Creamy Cucumber Salad

A creamy cucumber salad is always a perfect pairing, whether you are cooking up low and slow barbecue or spicy Cajun fried chicken. This cucumber salad borrows from the Eastern European sour cream-based salads, with some mayo added for pure Southern flair. We use Duke's, but any mayo you love will work fine here. If you want a version that is a little lighter, swap in Greek yogurt for the sour cream. It adds a tangy twist you don't get from Duke's or Hellman's.

Learn how to make creamy cucumber salad. You can make it in advance, but it is at its peak if eaten within four hours. If you do make ahead, be prepared for the cucumbers to soften and the dressing to get a little watery, but it will still be delicious.

Creamy Cucumber Salad Ingredients

We keep the ingredient list simple but high flavored:

• Cucumbers: We make this cucumber salad with English or seedless cucumbers, which tend be sweeter and less watery than standard Kirbys.
• Vidalia onions: Sweet Vidalia onions aren't as aggressive as red or white onions.
• Sour cream and mayonnaise: The creamy element of this creamy cucumber salad. We like the combination of the two for richness and texture.
• White wine vinegar: Adds a wonderful tang to cut through the sour cream and mayonnaise for a bit of bite.
• Sugar: Rounds out the vinegar and keeps it from being too sour.
• Dill: Adds a touch of herbal freshness.
• Salt and pepper: For seasoning.

How To Make Creamy Cucumber Salad

Besides a 30-minute wait for the cucumbers and onions to release some water, this creamy cucumber salad comes together quickly (i.e. very little hands-on time).

• Step 1. Salt the vegetables: Salting cucumbers and onions helps to draw out their water. In a large bowl, sprinkle kosher salt all over the cucumber and onion slices, toss gently, and empty into a colander in the sink or over a bowl. Let sit for about 30 minutes. The water will drain out of the cucumbers and into the bowl. Discard the water.
• Step 2. Make the dressing: Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, some salt, and black pepper. Mix well, then fold in fresh minced dill. Set aside.
• Step 3. Pat vegetables dry: Use a lint-free towel or paper towel. This will help remove any water that is beaded up on the surface of the slices. If you have time, spread them out on a baking pan lined with a paper towel.
• Step 4. Combine dressing and cucumbers: Pour the cucumbers and onions into a large bowl. Add the dressing into the bowl with the vegetables. Gently stir to combine. Sprinkle with remaining dill, and immediately serve, or chill in the refrigerator until time to serve.

Variations for Creamy Cucumber Salad

Once you've tried this classic creamy cucumber salad, consider one of these ways to change it up a bit:

• Make more dressing: If you like your cucumber salads extra creamy, consider doubling the dressing. As is, this recipe results in perfectly gilded cucumber coins and onion pieces, but there's no harm in boosting the creamy factor. It is creamy cucumber salad after all. Splurge a little.
• Try without dill: You can also skip the dill if you want, or if you don't have any on hand. It's the perfect herb for bringing freshness to the final dish, but the tangy bite of mayo and vinegar works well without it.
• Add tomatoes: If you plan to serve this salad quickly, consider adding in some tomato slices, too. While we really love this Marinated Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad for the summer vegetable trifecta, we wouldn't be opposed to a creamy version like this.
  

What We Love About This Creamy Cucumber Salad

Besides being a refreshing side dish on hot summer days, there are other reasons to love this cucumber salad:

• Simple and quick to prepare; the longest task is waiting on the cucumbers to release water.
• Ingredients are inexpensive and likely already in your pantry and fridge.
• Goes great with a variety of dishes and is family-friendly for parties, barbecues, tailgates, and picnics.

Can You Make Creamy Cucumber Salad Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make this creamy cucumber salad in advance, but there will be some costs: The cucumbers will release more water while they rest, meaning you'll have a watery dressing and soggy cucumbers. That isn't all bad. Some people like this texture.

While you can make this salad up to four days in advance, we wouldn't recommend making it more than 24 hours before you plan to serve it.

More Cucumber Salads

Look no further than these refreshing cucumbers salads if you have a bounty of cukes to use up:

• Marinated Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad
• Cucumber-and-Vidalia-Onion Salad
  
• Smashed-Cucumber Salad
• Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad
• Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad

Editorial contributions by Kimberly Holland.