Growing up, a salad much like this creamy cucumber one was a staple at our family table, often prepared by my grandma. It was always a favorite—light, healthy, and wonderfully refreshing, especially during those hot summer months. If you have an abundance of fresh cucumbers from your garden or a farmers market haul, this recipe is the perfect way to utilize them!

The original version from my childhood sometimes included tomatoes, similar to this Cucumber Tomato Yogurt Salad. You can easily incorporate sliced cherry tomatoes or chopped Roma tomatoes into this recipe if you enjoy that added burst of color and flavor. This versatile and delicious cucumber salad is a fantastic choice for a quick lunch, a satisfying meal prep option for the week, or an elegant pairing with your favorite main dishes.

Cucumbers have always been one of my absolute favorite vegetables. Their crisp texture and mild, cooling flavor make them incredibly versatile. I love them in all forms: thinly sliced in salads, as a crunchy component on a vibrant veggie tray, tucked into a fresh pita sandwich, or adding a refreshing bite to a rice bowl.

There’s something uniquely satisfying about the combination of crisp, cool cucumber slices mingling with a rich, creamy, and herb-infused dressing. This delightful marriage of textures and flavors creates an incredibly refreshing experience that elevates a simple vegetable into a truly memorable dish.

My love for cucumbers extends to many of my go-to recipes, where they add a delightful crunch and freshness. You’ll find them featured prominently in this Tomato Cucumber Feta Quinoa Salad, providing balance in Kale Cucumber Tabbouleh, bringing a refreshing element to Asian Cucumber Noodle Salad, enhancing the briny capers in this Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Capers, and as a core component of this Easy Lebanese Salad. Each recipe highlights the incredible adaptability of this humble vegetable.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad

• Simply Refreshing: The cool, crisp cucumbers and tangy dressing make this salad incredibly invigorating, especially on a hot day.
• Effortlessly Delicious: With minimal prep and straightforward steps, you can create a flavorful side dish that tastes like it took hours.
• Potluck & BBQ Favorite: It’s a crowd-pleaser that holds up well at outdoor gatherings and complements a wide range of grilled foods.
• Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with fresh vegetables and a Greek yogurt-based dressing, it’s a lighter alternative to traditional creamy salads.
• Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt the ingredients to suit your taste preferences or whatever fresh produce you have on hand.
• A Touch of Nostalgia: For many, this classic salad evokes cherished memories of family meals and childhood summers.

Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Cucumber Salad

Crafting this delicious salad requires just a handful of fresh and simple ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your pantry or refrigerator. Here’s a closer look at what we’ll be using. For precise measurements and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the detailed recipe card further down the page.

• Fresh Vegetables: The star of the show, of course, is the cucumber. I prefer using crisp English cucumbers because of their thinner skin and fewer seeds, which means no need for peeling. Regular garden cucumbers work wonderfully too, just be sure to peel them if their skin is thick or waxy. A thinly sliced red onion adds a mild, sharp bite and beautiful color, though white or yellow onions can be used as a substitute if that’s what you have on hand.
• The Creamy Dressing: The heart of this salad lies in its irresistibly creamy and balanced dressing. It’s made with plain Greek yogurt, which provides a rich, tangy base and a healthy dose of protein. White vinegar adds a bright, zesty kick, while a touch of honey (or a pinch of sugar) balances the tanginess and enhances the overall flavor profile. Minced garlic, or a hint of garlic powder, introduces a savory depth that ties everything together. This combination creates a dressing that is both light and satisfying.
• Fresh Herbs: A generous medley of fresh herbs is crucial for that vibrant, herbaceous note that defines a classic creamy cucumber salad. Fresh dill is non-negotiable for its distinctive, slightly anise-like flavor that pairs perfectly with cucumbers. Fresh parsley adds a bright, clean taste, and chives provide a delicate oniony hint without overpowering the other flavors. Feel free to experiment with other fresh herbs like mint or basil for a different twist, but dill is truly the star here.

Each of these components plays a vital role in creating a salad that is not only delicious but also visually appealing and incredibly satisfying. The simplicity of the ingredients allows the fresh flavors to truly shine.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Perfect Creamy Cucumber Salad

Making this creamy cucumber salad is incredibly straightforward, but a few key steps ensure a perfectly crisp and flavorful result. Follow these instructions for a truly refreshing experience:

Step 1: Prepare and “Sweat” the Cucumbers. Begin by thinly slicing your cucumbers. A mandoline slicer is ideal for achieving uniform, delicate slices, but a sharp knife works just as well. Place the sliced cucumbers into a large mixing bowl. Evenly sprinkle 2 teaspoons of kosher salt over the cucumbers, toss gently to coat, and let them sit for at least 30 minutes. This crucial step draws out excess moisture from the cucumbers, preventing your salad from becoming watery and ensuring a delightfully crisp texture.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Creamy Dressing. While your cucumbers are “sweating,” prepare the delicious dressing. In a separate medium-sized bowl, a mason jar, or a dedicated salad dressing container, combine all the dressing ingredients: plain Greek yogurt, white distilled vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and sugar. Whisk thoroughly until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt or freshly ground black pepper to your preference.

Step 3: Dry the Cucumbers for Optimal Texture. After the 30-minute resting period, you’ll notice a significant amount of liquid at the bottom of the bowl with the cucumbers. Stir the cucumbers briefly, then carefully drain all the accumulated liquid. To ensure the cucumbers are as dry as possible, transfer them to a clean kitchen towel or layer of paper towels and gently pat them dry. This step is vital for the dressing to adhere properly and maintain the salad’s creamy consistency. Once dry, return the cucumbers to the large mixing bowl.

Step 4: Combine and Chill for Flavor Infusion. To the dried cucumbers, add the thinly sliced red onion. Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the vegetables and stir gently but thoroughly, ensuring every cucumber slice is coated. Finally, fold in the fresh parsley, dill, chopped green onions, and chives (if using). Give it another taste test and adjust salt and black pepper one last time. For the best flavor and texture, cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for 1 to 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the salad to chill completely. If you’re short on time, it can be served immediately, but chilling truly enhances the experience.

Serving Suggestions & Perfect Pairings

This creamy cucumber salad is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a wide array of main courses. Its refreshing nature provides a wonderful contrast to richer or spicier dishes. Here are some ideas for how to serve it:

• Grilled Meats: It’s a classic accompaniment to grilled chicken, pork chops, steak, or fish. The coolness of the salad cuts through the richness of grilled proteins.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: Serve it alongside your favorite deli sandwiches, pulled pork sliders, or wraps for a complete and satisfying lunch.
• BBQ Spreads: An absolute must for any BBQ! It complements hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and grilled vegetables perfectly.
• Picnics and Potlucks: Its robust flavors and ability to travel well make it ideal for outdoor gatherings.
• Mediterranean Meals: Serve it with falafel, gyros, or other Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
• Light Lunch: For a simple, healthy lunch, enjoy a generous portion on its own or with a slice of crusty bread.

Expert Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

To ensure your creamy cucumber salad stays delicious and maintains its best texture, proper storage is key. Here’s how to handle it:

• Refrigeration: Always store the salad in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator. This not only keeps it fresh but also prevents it from absorbing other odors in your fridge. While it’s best enjoyed within 1-2 days, it can typically last up to 3-4 days. Be aware that cucumbers will continue to release moisture over time, which may make the salad slightly more watery the longer it sits.
• Preventing Soggy Salad: If you plan to make the salad more than a few hours ahead of time, consider storing the prepared dressing and the salted/dried cucumbers separately. Mix them together just before serving to ensure the cucumbers remain as crisp as possible and the dressing maintains its optimal consistency. If you notice excess liquid after storing, gently drain it or stir the salad to redistribute before serving.
• Freezing: Creamy cucumber salad does not freeze well due to the high water content of cucumbers and the dairy in the dressing, which can separate and become unappetizing upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh and chilled.

For beautifully even slices that absorb the dressing consistently, a mandoline slicer is your best friend. It creates thin, uniform rounds with minimal effort. If you don’t have one, a sharp chef’s knife and a steady hand will also do the trick.

The secret to a crisp, non-soggy creamy cucumber salad lies in the “sweating” process. Lightly salt your cucumber slices and let them sit for 15–30 minutes. This crucial step draws out excess moisture, preventing the salad from becoming watery later. After draining the liquid, gently pat the cucumbers thoroughly with paper towels to remove any remaining surface moisture. This extra step ensures a thicker, creamier dressing and a perfectly crisp salad. If, after storage, the salad has released more water, simply drain or give it a gentle stir before serving to improve its texture and flavor.

Absolutely! This salad is best served well chilled. After mixing all the ingredients, refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes, or ideally 1 to 2 hours. This chilling period allows the flavors to fully meld together and the cucumbers to thoroughly soak up the delicious, tangy dressing, resulting in a much more enjoyable and refreshing experience.

While you can use regular plain yogurt, Greek yogurt is highly recommended. Greek yogurt is much thicker and creamier, which contributes to a richer, less watery dressing. If you use regular yogurt, you might find the dressing to be thinner, and it may require a longer chilling time for the flavors to develop properly. You could also strain regular yogurt through a coffee filter or cheesecloth for an hour or two to thicken it.

English cucumbers are often preferred for this salad because of their thin skin (no need to peel!) and minimal seeds, which also means less water content. Persian cucumbers are another excellent choice for similar reasons. If using standard garden cucumbers, it’s generally best to peel them and, if they have large seeds, you might consider scooping them out before slicing to reduce wateriness and improve texture.