Name: Creamy Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 85 min
Ingredients: 2 English Cucumbers; 1 cup Sour Cream; 2 tbsp Dill (freshly chopped); 2 tbsp White Vinegar; 1 tsp Salt; 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder; 1 tsp Sugar

There’s nothing quite like the simple joy of diving into a bowl of refreshing, Creamy Cucumber Salad on a hot summer day. This easy-to-prepare dish 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.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

First, it’s incredibly easy to whip up. With a prep time of just 25 minutes, this salad comes together faster than you can say, “Crispy cucumber, creamy dressing, come to Mama.” And the best part? There’s absolutely no cooking involved. The only thing that gets a workout here is your veggie peeler, your chopping knife, and your mixing spoon.

Second, it’s perfect for all those, “Oops, I forgot to make a side dish” moments. We’ve all been there, staring at the main dish and realizing something is missing. Enter Creamy Cucumber Salad, here to save the day and your meal.

Third, it’s as refreshing as a dip in the pool after a hot summer day. And let’s be honest, isn’t that just 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 recipe card below for full amounts

Directions:

Start by preparing the cucumbers. Wash them under cold water and then dry them. Cut off the ends, then slice the cucumbers into thin rounds (about ¼ inch thick). If you prefer, you can peel them before slicing, but it’s not necessary – English cucumbers have a thinner, more tender skin than regular cucumbers.
Once your cucumbers are sliced, place them in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the salt over them. Toss to evenly distribute the salt. Let them sit for about 15 minutes. This will draw out some of the water and make the cucumbers crisper in your salad and will help keep the dressing from watering down while it chills.
While the cucumbers are sitting, you can prepare the creamy dressing. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, chopped dill, white vinegar, garlic powder, and sugar. Stir everything together until it’s well mixed.
After the cucumbers have sat in the salt for 15 minutes, drain off the excess water that has been drawn out.
Pour the sour cream dressing over the cucumbers. 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 best results, cover it and put it in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. This will allow 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 should serve 4-6 people as a side dish. You can easily double or halve the recipe, depending on how many people you’re serving.

Storage Information

Let’s face it: Creamy Cucumber Salad is so delicious, 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’re going to want to know how to store it.

The good news is, this salad stores beautifully in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Just make sure to keep it in an airtight container to keep the flavors fresh and vibrant. You can give it a quick stir before serving to redistribute that glorious dressing.

Helpful Cooking Notes

Cucumber selection is key. We’re using English cucumbers here because they have thinner skin and fewer seeds. They’re like the classy cousin of the regular cucumber.
Why do we salt the cucumbers first? It’s not just for flavor. Salting and then draining the cucumbers helps to prevent your salad from becoming as watery as a Nicholas Sparks novel.
Don’t rush the chilling step. Sure, you could dive right in after mixing, but letting the salad chill in the fridge for at least an hour lets the flavors 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. This Creamy Cucumber Salad is simple, refreshing, and the perfect side dish for any summer meal. Now, go forth and conquer your summer salad game!