Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my creamy cucumber salad recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Fresh Cucumbers – Fresh ones from the farmers’ market are hands down the best (they remind me of the fresh garden cucumbers from my grandma’s “dacha”), but of course store-bought is fine when that’s not an option. I don’t peel them because I like the nutrients in the skin and extra crunch, but you can if you prefer. See my tips below for more notes about the cukes. Onion – I like the sharpness (and secretly, the color contrast) of red onions here. Feel free to use a white, yellow, or sweet onion for a milder sweetness. Sour Cream – This is the creamy base of my salad dressing. I’ll be honest, it’s the only way I make it. But if you need alternatives, you can substitute mayo (with a splash of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for tang), or plain Greek yogurt, as I’ve done this in other salads. Fresh Dill – There’s nothing quite the same as fresh, aromatic dill in this creamy cucumber salad. If you need a substitute, my closest recommendation would be fresh chives, or maybe parsley if you have to. I really don’t recommend dried herbs here, but if you must, use only a teaspoon because they are more concentrated than fresh herbs. Olive Oil – I use this to thin out the dressing just a bit, and add a subtle fruity note. Any neutral oil you’ve got will work. Lemon Juice – Fresh lemon juice adds a refreshing zing to my creamy cucumber and onion salad. If you’re short on fresh lemons, bottled lemon juice works fine but of course the taste is worse. Seasonings – Most cucumber salads with sour cream don’t do this, but I like garlic powder in mine. Feel free to skip it if it’s too odd for you. You’ll need sea salt and black pepper for sure, though.
How To Make Creamy Cucumber Salad
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Storage Instructions
Store: Cover and store your creamy cucumber salad in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. It does get watery over time and the cucumbers soften a bit, but in my opinion it’s still delicious. Meal prep: Although you can whip up the salad in advance and store it, for meal prep I prefer to keep the sliced cucumbers and onions separately from the dressing. Just toss together right before serving. Freeze: Sorry, you can’t freeze cucumber salad with sour cream. Literally none of the main components are freezer friendly!
Serving Suggestions
As I mentioned above, I make this creamy cucumber salad for literally any occasion, from cookouts and potlucks to weeknights and holidays. So, what it goes with has just as much variety:
Grilled Dishes – This salad goes with virtually any of my healthy grilling recipes! Everyone seems to love it with juicy burgers or simple grilled chicken breast, but my personal faves are chicken kabobs and flaky grilled salmon. Chicken – For weeknights, I usually keep it simple with some crispy air fryer chicken wings, baked chicken leg quarters, or quick cast iron chicken thighs. If you want something more interesting, try my spinach stuffed chicken (more creaminess alert!) or garlic butter chicken bites. Beef – Even though it’s not a classic side for it, I think my creamy cucumber salad tastes refreshing with a sirloin steak, filet mignon, or New York strip, particularly for a special meal. But when you want comfort food inspired by the same region, try my stuffed cabbage rolls. Pork Or Lamb – If my cucumber salad with sour cream brings back nostalgic vibes for you, chances are my kielbasa and sauerkraut might do the same. Otherwise, just throw together some quick seared pork chops or lamb shoulder chops.
More Cucumber Salad Recipes
If you like this cucumber creamy salad, change it up next time with one of my others starring this crisp vegetable: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Low Carb Holiday Cookbook and Keto Ebook Bundle!
