By: Jill Mills Updated: Dec 31, 2024

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Light, tangy, and crunchy, this Creamy Cucumber Salad is the perfect addition to any summer cookout. Bite-sized slices of cucumber are tossed in a delectable sour cream and mayo dressing with dill. It’s simple (but amazing!), easy to make, and a total crowd-pleaser.

Overhead image of cucumber salad in a serving bowl with a serving spoon. A sliced cucumber sits next to it.

Here we are in the thick of summer. So many potlucks, BBQs, and cookouts to get to! Made up of just a few simple ingredients with super minimal prep time, this cool, crisp cucumber salad is the perfect bring-along for every single one. The crunchy cucumbers and the creamy, tangy, herby, ever so slightly sweet dressing come together in a perfect marriage of flavors and textures. Watch as your friends and family come back for seconds and thirds. They’ll be begging you for the recipe at first bite.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

So light and refreshing. This is the perfect salad for every summer BBQ, cookout, potluck, you name it. Between the crisp crunch of the cucumber and the creamy, tangy, herb-infused dressing, it’s light, bright, and sure to brighten your day.
Versatile. Whether you want to add feta cheese, a hint of spice, or zingy red onion, this cucumber salad is a wonderful canvas for experimentation. Looking for inspiration? Check out the section below titled “Recipe Tips & Variations”.
Super easy. With just a few ingredients (6 not including salt and pepper) and 10 minutes of prep time, this creamy cucumber salad is an easy side dish that you can whip up in no time. Perfect for your busy summer schedule.

What You’ll Need

Time to buckle up and head to the grocery store! Here’s what you’ll need to make this creamy cucumber salad recipe. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card below for precise measurements.

Cucumbers – I prefer English cucumbers or Parisian cucumbers because they have a better crunch to them and you don’t have to peel them. I leave the seeds in mine, but you don’t have to. You can use standard cucumbers in a pinch. Just make sure to peel them first.
Sour cream – Full-fat plain Greek yogurt will also work.
Mayonnaise – Not a mayo person? Sub it out for more sour cream or full-fat plain Greek yogurt.
Fresh dill – If you don’t love dill, try chopped fresh parsley instead. Chives would also be a fun addition.
White vinegar – You could also use red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar instead.
Granulated white sugar – A little honey or agave will also do the trick.
Salt and fresh cracked pepper

How To Make Creamy Cucumber Salad With Sour Cream

Here’s a quick look at how to make this light, summery salad. Scroll on down to the recipe card below for more thorough instructions.

Slice. Slice the cucumbers into ¼ inch slices.

Ingredients for sour cream and dill dressing in a mixing bowl.

Pouring sour cream and dill dressing over sliced cucumbers.

Make the dressing. Whisk together the sour cream, mayo, dill, vinegar and sugar. Taste and season with salt as desired.
Dress the salad. Toss the cucumbers with the dressing in a large bowl.
Chill. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Finishing touches. Toss the salad again and add extra minced dill and fresh cracked pepper.

A fork holding a bite of cucumber salad up to the camera.

Recipe Tips & Variations

Before you dive head first into slicing and dicing, have a look at these simple tips and tricks. They’ll help you make the best creamy cucumber salad with sour cream ever. I threw in some fun variations, too!

Use the right cucumbers. Not all cucumbers are created equal. I highly suggest using english cucumbers or Parisian cucumbers for this recipe. They have a better crunch and you don’t even have to peel them!
Bite-sized. If you find whole slices of cucumber too big of a bite, cut the cucumber in half lengthwise before slicing.
Don’t skip the chill. Allowing the cucumbers to chill in the dressing for at least one hour really gives the flavors a chance to meld. If you have time, let the salad sit in the fridge for up to 5 hours to maximize the flavor potential.
Add red onion. My family isn’t a fan but some people are. Feel free to add 1/2 cup of chopped red or white onions to the mix if you’d like. A couple of tablespoons of chive would also work.
Make it cheesy. You are more than welcome to add some crumbled feta or goat cheese to the mix. Feeling extra adventurous? Try crumbled gorgonzola!
Spice things up. If you enjoy a little heat, go ahead and add a dash of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the dressing. For a less “hot” spice, 1/2 a teaspoon or so of warming cumin would also be a fun addition.

Serving Suggestions

To me, this light, refreshing cucumber salad is the perfect complement to a hearty sandwich. Try my Popeyes Chicken Sandwich Recipe or one of these whopping BBQ Beef Sandwiches. It plays beautifully with other light, refreshing side dishes such as my Creamy Bow Tie Pasta Salad or this Loaded Potato Salad as well.

Cucumber salad in a serving bowl with a serving spoon. A sliced cucumber sits in the background.

How To Store Leftovers

Seal any leftover cucumber salad in an airtight container. You can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you are ready to enjoy, drain any excess liquid from the cucumbers, give everything a good stir, and add more mayo and/or sour cream before serving if you’d like.

I don’t recommend freezing this summery side. It won’t thaw well.

More Easy Side Salads To Try

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