Creamy Cucumber Cheese Salad is a refreshing and incredibly easy side dish that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a simple weeknight meal. This delightful salad offers a creamy texture with a delightful cheesy tang, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Key Ingredients for Creamy Cucumber Cheese Salad
- Cucumbers: 2 large English cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced (about 6 cups)
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup, shredded
- Cream Cheese: 4 ounces, softened
- Sour Cream: 1/2 cup
- Mayonnaise: 1/4 cup
- Fresh Dill: 2 tablespoons, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tablespoon
- Granulated Sugar: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon (or to taste)
- Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon (or to taste)
- Optional Toppings: Paprika, chives, or extra shredded cheddar cheese
How to Make Creamy Cucumber Cheese Salad
This Creamy Cucumber Cheese Salad is remarkably simple to whip up, promising a delicious and satisfying experience without any complicated steps. Its velvety dressing coats crisp cucumbers and savory cheese, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Ready in just 20 minutes, this salad is a testament to how a few quality ingredients can create something truly special.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Cucumbers: Begin by washing your English cucumbers thoroughly. Peel them using a vegetable peeler, then slice them thinly. Aim for consistent thickness for even distribution and texture throughout the salad. You can slice them directly into a large mixing bowl.
- Drain Excess Moisture (Optional but Recommended): For a less watery salad, it’s a good idea to salt your sliced cucumbers and let them sit for about 15-20 minutes. This process, called “salting out,” draws out excess moisture. After they’ve rested, gently press the cucumber slices with paper towels to absorb any released liquid. Discard the paper towels and return any drained liquid to your bowl.
- Make the Creamy Dressing: In a separate medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Whisk these ingredients together until they are smooth and well incorporated. Ensure there are no lumps of cream cheese remaining.
- Add Flavor and Seasoning to the Dressing: To the creamy base, add the chopped fresh dill, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly distributed and the dressing is thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary; you might want a little more salt or a touch more vinegar for tang.
- Combine Cucumbers and Dressing: Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the sliced cucumbers in the large mixing bowl. Gently toss the cucumbers and dressing together, ensuring that each slice is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Add the Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the cucumber and dressing mixture. Gently fold the cheese into the salad, taking care not to overmix, which could break down the cucumbers further. You want distinct pieces of cheese throughout.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate the Creamy Cucumber Cheese Salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and the salad to reach its optimal refreshing temperature.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Before serving, give the salad a final gentle stir. Garnish with extra chopped fresh dill, a sprinkle of paprika for color, or a little more shredded cheddar cheese if desired. Serve chilled.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Cucumber Cheese Salad
You will adore this Creamy Cucumber Cheese Salad for its incredibly light and refreshing profile, a welcome contrast to heavier side dishes. Its star feature is the luscious, creamy dressing that perfectly complements the crisp crunch of the cucumbers, creating a sensation that’s both satisfying and wonderfully light. Unlike store-bought options, making this salad at home is remarkably budget-friendly; you control the ingredients, ensuring freshness and superior flavor without the premium price tag. The delightful combination of sharp cheddar cheese and fresh dill adds a savory depth that elevates it beyond a simple vegetable salad, making it a standout addition to any meal.
This salad is a delightful alternative to classic potato salad, offering a vibrant and zesty twist that’s perfect for warmer weather or lighter meals. The simplicity of its preparation means you can whip it up in minutes, making it an ideal last-minute dish for unexpected guests or a quick addition to your weekly meal prep. Its versatility also shines, as it pairs beautifully with grilled meats, sandwiches, or as a delightful appetizer. Don’t just take our word for it; try this Creamy Cucumber Cheese Salad at home and discover your new favorite summer side dish!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing your Creamy Cucumber Cheese Salad will ensure it stays fresh and delicious for your next meal. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days when stored correctly. Due to the cucumber’s high water content and the creamy dressing, this salad is best enjoyed cold and is not recommended for freezing. Freezing can alter the texture of the cucumbers and the creaminess of the dressing, leading to a watery and less appealing result upon thawing. If you find the dressing has thickened slightly after refrigeration, you can stir in a tablespoon of milk or sour cream to loosen it up before serving again.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Cucumber Cheese Salad is the epitome of simple, delicious, and refreshing. Its creamy texture and bright flavors make it a versatile and satisfying addition to any meal. We encourage you to give this delightful recipe a try; it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Creamy Cucumber Cheese Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by washing your English cucumbers thoroughly. Peel them using a vegetable peeler, then slice them thinly. Aim for consistent thickness for even distribution and texture throughout the salad. You can slice them directly into a large mixing bowl.2 large English cucumbers
- For a less watery salad, it’s a good idea to salt your sliced cucumbers and let them sit for about 15-20 minutes. This process, called “salting out,” draws out excess moisture. After they’ve rested, gently press the cucumber slices with paper towels to absorb any released liquid. Discard the paper towels and return any drained liquid to your bowl.2 large English cucumbers
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Whisk these ingredients together until they are smooth and well incorporated. Ensure there are no lumps of cream cheese remaining.4 ounces Cream Cheese, 1/2 cup Sour Cream, 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
- To the creamy base, add the chopped fresh dill, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly distributed and the dressing is thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary; you might want a little more salt or a touch more vinegar for tang.2 tablespoons Fresh Dill, 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 teaspoon Granulated Sugar, 1/2 teaspoon Salt, 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the sliced cucumbers in the large mixing bowl. Gently toss the cucumbers and dressing together, ensuring that each slice is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.2 large English cucumbers
- Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the cucumber and dressing mixture. Gently fold the cheese into the salad, taking care not to overmix, which could break down the cucumbers further. You want distinct pieces of cheese throughout.1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 2 large English cucumbers
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate the Creamy Cucumber Cheese Salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and the salad to reach its optimal refreshing temperature.
- Before serving, give the salad a final gentle stir. Garnish with extra chopped fresh dill, a sprinkle of paprika for color, or a little more shredded cheddar cheese if desired. Serve chilled.2 tablespoons Fresh Dill, 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Optional Toppings