Creamy Cucumber Salad is a classic Midwest side dish made with crisp cucumbers, sour cream, fresh dill, and just a splash of vinegar. It’s cool, tangy, and the perfect simple side for summer dinners, cookouts, and potlucks.
If you’ve ever been to a church picnic, family reunion, or backyard barbecue in the Midwest, chances are you’ve seen a bowl of creamy cucumber salad on the table. It’s one of those recipes that never really goes out of style.
This version keeps things simple with sour cream, fresh dill, and a little sugar to balance the tangy dressing. It’s easy to make, refreshing on a hot day, and pairs perfectly with grilled meats.
Pick this recipe if:
- You need a quick side dish for a cookout
- Your garden is overflowing with cucumbers (or someone left a bag on your porch, front seat, or kitchen counter)
It's too hot to turn on the oven - You need something easy for a potluck
- You're tired of the same old pasta salad
If you prefer a lighter, vinegar-based version, try my marinated cucumbers and onions.
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🛒 Ingredients
- cucumbers - Fresh cucumbers are the star of the show. English cucumbers or garden cucumbers both work well.
- sour cream - Creates the creamy base for the dressing.
- vinegar - white vinegar or apple cider vinegar adds brightness.
- sugar - Just a little balances the tanginess of the sour cream and vinegar.
- fresh dill - Fresh dill adds classic cucumber salad flavor. Dried dill can be used if needed.
- red onion - Thinly sliced red onion adds color and a little bite. Sweet onion also works well.
How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Slice the cucumbers. Slice cucumbers into thin rounds and place them in a colander or bowl.
- Salt cucumbers. Sprinkle the cucumber slices with salt and let them sit for about 20–30 minutes. This helps pull out excess moisture so the salad doesn’t become watery.
Drain the liquid and gently pat the cucumbers dry with paper towels.
- Make the dressing. In a medium bowl, stir together the sour cream, vinegar, sugar, dill, salt, and pepper.
- Combine. Add the cucumbers (and onion if using) and gently toss until coated in the dressing.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to come together.
Tip: If your cucumbers are extra juicy (garden ones especially), give them a quick pat with a paper towel after draining. It keeps the dressing nice and creamy instead of watered down.
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Top Tips for the Best Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Salt the cucumbers first. This simple step is key for removing excess moisture so the dressing stays creamy instead of watery.
- Don't rinse the cucumbers. Just drain them and pat dry after salting. Rinsing can dilute the flavor.
- Use fresh dill if possible. Fresh dill gives the salad the best flavor, but dried dill works in a pinch.
- Add lemon for brightness. A small squeeze of lemon juice at the end can brighten the flavors even more.
This recipe serves about 6 people as a side dish and can easily be doubled for potlucks, family reunions, and backyard cookouts.
What to Serve With Cucumber Salad
Creamy cucumber salad is a classic summer side dish that goes well with:
- grilled burgers
- bratwurst
- barbecue chicken
- pulled pork sandwiches
- grilled steak
It’s also a great addition to potlucks and picnic spreads. This is the kind of bowl that shows up at every summer gathering—and disappears fast.
Looking for another cool summer side? My Watermelon Feta Salad is another cookout favorite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Salt the cucumbers first and let them sit for about 20–30 minutes. This pulls excess moisture out before adding the dressing, which helps keep the salad creamy.
It depends on the type of cucumber. If using English cucumbers or thin-skinned garden cucumbers, peeling usually isn’t necessary. For thicker-skinned cucumbers, peeling can improve texture.
Yes. It can be made several hours ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Give it a quick stir before serving.
Creamy cucumber salad is best eaten within 2-3 days. After that, the cucumbers start to release more moisture and soften.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to know what you think! Leave a ⭐ star rating and review below. It helps other readers and makes my day! 😉
More Summer Vegetable Dishes
Looking for other cool sides for summertime? Try these:
Recipe
Creamy Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream and Dill
Ingredients
Method
- Thinly slice 3-4 cups sliced cucumbers. Toss with a pinch of salt and let them sit in a strainer for 20 minutes. Drain off any liquid the cucumbers have released.
- In a bowl, mix ½ cup sour cream, 2 Tablespoons white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1-2 Tablespoons fresh dill, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Add the drained cucumbers and ¼ cup red onion and stir to combine.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Farm Girl Tips
- Salting the cucumbers first prevents the salad from becoming watery.
- Fresh dill provides the best flavor, but dried dill can be used.
- A small squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the dressing.
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