In a large bowl whisk 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of white pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of granulated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt, and the dill. Add the cucumber and onion to the bowl and mix well to coat. (Photo #2) Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving, but preferably overnight. Be sure to mix the salad at the halfway point. Before serving, taste test and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Enjoy!
Top tip
For the best possible results, make this creamy cucumber salad the day before serving. Allowing it to sit in the fridge overnight will yield maximum flavor. If storing overnight, you can drain the salad of any excess liquid before serving and add a bit more mayo or sour cream right before serving.
More summer salads
Here are just a few more of our favorite salads that are perfect for summer gatherings and barbecues. For more inspiration, check out our entire summer recipe catalog!
- Deli-style cucumber salad – with dill and onions in a sweet vinegar brine.
- Mixed bean salad – with cucumbers, green beans, chickpeas, and kidney beans.
- Deli-style potato salad – with thinly sliced potatoes in a vinegar brine with mayo.
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Creamy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2 large English cucumbers seeds removed and cut into 1/4-inch thick half moons
- 1 cup thinly sliced red onion or sweet onion
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons minced fresh dill
Instructions
- Cut the cucumbers in half lengthwise and with a spoon remove the seeds. Cut into 1/4-inch thick half moon shapes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the vinegar, sugar, pepper, salt, garlic powder, mayonnaise, sour cream, and dill.
- Add the cucumber and onion to the bowl and mix well to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours but preferably overnight. Make sure to mix the salad at the halfway point. When ready to serve, taste test and season with more salt and pepper if required. Enjoy!
Notes
- If refrigerating overnight (recommended!), the salad can be drained of excess liquid and mixed with a touch more mayo and sour cream right before serving.
- Leftovers can be saved for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
It says cream cheese in the heading .it was sour cream you used
Hi Rebecca, nowhere in this recipe do we mention cream cheese. The heading is “Creamy Cucumber Salad”.
Love the salad, but it tends to get watery if it sits for a day or two. Anyone else experiencing this? Any tips to keep it together longer?
Hi Joe, Happy to hear that you enjoyed the flavors.
As far as it get watery – you can drain when it comes out of the fridge and mix in a touch more sour cream and/or mayo. That will do the trick.
All summer I have been enjoying this creamy cucumber salad! My favorite recipe of the summer!
We’re so happy you’ve been enjoying this one, Denise!
Made it tonight for my annual birthday barbecue I do for my sister. A HUGE hit. Love your channel and recipes!
So happy you loved it!
I love cucumber, and this is a perfect change from my usual vinegar and oil dressing.,
We’re so happy you enjoyed it!
I love the New York Deli Cucumber Salad, but this creamy recipe blows it away.
We had to force ourselves to stop eating it immediately after I made it to give it a chance to marinate. I can’t imagine it getting any better, but I’m willing to try!
Thank You….
That’s great to hear, David! Thanks for the comment and so happy you enjoyed!
Easy and delicious
Delicious dressing! I made this for my husband’s birthday dinner tonight. It is marinating in the fridge. Can’t wait to serve it. I made it with cucumbers fresh from my garden.
We’re so happy you enjoyed!
Made twice now and a favorite easy to make salad. I like to make the dressing ahead of time and let it rest in the fridge for a while then pour over fresh cut cucumbers & onions. Thanks for sharing this one!
We’re so happy you’ve enjoyed this one a few times!
I like it
We’re so happy you liked the recipe, Frank!
Summer out loud. Cukes, sweet onions, and dill , kool.
So happy you enjoyed it, Saundra!
Love cucumber salads, especially during the summer. Made this salad ,was really great.
Thank you, Erva!
Delicious refreshing salad..something different to serve as a side dish.
Thanks, Valerie!
Great and refreshing recipe!
Loved this, will make over + over, so tasty. The dill is refreshing + eat it well before losing the cuke crunch! Mmmmm… Added a few tomatoes 2nd time!
Amazing! I had a friend many years ago used to make this salad I never could reproduce it. It’s so simple and perfect and it tasted just like hers. brought back a lot of memories thanks for the recipe five star for sure.!
We’re so happy you loved it, Pamela!