A crisp and creamy cucumber salad is the perfect side dish for any meal during the summer. Crisp cucumbers and fresh dill are tossed in a simple mayonnaise dressing.
This easy summer recipe is made with 3 simple ingredients tossed with fresh dill and a simple dressing.
During the hot summer months when cucumbers are at their peak in the garden, farmers market or super market this easy summer salad is a perfect side dish.
Make it for your next barbecue, pot luck or family get together.
A light and creamy cucumber salad made with a simple mayo dressing is a perfect summer side dish recipe to serve with dinner or at your next barbecue.
Creamy Cucumber Salad Ingredients
This refreshing summer side dish only needs a few ingredients to make.
Fresh sliced cucumbers, red onion, mayonnaise, dill and salt and pepper. All you need is 3 ingredients and dill to make this tasty summer salad.
- Vegetables: cucumbers, pickled red onion or fresh onion (see directions)
- Mayonnaise: I prefer Hellman's or Dukes for the thickest and creamiest flavor in all my recipes.
- Herb: fresh dill or dried dill weed
- Seasonings: salt, ground black pepper, a tad of sugar (optional)
- vinegar: if you don't have time to make red pickled onions you can soak red onion slices in a bit of vinegar for a few minutes before mixing them into the salad to soften them up and add a hint of the vinegar flavor to the salad. Or you can skip this step.
Step by step recipe directions
Prep: Make my pickled red onions a few hours before mixing the cucumber salad. These onions are amazing. If you would rather use fresh onions slice the onion and soak in a bit of vinegar to soften. Pour off the excess vinegar before adding the onion to the bowl.
Step 1: Peel and slice the cucumber. Place the sliced cucumbers in a large bowl and sprinkle with about 2 teaspoons of salt. Allow to soak for 30 minutes releasing most of the liquid from the cucumber slices. Drain and rinse to remove the salt. Pat dry with a paper towel.
Step 2: Put the cucumber in a large mixing bowl. If using pickled red onions add them to the bowl.
If using fresh red onions slice the onion into thin ribbons and pour the vinegar over them. Let them soak for about 30 minutes before mixing the salad.
Step 3: Add the mayonnaise, herbs and seasonings to the bowl.
Step 4: Toss the ingredients until the cucumbers are coated and the seasonings combined.
Step 5: Cover the bowl and refrigerate at least an hour before serving. Stir before serving.
Recipe FAQS
Cucumbers are naturally watery once you cut them. To keep a cucumber salad from getting watery slice or cube the cucumber and let it rest in a bowl for about 30 minutes. Drain the liquid that has accumulated in the bottom of the bowl before mixing the salad.
Most store bought field cucumbers are covered in wax. If using wax covered cucumbers it is best to peel them before using them in a salad. If using organic, home grown or English cucumbers peeling or unpeeling is a personal preference. I prefer to peel cucumbers when I am making a cucumber salad.
Recipe Expert Tips
- Draining the cucumbers: Tired of watery cucumber salad? The trick is to salt and drain the cucumbers before mixing them into a salad to remove the excess water.
- English cucumbers: English cucumbers have a thin peel and less moisture. You can use them without peeling or draining.
- Optional add ins: diced fresh tomatoes or cherry tomatoes would be a perfect add in to this this recipe.
Related Cucumber Recipes
Here are more recipes using cucumber you might like to try.
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Creamy Cucumber Salad (with Mayo & Dill)
Ingredients
- 3 medium cucumbers
- 1 cup pickled red onions ( or 1 cup sliced fresh red onion)
- 4 tablespoons white vinegar (if using fresh onion)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoons fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- ½ teaspoon salt plus 2 teaspoons
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar optional
Instructions
Prep the Fresh Red Onion
- If using fresh red onion slice the onion and soak in the vinegar while preparing the cucumbers. Pour the excess vinegar off before adding to the bowl.
Make the salad
- Peel and slice the cucumber. Place the sliced cucumber in a bowl and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt. Allow to soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Drain and rinse. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Put the cucumber slices in a large mixing bowl. Add the onion, mayonnaise, dill, salt and pepper (and sugar if using) to the bowl.
- Toss the cucumber salad ingredients until the cucumbers are coated with the dressing and the spices are combined.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate at least an hour before serving. Overnight is best.
- Toss the salad before serving.
Video
Notes
- If using fresh red onion: slice the onion thinly, cover with the vinegar. Allow the onion to soak in the vinegar while preparing the rest of the salad. Drain the onion before adding it to the cucumber salad. Or just make my quick pickled red onions. You'll love them!
- Draining the cucumbers: Tired of watery cucumber salad? The trick is to salt and drain the cucumbers before mixing them into a salad to remove the excess water.
- Optional add ins: diced fresh tomatoes or cherry tomatoes would be a perfect add in to this this recipe.
