This Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad is a quick and incredibly satisfying side dish that brings a burst of fresh flavor to any meal. Its creamy dressing and crisp veggies make it a go-to for picnics, barbecues, and weeknight dinners alike.
Key Ingredients for Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Optional: A pinch of garlic powder
How to Make Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad
This Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad is a testament to simplicity and flavor, taking less than 20 minutes to prepare. Its delightful creaminess, balanced by the crisp crunch of fresh vegetables, offers a satisfying culinary experience. The prep time is incredibly brief, making it ideal for busy schedules.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Cucumbers: Wash and thinly slice the two large cucumbers. For a cleaner taste and to reduce excess moisture that can dilute the dressing, you can optionally salt the cucumber slices. Place them in a colander, sprinkle with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and let them sit for about 15-20 minutes. This process, called “sweating,” draws out excess water. After 15-20 minutes, rinse the cucumber slices thoroughly under cold water and pat them very dry with paper towels.
- Prepare the Onion: Wash and thinly slice the half medium red onion. If you find raw red onion too pungent, you can soak the sliced onion in ice water for about 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry. This helps to mellow its sharp flavor.
- Make the Creamy Dressing: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the sour cream and mayonnaise. Stir these together until they are well incorporated and form a smooth, creamy base.
- Add Flavor Enhancers: To the sour cream and mayonnaise mixture, add the chopped fresh dill, white vinegar, and granulated sugar. Stir in the salt and black pepper. If you enjoy a subtle hint of garlic, you can add a pinch of garlic powder at this stage. Mix everything thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly distributed and the dressing is smooth. Taste the dressing and adjust salt, pepper, or sugar as needed.
- Combine Ingredients: Gently add the prepared cucumber slices and red onion slices to the bowl with the creamy dressing.
- Toss to Coat: Using a spoon or spatula, carefully toss the cucumbers and onions with the dressing, ensuring that every slice is generously coated. Be gentle to avoid breaking the cucumber slices.
- Chill and Serve: Once everything is well combined, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate the Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together and the salad to become refreshingly cold.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad
You’ll absolutely fall in love with this Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad for its incredibly refreshing taste and wonderfully smooth texture. The star of this dish is its luscious, tangy dressing, a perfect harmony of sour cream, mayonnaise, and fresh dill that coats every crisp cucumber slice. It’s a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative to store-bought salads, offering superior freshness and flavor that you can whip up in your own kitchen for a fraction of the cost.
The delicate balance of sweetness from the sugar, tang from the vinegar, and the aromatic hint of dill makes this salad truly special, elevating it beyond a simple cucumber side. It’s a refreshing change from heavier potato salads or coleslaws, offering a lighter yet equally satisfying option. So why wait? Give this delightful Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad a try today and impress your friends and family with its simple elegance and amazing flavor!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad is straightforward, but it’s important to remember that its freshness is best enjoyed within a few days.
- Refrigeration: Once prepared, store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days. The creaminess of the dressing helps to preserve the cucumbers, but they will naturally start to soften over time.
- Freezing: Freezing this Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad is not recommended. The high water content of the cucumbers, combined with the dairy-based dressing, will result in a mushy and separated texture upon thawing, significantly compromising the quality.
- Reheating: This salad is best served cold, so reheating is not necessary or advisable. If it has been in the refrigerator for several days and the cucumbers are a bit soft, you can try draining off any excess liquid and gently tossing it again. If you find it needs a fresher bite, consider adding a few freshly sliced cucumbers and a touch more dressing before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad is a delightful symphony of fresh flavors and creamy textures, perfect for any occasion. It’s incredibly easy to make and a wonderful way to add a light, refreshing side to your meals. Give this recipe a try; you won’t be disappointed!
Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Wash and thinly slice the two large cucumbers. For a cleaner taste and to reduce excess moisture that can dilute the dressing, you can optionally salt the cucumber slices. Place them in a colander, sprinkle with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and let them sit for about 15-20 minutes. This process, called “sweating,” draws out excess water. After 15-20 minutes, rinse the cucumber slices thoroughly under cold water and pat them very dry with paper towels.2 large cucumbers, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Wash and thinly slice the half medium red onion. If you find raw red onion too pungent, you can soak the sliced onion in ice water for about 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry. This helps to mellow its sharp flavor.1/2 medium red onion
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the sour cream and mayonnaise. Stir these together until they are well incorporated and form a smooth, creamy base.1 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- To the sour cream and mayonnaise mixture, add the chopped fresh dill, white vinegar, and granulated sugar. Stir in the salt and black pepper. If you enjoy a subtle hint of garlic, you can add a pinch of garlic powder at this stage. Mix everything thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly distributed and the dressing is smooth. Taste the dressing and adjust salt, pepper, or sugar as needed.2 tablespoons fresh dill, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, A pinch garlic powder
- Gently add the prepared cucumber slices and red onion slices to the bowl with the creamy dressing.2 large cucumbers, 1/2 medium red onion, 1 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons fresh dill, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, A pinch garlic powder
- Using a spoon or spatula, carefully toss the cucumbers and onions with the dressing, ensuring that every slice is generously coated. Be gentle to avoid breaking the cucumber slices.2 large cucumbers, 1/2 medium red onion, 1 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons fresh dill, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, A pinch garlic powder
- Once everything is well combined, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate the Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together and the salad to become refreshingly cold.