There’s something truly delightful about indulging in a bowl of Creamy Cucumber Salad on a scorching hot day. This easy-to-make recipe combines the cool, crisp freshness of English cucumbers with the tangy creaminess of a homemade sour cream and dill dressing. It’s like a vacation for your taste buds, leaving you feeling refreshed and satisfied.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First and foremost, this recipe is incredibly quick and easy. With just 25 minutes of preparation time, you’ll have this salad ready in no time. The best part? There’s absolutely no cooking involved. All you need are a veggie peeler, a chopping knife, and a mixing spoon.
Secondly, this salad is perfect for those “Oops, I forgot a side dish” moments. We’ve all been there, staring at our main dish and realizing that something is missing. Fear not, because Creamy Cucumber Salad is here to save the day and complete your meal.
Lastly, this salad is incredibly refreshing, just like taking a dip in a cool pool on a hot summer day. And let’s be honest, isn’t that the best kind of salad?
How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Serving Size: 4-6
Ingredients:
- English cucumbers
- Sour cream
- Fresh dill, finely chopped
- White vinegar
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Sugar
*See the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts.
Directions:
- Start by preparing the cucumbers. Wash them under cold water and dry them. Cut off the ends, then slice the cucumbers into thin rounds (about ¼ inch thick). You can peel them if you prefer, but it’s not necessary as English cucumbers have a thinner, more tender skin.
- Place the sliced cucumbers in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle salt over them. Toss well to evenly distribute the salt. Let them sit for about 15 minutes. This process draws out excess water, making the cucumbers crisper in the salad and preventing the dressing from becoming watery.
- While the cucumbers are sitting, prepare the creamy dressing. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, chopped dill, white vinegar, garlic powder, and sugar. Stir everything together until well mixed.
- After 15 minutes, drain off the excess water that has been drawn out from the cucumbers.
- Pour the sour cream dressing over the cucumbers and toss everything together until the cucumbers are well coated with the dressing.
- Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed. You might want to add a little more salt, sugar, or vinegar, depending on your taste.
- You can serve the salad right away, but for the best results, cover it and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the cucumbers to fully absorb the creamy dressing.
- Enjoy your creamy cucumber salad as a refreshing side dish on a hot summer day!
This recipe serves 4-6 people as a side dish. Feel free to double or halve the recipe based on the number of people you’re serving.
Storage Information
Creamy Cucumber Salad is so delicious that you may not have any leftovers. But if you do (or if you’ve made a double batch because you’re smart like that), you’ll want to know how to store it.
The good news is, this salad stores beautifully in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. To keep the flavors fresh and vibrant, make sure to store it in an airtight container. Give it a quick stir before serving to redistribute that glorious dressing.
Helpful Cooking Notes
Cucumber selection is key. We’re using English cucumbers since they have thinner skin and fewer seeds. They’re like the classy cousin of regular cucumbers.
Why do we salt the cucumbers first? It’s not just for flavor. Salting and draining the cucumbers helps prevent your salad from becoming watery.
Don’t rush the chilling step. As tempting as it may be, allow the salad to chill in the fridge for at least an hour. This allows the flavors to mingle and the cucumbers to fully absorb the dressing. It’s like a flavor party, and everyone’s invited.
So there you have it, friends. Creamy Cucumber Salad is a simple and refreshing side dish that’s perfect for any summer meal. Now, go forth and conquer your summer salad game!
