A refreshing, creamy, and crunchy cucumber salad made with crisp cucumbers, tangy Greek yogurt, fresh herbs, and a light lemon-garlic dressing. It is perfect as a side dish for grilled chicken, fish, burgers, or summer meals.
Ingredients
For the Salad
3 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
¼ cup fresh dill, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
¼ teaspoon salt
For the Creamy Dressing
¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 small garlic clove, finely minced
½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup, optional
½ teaspoon dried dill
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
1–2 tablespoons cold water, if needed
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cucumbers
Wash and dry the cucumbers thoroughly.
Slice them very thinly using a sharp knife or mandoline.
Place the cucumber slices in a large bowl and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt.
Toss gently and let them sit for 15–20 minutes.
2. Remove Excess Water
Cucumbers naturally contain a lot of water, so this step is important.
Transfer the cucumber slices to a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and gently pat them dry.
You can also place them in a colander and allow the excess liquid to drain.
Do not skip this step if you want a thick, creamy dressing instead of a watery salad.
3. Prepare the Onion
Thinly slice the red onion.
If you prefer a milder onion flavor, soak the slices in cold water for 5–10 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
4. Make the Creamy Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together:
Greek yogurt
Mayonnaise
Lemon juice
Apple cider vinegar
Dijon mustard
Garlic
Honey or maple syrup
Dried dill
Black pepper
Salt
Mix until smooth.
If the dressing is too thick, add 1 tablespoon cold water at a time until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Taste and adjust the seasoning.
5. Combine Everything
Place the drained cucumbers and red onion in a large serving bowl.
Add fresh dill, parsley, and green onions.
Pour the creamy dressing over the vegetables.
Gently toss until the cucumber slices are evenly coated.
6. Chill
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
For the best flavor, chill for 1–2 hours before serving.
7. Serve
Give the salad a gentle toss before serving.
Garnish with extra fresh dill, parsley, or freshly cracked black pepper.
Serve cold.
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving — 6 servings:
Calories: 95
Protein: 4 g
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Fiber: 1.5 g
Net Carbs: 5.5 g
Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 260 mg
Nutrition is approximate and varies according to the yogurt, mayonnaise, and other ingredients used.
Nut & Allergen Information
Tree nuts: None.
Peanuts: None.
Almonds: None.
Walnuts: None.
Pecans: None.
Cashews: None.
Pistachios: None.
Coconut: None.
Dairy: Yes — Greek yogurt.
Eggs: May be present in mayonnaise.
Gluten: Naturally gluten-free, but check packaged mayonnaise, mustard, and other ingredients if necessary.
Soy: Some mayonnaise brands may contain soybean oil.
Mustard: Yes — Dijon mustard.
Sesame: None intentionally included.
Nut-Free Version
The recipe is naturally nut-free. If preparing it for someone with a severe allergy, check all packaged ingredients for cross-contact warnings.
Dairy-Free Version
Use a plain unsweetened dairy-free yogurt and dairy-free mayonnaise.
Egg-Free Version
Use an egg-free mayonnaise or replace the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt.
Tips for the Best Creamy Cucumber Salad
English cucumbers are ideal because they have fewer seeds and a thin skin.
Salt and drain the cucumbers before adding dressing to prevent watery salad.
Fresh dill provides much better flavor than dried dill alone.
Don’t add too much dressing at once. Start with most of it and add more if needed.
Chill the salad before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
For extra crunch, add thinly sliced radishes or celery.
Variations
High-Protein Version
Use 1 cup Greek yogurt and reduce the mayonnaise to 1 tablespoon.
Mediterranean Version
Add:
¼ cup crumbled feta
Cherry tomatoes
Fresh oregano
Kalamata olives
Extra-Garlic Version
Add one additional small garlic clove and a little extra lemon juice.
Spicy Version
Add:
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
A pinch of cayenne
Thinly sliced jalapeño
Creamy Ranch-Style Version
Add:
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon chopped chives
½ teaspoon dried parsley
Storage
Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Best enjoyed within 1–2 days.
Because cucumbers continue releasing water after being dressed, the salad may become thinner over time.
For meal prep, keep the cucumbers and dressing separate and combine shortly before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is my creamy cucumber salad watery?
Cucumbers naturally release water. Salting and draining them for 15–20 minutes before adding the dressing significantly reduces this problem.
Q: Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?
Yes. However, regular yogurt is thinner, so the dressing may be less creamy.
Q: Can I make this without mayonnaise?
Absolutely. Replace the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier salad.
Q: Can I use sour cream?
Yes. Replace some or all of the Greek yogurt with sour cream.
Q: Can I use Persian cucumbers?
Yes. Persian cucumbers are crisp, small, and excellent for this recipe.
Q: Should I peel the cucumbers?
Not necessarily. English and Persian cucumbers have tender skins and can be left unpeeled. If using thick-skinned cucumbers, peeling them is recommended.
Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes. You can make it several hours ahead and refrigerate it. For the best texture, prepare it the same day.
Q: Can I add tomatoes?
Yes, but add them shortly before serving because tomatoes can release additional liquid.
Q: Can I add feta cheese?
Yes. Feta pairs especially well with cucumber, dill, lemon, and Greek yogurt.
Q: Is creamy cucumber salad keto-friendly?
Yes, this version is relatively low in carbohydrates. Use an unsweetened Greek yogurt and omit the honey or maple syrup for an even lower-carb option.
Q: Is it diabetic-friendly?
It can fit into a diabetes-conscious meal plan because it is relatively low in carbohydrates and contains little added sugar. For a lower-sugar version, omit the honey or maple syrup and use unsweetened yogurt.
Q: Is this salad vegetarian?
Yes.
Q: Is this salad vegan?
Not as written because it contains Greek yogurt and mayonnaise. Use plant-based yogurt and vegan mayonnaise to make it vegan.
Q: What does creamy cucumber salad pair well with?
It is excellent alongside grilled chicken, baked salmon, grilled shrimp, steak, burgers, kebabs, roasted vegetables, or sandwiches.
With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.
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