Creamy Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and effortlessly delicious side dish that’s perfect for any occasion, offering a delightful balance of cool crunch and creamy indulgence that’s surprisingly easy to whip up.
Key Ingredients for Creamy Cucumber Salad:
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad:
This Creamy Cucumber Salad is a culinary dream come true for those seeking a quick, delicious, and satisfying side dish. Its simplicity belies its rich, creamy texture and bright, fresh flavors, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With a preparation time of just 15 minutes, it’s the perfect last-minute addition to any meal.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Prepare the Cucumbers: Begin by washing your cucumbers thoroughly. For optimal texture, you can peel the cucumbers if you prefer, though it’s not strictly necessary. Slice the cucumbers into thin, uniform rounds. A mandoline slicer is excellent for achieving consistent thinness, but a sharp knife will also do the trick. Place the sliced cucumbers in a colander set over a bowl. Sprinkle them with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This crucial step draws out excess moisture, preventing a watery salad and ensuring each slice retains a delightful crispness. Let the cucumbers sit and drain for at least 15-20 minutes, pressing down occasionally.
Make the Creamy Dressing: While the cucumbers are draining, prepare the creamy dressing. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the sour cream and mayonnaise. Whisk them together until smooth and well incorporated. This forms the luscious base of our dressing.
Add Flavor to the Dressing: To the sour cream and mayonnaise mixture, add the finely chopped fresh dill and chives. These fresh herbs are integral to the salad’s vibrant flavor profile. Stir in the white vinegar for a touch of tang, the sugar to balance the acidity, and a generous pinch of black pepper. Mix everything until all the ingredients are evenly distributed and the dressing is beautifully creamy. Taste the dressing and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Remember, the cucumbers will release more liquid, so a slightly more seasoned dressing at this stage is often beneficial.
Combine and Chill: Once the cucumbers have drained, gently pat them dry with paper towels to remove any residual moisture. Discard the liquid that has collected in the bowl. Add the drained and dried cucumber slices to the bowl with the creamy dressing. Carefully toss the cucumbers to ensure each slice is evenly coated with the delicious dressing.
Chill the Salad: For the best flavor and texture, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate the Creamy Cucumber Salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and the cucumbers to absorb some of the creamy dressing, enhancing their refreshing coolness.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Cucumber Salad:
This Creamy Cucumber Salad is an absolute winner because of its incredibly refreshing crunch, perfectly balanced by a lusciously smooth, tangy dressing. It’s the kind of dish that screams summer picnic or comforting potluck, offering a lighter yet equally satisfying alternative to heavier potato or pasta salads. Plus, making it at home means you can control the quality of ingredients and ditch the preservatives, saving you money while ensuring superior taste. The vibrant pops of fresh dill and chives add an herbaceous punch that elevates this simple salad from ordinary to extraordinary.
Imagine crisp, cool cucumber slices swimming in a velvety, herb-infused dressing. It’s the ultimate thirst-quencher and palate-cleanser, making it the ideal accompaniment to grilled meats, spicy dishes, or simply enjoyed on its own for a light lunch. Don’t just take our word for it – try this Creamy Cucumber Salad today and experience a burst of pure, unadulterated freshness that will have you coming back for more!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Storing:
- Store any leftover Creamy Cucumber Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- The salad is best enjoyed within 2-3 days.
- Over time, the cucumbers may release more moisture, making the dressing slightly more liquidy, but the flavor remains excellent.
Reheating:
- This Creamy Cucumber Salad is best served cold and is not intended for reheating. Reheating will diminish the crispness of the cucumbers and alter the texture of the creamy dressing.
Freezing:
- While it’s not recommended to freeze this salad as the texture of the cucumbers will become mushy upon thawing, you could potentially freeze the dressing separately if desired for future use, though fresh is always best!
Final Thoughts:
This Creamy Cucumber Salad is a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly spectacular. It’s the perfect blend of refreshing, creamy, and easy, making it a go-to recipe for any home cook. Give it a try, and prepare to be delighted by its fresh, delicious flavor!
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by washing your cucumbers thoroughly. For optimal texture, you can peel the cucumbers if you prefer, though it’s not strictly necessary. Slice the cucumbers into thin, uniform rounds. A mandoline slicer is excellent for achieving consistent thinness, but a sharp knife will also do the trick. Place the sliced cucumbers in a colander set over a bowl. Sprinkle them with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This crucial step draws out excess moisture, preventing a watery salad and ensuring each slice retains a delightful crispness. Let the cucumbers sit and drain for at least 15-20 minutes, pressing down occasionally.2 large cucumbers, 0.5 teaspoon salt
- While the cucumbers are draining, prepare the creamy dressing. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the sour cream and mayonnaise. Whisk them together until smooth and well incorporated. This forms the luscious base of our dressing.0.5 cup sour cream, 0.25 cup mayonnaise
- To the sour cream and mayonnaise mixture, add the finely chopped fresh dill and chives. These fresh herbs are integral to the salad’s vibrant flavor profile. Stir in the white vinegar for a touch of tang, the sugar to balance the acidity, and a generous pinch of black pepper. Mix everything until all the ingredients are evenly distributed and the dressing is beautifully creamy. Taste the dressing and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Remember, the cucumbers will release more liquid, so a slightly more seasoned dressing at this stage is often beneficial.2 tablespoons fresh dill, 1 tablespoon fresh chives, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- Once the cucumbers have drained, gently pat them dry with paper towels to remove any residual moisture. Discard the liquid that has collected in the bowl. Add the drained and dried cucumber slices to the bowl with the creamy dressing. Carefully toss the cucumbers to ensure each slice is evenly coated with the delicious dressing.2 large cucumbers
- For the best flavor and texture, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate the Creamy Cucumber Salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and the cucumbers to absorb some of the creamy dressing, enhancing their refreshing coolness.