Creamy Cucumber Salad

Name: Creamy Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 large English cucumbers (thinly sliced); 1 teaspoon salt; 1 large shallot (thinly sliced); ½ cup plain Greek yogurt; ¼ cup sour cream; 2 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped); 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon honey; salt (to taste)

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This creamy cucumber salad is an easy summer side dish made with crisp cucumbers and thinly sliced shallots tossed in a creamy sour cream and Greek yogurt dressing with fresh dill, lemon juice, and a touch of honey. It’s cool, refreshing, and perfect for warm-weather dinners, potlucks, and backyard BBQs.

Overhead view of creamy cucumber salad served in a wide white bowl, garnished with chopped fresh dill and cracked black pepper, surrounded by fresh dill sprigs, a halved lemon on a small plate, wooden bowls of coarse salt and black pepper on a rustic wood slice, two forks, a black-and-white striped towel with mustard yellow trim, and a green glass of iced water on a light marble surface.

To help beat the summer heat, I’m sharing a handful of light, no-cook recipes, starting with this creamy cucumber salad. Made with a handful of simple ingredients, this easy cucumber salad is one of the best side dishes for warm-weather meals, from summer barbecue to Mediterranean-inspired favorites like grilled Greek chicken. It’s cool, creamy, full of fresh dill flavor, and comes together in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients in Creamy Cucumber Salad
How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad
What Else Can I Add to Creamy Cucumber Salad?
Serving Ideas
Frequently Asked Questions
More Summer Salad Recipes
Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

Ingredients in Creamy Cucumber Salad

In this recipe, the cucumbers stay crisp and refreshing, while the creamy dill dressing adds tangy flavor and just the right amount of richness.

Overhead view of the ingredients for creamy cucumber salad arranged on a light marble background with white text labels naming each ingredient. Two whole dark green cucumbers and one brown shallot sit on a round off-white marble board, surrounded by fresh green dill, two lemon halves, a small glass bowl of golden honey, a white measuring cup of thick white Greek yogurt, a white measuring cup of sour cream, and small glass bowls of garlic powder, pink salt, and black pepper. Visible text overlays read lemon juice, fresh dill, cucumber, shallot, honey, Greek yogurt, pepper, salt, garlic powder, and sour cream.

Cucumber: I like to make my cucumber salads with English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers because they have thin skin, fewer seeds, and a crisp texture. They also tend to be less watery than standard garden cucumbers, which helps keep the salad creamy instead of diluted.
Greek yogurt: Makes the dressing creamy, tangy, and a little lighter. Plain regular yogurt may also be used, though the dressing will be a bit thinner.
Sour cream: Adds richness and gives the dressing that classic creamy cucumber salad flavor.
Dill: Fresh dill is best for bright, fresh flavor. Fresh chives or fresh parsley can work in a pinch, but dill gives the salad its most traditional flavor.
Fresh lemon juice: Adds a pop of brightness and helps balance the creamy dressing. White wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or red wine vinegar are good substitutes.
Seasonings: Garlic powder and black pepper add simple flavor without overpowering the salad.
Honey: Just a small amount helps balance the tanginess of the yogurt and sour cream. Maple syrup or a small pinch of granulated sugar also work.

Find the printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad

For the best texture, remember to salt the cucumbers first. It helps draw out excess moisture so the dressing stays thick and creamy.

Overhead view of a white bowl filled with the ingredients for creamy cucumber salad dressing, including white Greek yogurt, sour cream, chopped fresh green dill, pale yellow lemon juice, golden honey, black pepper, pink salt, and garlic powder, with a black-and-white striped towel trimmed in mustard yellow beside the bowl on a light marble background.

Overhead view of a white bowl filled with smooth creamy dill dressing speckled with green dill and black pepper, with a wooden-handled spoon resting inside the bowl and a black-and-white striped towel with mustard yellow trim on a light marble surface.

Prep the veggies: Peel the cucumbers, if desired, then slice them into rounds and thinly slice the shallot. You can cut the cucumbers as thin or thick as you like, but I usually aim for slices about ⅛ to ¼ inch thick.
Salt the cucumbers: Add the sliced cucumbers to a large bowl and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Let them rest for about 10 minutes to help draw out excess moisture, then gently pat them dry with paper towels.
Make the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, sour cream, fresh dill, lemon juice, garlic powder, black pepper, and honey until smooth and creamy.
Add the shallots: Transfer the cucumbers back to the bowl and toss them with the thinly sliced shallots.
Toss everything together: Pour the creamy dressing over the cucumbers and shallots, then toss until everything is evenly coated.
Chill, then serve: Refrigerate the salad for 15 to 30 minutes before serving, if desired. Garnish with extra fresh dill and a few cracks of black pepper, if desired.

Overhead view of sliced cucumbers and shallots in a large off-white mixing bowl with dollops of creamy dill dressing spooned over the top, set on a light marble background with a black-and-white striped towel trimmed in mustard yellow at the bottom right.

Overhead view of creamy cucumber salad tossed in a large off-white mixing bowl, with sliced cucumbers and shallots coated in a thick white dill dressing and mixed with a white spatula featuring a blue patterned handle, on a light marble surface with a black-and-white striped towel trimmed in mustard yellow.

What Else Can I Add to Creamy Cucumber Salad?

There are several ways to change up this very classic recipe depending on what you have on hand or how you plan to serve it.

Cherry tomatoes: Add juicy sweetness and a pop of color.
Avocado: Makes the salad even creamier and a little more filling.
Feta cheese: Adds a salty, tangy flavor that pairs really well with the dill and lemon.
Capers: Bring a briny, salty bite that adds extra flavor.
Chickpeas: A great way to make the salad heartier and more satisfying.

Serving Ideas

This creamy cucumber salad is the perfect summer side dish. Serve it with:

Grilled favorites like grilled citrus marinated chicken, grilled veggie skewers, hamburgers, and chicken shish kabobs.
Mediterranean-inspired meals such as chicken souvlaki, gyro, and pita bread.
Summer side dishes like corn salad, potato salad, corn on the cob, cucumber avocado salad, and fresh fruit salad.

Close overhead view of creamy cucumber salad in a white serving bowl, showing sliced cucumbers and thin shallot rings coated in a creamy white dill dressing and garnished with chopped fresh dill and cracked black pepper, with part of a lemon and striped kitchen towel visible along the edges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to salt the cucumbers for cucumber salad?

Salting the cucumbers helps draw out excess moisture, which keeps the dressing thicker and creamier instead of watery. That said, you can skip this step, especially if you plan to serve the salad right away, or do not mind a slightly looser dressing.

What are the best cucumbers for cucumber salad?

English cucumbers and Persian cucumbers are the best cucumbers for cucumber salad because they have thin skin and fewer seeds. They’re also less watery than standard slicing cucumbers, which helps keep the dressing nice and creamy.

Can I make creamy cucumber salad ahead of time?

Yes, but it is best enjoyed the same day. If you want to make it ahead, I recommend salting and draining the cucumbers first, then storing the cucumbers and dressing separately until shortly before serving. This helps keep the cucumbers crisp and prevents the dressing from becoming watery.

How long will creamy cucumber salad last in the refrigerator?

Creamy cucumber salad is best enjoyed the same day, but it will keep for up to 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator. Over time, the cucumbers will soften and release more moisture, which can make the dressing thinner and less creamy. For the best texture, store it in an airtight container and give it a quick stir before serving.