A crisp, refreshing cucumber salad tossed in a creamy dill, garlic, and lemon dressing. It’s quick, cool, and perfect as a side dish for grilled chicken, seafood, burgers, or Mediterranean meals.

Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

 Ingredients

For the Salad

• 3 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
• ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
• ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ tsp salt

Creamy Dressing

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• 1 tsp dried dill, or 1 tbsp fresh dill
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup, optional

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 Instructions

1. Prepare the cucumbers

Wash and thinly slice the cucumbers.

Place them in a colander and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt.

Let them sit for 10–15 minutes.

Gently pat dry with paper towels or squeeze lightly to remove excess moisture.

This helps prevent the finished salad from becoming watery.

2. Prepare the onion

Thinly slice the red onion.

For a milder flavor, place the onion in cold water for 5–10 minutes, then drain thoroughly.

3. Make the creamy dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together:

• Greek yogurt
• Sour cream
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Apple cider vinegar
• Garlic
• Dill
• Dijon mustard
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Honey, if using

Whisk until smooth and creamy.

4. Combine

Add the cucumbers, red onion, fresh dill, and parsley to a large bowl.

Pour the dressing over the vegetables.

Gently toss until everything is evenly coated.

5. Chill

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

This gives the cucumbers time to absorb the flavors.

6. Serve

Give the salad another gentle toss before serving.

Garnish with additional fresh dill and cracked black pepper.

Serve chilled.

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 Optional Additions

For extra flavor, add:

• Cherry tomatoes
• Crumbled feta
• Avocado
• Thinly sliced radishes
• Fresh mint
• Green onions
• Kalamata olives
• A pinch of red pepper flakes
• Toasted sunflower seeds

For a Mediterranean version, add feta, olives, tomatoes, and fresh oregano.

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 Tips for the Best Cucumber Salad

Choose the right cucumber

English or Persian cucumbers are excellent because they have thin skins and fewer seeds.

Don’t skip draining

Cucumbers naturally contain a lot of water. Salting and draining them keeps the dressing creamy.

Use fresh dill

Fresh dill gives the salad a much brighter flavor than dried dill.

Chill before serving

At least 30 minutes makes a noticeable difference in flavor.

Don’t overdress

If preparing the salad several hours ahead, reserve some dressing and add it just before serving.

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 Nutrition Information

Approximate per serving, assuming 6 servings:

• Calories: 105–125
• Protein: 4–5 g
• Carbohydrates: 7–9 g
• Fat: 6–7 g
• Fiber: 1–2 g
• Sugar: 4–5 g
• Sodium: 200–300 mg

Nutrition will vary depending on the yogurt, sour cream, and amount of dressing used.

 Allergen Information

Contains:

• Dairy — Greek yogurt and sour cream

Nut information: No peanuts or tree nuts as written.

Gluten-free: 
Vegetarian: 
Low-carb: 
Keto-friendly:

For a dairy-free version, use unsweetened dairy-free yogurt and dairy-free sour cream.

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 Q&A

Can I make cucumber salad without yogurt?

Yes. Replace the creamy dressing with olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper.

Can I use mayonnaise?

Yes. Replace the Greek yogurt with mayonnaise for a richer, more traditional creamy cucumber salad.

Can I use only Greek yogurt?

Absolutely. Use ¾ cup Greek yogurt and omit the sour cream for a lighter version.

How do I prevent watery cucumber salad?

Salt the sliced cucumbers, let them sit for 10–15 minutes, and drain or pat them dry before adding the dressing.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes. For the freshest texture, prepare the vegetables and dressing separately and combine them shortly before serving.

How long does it last?

Store refrigerated in an airtight container for about 2 days. The cucumbers will become softer as they sit.

Can I use dried dill?

Yes. Use approximately 1 teaspoon dried dill in the dressing.

Can I add feta?

Yes! Feta adds a delicious salty Mediterranean flavor.

Is cucumber salad keto-friendly?

Yes. This version is relatively low in carbohydrates and can fit a keto-style meal plan.

Can I make it vegan?

Yes. Replace Greek yogurt and sour cream with unsweetened plant-based alternatives.

What does cucumber salad pair well with?

It’s excellent with grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, steak, burgers, grilled vegetables, gyros, or Mediterranean bowls.

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 Quick Recipe Card

 Creamy Cucumber Salad

Prep: 15 minutes
Chill: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 4–6

Flavor: Creamy + tangy + garlicky + fresh dill
Low-carb: 
Keto-friendly: 
Gluten-free: 
Vegetarian: 
Nut-free as written: 
No-cook: 
Meal-prep friendly: