Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

This Creamy Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that’s perfect for warm-weather gatherings or as a cool side for hearty meals.

Featuring crisp cucumbers, sweet onions, and a creamy dill dressing, it strikes the perfect balance between tangy and savory.

Simple to prepare and requiring just a handful of pantry staples, this salad is a crowd-pleaser that adds a touch of elegance to any table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Refreshing and Light: The crisp cucumbers and creamy dressing create a refreshing and satisfying dish, perfect for hot days or as a palate cleanser.

Simple and Quick: With minimal preparation and a few staple ingredients, this salad is an easy addition to any meal.

Customizable: It’s versatile—add tomatoes, adjust the seasoning, or experiment with fresh herbs to suit your preferences.

Great for Gatherings: This make-ahead dish is perfect for picnics, barbecues, or potlucks, as it tastes even better after chilling.

Balanced Flavor: The tangy vinegar, sweet onion, and savory dill blend beautifully, making every bite delicious.

Key Ingredients:

English Cucumbers: Thinly sliced, providing a crisp, fresh texture.

Vidalia Onion: A sweet onion that balances the tanginess of the dressing.

Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the dressing that coats the cucumbers.

Vinegar: Adds a tangy kick that brightens the salad.

Dried Dill Weed: For that classic dill flavor that complements the cucumbers.

Garlic Powder & Black Pepper: For seasoning and adding depth to the dressing.

Sugar: A touch of sweetness that balances the acidity of the vinegar.

Optional Tomatoes: For added color and flavor, though not essential.

Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

2 thinly sliced English cucumbers

1 tablespoon salt

1 thinly sliced Vidalia onion or other sweet variety

1½ cups mayonnaise

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoons vinegar

1 teaspoon dried dill weed

1 tablespoon white sugar

1 teaspoon garlic powder

optional: tomatoes

Instructions:

Put the cucumbers in a bowl with the salt and onion.

Stir, cover with plastic wrap and leave it to sit for half an hour.

Pour the cucumber mixture into a colander and let it sit over the sink for another half an hour to drain.

Transfer the cucumber mixture into a bowl.

Whisk the mayo, vinegar, dill weed, sugar, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture and stir to coat.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, chill for 2 hours, then serve.

Notes:

Cucumber Texture: Allowing the cucumbers and onions to sit with salt helps draw out excess moisture, ensuring the salad remains crisp rather than watery.

Chilling Time: Chilling the salad for at least 2 hours enhances the flavors as the dressing has time to meld with the cucumbers and onions.

Sweetness Adjustment: Depending on your taste, you can adjust the amount of sugar to make the salad sweeter or more tangy, balancing it with the vinegar.

Additions: Feel free to add extra vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, or radishes for additional color and flavor, although the classic version sticks to cucumbers and onions.

Alternative Dressings: For a lighter version, you can substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or sour cream to reduce the creaminess.

Cucumber Variants: English cucumbers are preferred due to their thin skins and minimal seeds, but regular cucumbers can also be used if peeled and seeded.

Serving Suggestions: This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, seafood, or as a refreshing side dish at BBQs and picnics.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 350 calories | Total Fat: 36 grams | Saturated Fat: 6 grams. | Cholesterol: 20 milligrams. | Sodium: 600 milligrams. | Total Carbohydrates: 6 grams. | Dietary Fiber: 1 gram. | Sugars: 4 grams. | Protein: 1 gram.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why do you need to salt the cucumbers and let them sit for half an hour?

Salting the cucumbers helps draw out excess moisture, which can make the salad watery.

This step also enhances the flavor of the cucumbers and softens them slightly.

Can I use regular cucumbers instead of English cucumbers?

Yes, you can use regular cucumbers, but you may want to peel and deseed them since they tend to have thicker skins and more seeds.

English cucumbers are often preferred for their thinner skin and fewer seeds.

What type of vinegar is best for this salad?

White vinegar or white wine vinegar works well in this recipe.

They provide a mild acidity that complements the creamy dressing without overpowering the other flavors.

Is there a substitute for mayonnaise for a lighter option?

If you want a lighter alternative to mayonnaise, you can use Greek yogurt or sour cream.

This will give the salad a slightly tangier flavor and reduce the calorie content.

Can I make this salad in advance and store it in the refrigerator?

Yes, you can prepare the Creamy Cucumber Salad in advance and store it in the refrigerator.

It’s actually recommended to chill it for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Just cover it with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

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