Creamy Cucumber Salad with Greek Yogurt and Dill

You’ll love this classic creamy cucumber salad — a cool, refreshing side for hot summer days. Crisp cucumber slices, sweet red onion and fresh dill are folded into a tangy sour cream and mayo dressing for a simple salad that’s ready in minutes and tastes even better after a short chill.

Serve this easy summer salad as a side dish alongside grilled meats, seafood or burgers, or bring it to potlucks and picnics. It’s light, inexpensive and kid-friendly while delivering a nice boost of vitamins from the cucumbers.

Why this recipe works

This creamy cucumber salad is a fast, reliable way to add a fresh green to any meal. The mild, crunchy cucumber and sweet red onion balance the creamy, tangy dressing so the flavors remain bright. It pairs well with fried fish, barbecue ribs, burgers or hot dogs and complements grilled proteins and summer sides.

• This recipe uses fresh, natural ingredients for a clean flavor.
• The dressing is simple — mayonnaise, sour cream and a splash of vinegar — no fancy pantry items required.
• Easy to make ahead: the salad benefits from time in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld.
• Healthy and light: cucumbers add vitamins while keeping the salad low in calories when served in moderation.
• Affordable and versatile — the basic recipe scales easily for larger crowds.

Here’s what you’ll need

Gather a firm English (seedless) cucumber or any crisp slicing cucumber, one large sweet red onion, mayonnaise and sour cream for the creamy base, a tablespoon of vinegar (white or apple cider), fresh dill (or dried), a little sugar if you like it slightly sweet, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Optional extras include radishes or cherry tomatoes for color and texture.

I used one long English cucumber, which yielded about 2½–3 cups of sliced cucumber. If you prefer a firmer texture, slice the cucumbers thinly with a mandoline or a sharp knife, then drain them briefly on a paper towel.

How to make it

This salad is easiest to make in a few simple steps and tastes best after resting in the fridge for a while.

1. Thinly slice the cucumber (about 1/8″ slices) and arrange them on a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Peeling is optional.
2. Thinly slice the red onion and add it to a large mixing bowl with the cucumbers.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, dill, garlic powder and sugar (if using). Taste and adjust the seasonings.
4. Toss some of the dressing with the sliced vegetables until coated. Add more dressing if you prefer a creamier salad. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes; 1–2 hours yields the best flavor.
5. Before serving, season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with a slotted spoon so excess liquid stays behind.

What type of cucumber

Most grocery stores carry regular slicing cucumbers and English cucumbers. English cucumbers are long, slender and typically seedless; they are often sold wrapped in plastic. Regular garden or slicing cucumbers work well too, and some markets may also offer Persian, Armenian or Lebanese varieties that are similar in texture to English cucumbers.

Variations and Substitutions

This salad is forgiving — swap or omit ingredients based on what you have:

• Replace mayonnaise with plain yogurt or Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter dressing.
• Try white distilled vinegar, rice vinegar or white wine vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar; adjust the amount to taste.
• Add halved cherry or grape tomatoes for color and sweetness.
• Top with roasted sunflower seeds or sesame seeds for extra crunch.
• Use green onions or white onion if you don’t have red onion.
• Substitute dried dill for fresh dill if necessary (use roughly half the amount of dried).

This creamy cucumber salad is refreshing, easy to prepare and pairs beautifully with grilled or fried fish, barbecued meats and lighter mains. It’s a go-to side for summer gatherings and simple weeknight meals alike.

More salad recipes

• Easy Chicken Salad
• Broccoli Crunch Salad
• Classic Egg Salad
• Traditional Tuna Salad
• Seafood Cobb Salad
• Crunchy Asian Salad

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating — feedback is always appreciated!