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Bowl of creamy cucumber salad with fresh dill and red onions on a white plate

Creamy Cucumber Salad

This creamy cucumber salad features crisp cucumber slices tossed in a tangy sour cream dressing with fresh dill and a hint of garlic. It's a refreshing side dish that comes together in minutes and pairs perfectly with grilled meats or sandwiches. The cool, creamy flavors make it an ideal choice for summer gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: European
Calories: 113

Ingredients
  

For the Dressing
  • 120 g sour cream
  • 30 ml white vinegar
  • 15 ml honey
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 g salt
  • 1 g black pepper
  • 15 g fresh dill chopped
For the Salad
  • 600 g cucumbers thinly sliced
  • 100 g red onion thinly sliced
  • 30 g fresh dill for garnish

Method
 

Prepare and Salt the Cucumbers
  1. Wash the cucumbers thoroughly under cold running water and dry them completely. Using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer, cut the cucumbers into thin, even slices about 3 mm thick. Uniform thickness ensures the cucumbers absorb the dressing evenly and maintain a consistent texture throughout the salad. If using cucumbers with large seeds, slice them lengthwise first and gently scrape out the seeds with a spoon before slicing. Place the sliced cucumbers in a colander set over a bowl or sink and sprinkle them lightly with a small pinch of salt. Toss gently to distribute the salt evenly. Allow the cucumbers to rest for 10 minutes, which draws out excess moisture through osmosis and prevents the dressing from becoming watery. After resting, gently pat the cucumbers dry using paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Avoid squeezing them aggressively, as this can damage their texture.
Slice the Onion and Prepare the Herbs
  1. Thinly slice the red onion into delicate half-moons using a sharp knife or mandoline. If the onion flavor is particularly sharp, place the slices in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry. This step removes some of the raw onion bite while preserving its crisp texture and mild sweetness. Finely chop the fresh dill for the dressing, reserving a small portion for garnish later.
Prepare the Creamy Dill Dressing
  1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, white vinegar, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk thoroughly until the dressing becomes completely smooth and emulsified. The honey should dissolve fully so that the dressing develops a balanced flavor with mild sweetness, acidity, and creaminess. Stir in the chopped dill and mix until evenly distributed. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning if necessary. The dressing should taste slightly tangy and well seasoned on its own since the cucumbers will dilute the flavor slightly once mixed.
Assemble the Salad
  1. Add the prepared cucumber slices and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently fold the vegetables into the dressing until every slice is evenly coated. Work slowly to avoid breaking the cucumber slices. Ensure that the onions are evenly distributed throughout the salad so that each serving contains a balanced combination of flavors.
Chill and Serve
  1. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the cucumbers to absorb the creamy dill dressing while the flavors of garlic, vinegar, and herbs meld together. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with additional fresh dill. Serve well chilled for the most refreshing flavor and texture.

Notes

Salting the cucumbers briefly before mixing the salad is one of the most important steps in this recipe. Cucumbers contain a very high percentage of water, and without removing some of that moisture first, the dressing will quickly become diluted and watery. A short salting period draws out excess liquid while preserving the cucumber’s crisp texture.
The balance of acidity and creaminess defines the flavor of this salad. White vinegar provides a clean, bright tang that cuts through the richness of the sour cream, while honey adds just enough sweetness to round out the acidity. This balance creates a dressing that tastes light rather than heavy.
Fresh dill is essential for the classic flavor profile. Dried dill lacks the aromatic oils and bright herbal character needed for this salad. Chop the dill just before adding it to the dressing to preserve its fragrance.
For the best texture, the cucumbers should remain slightly crisp after chilling. If the salad sits for too long, the cucumbers will continue releasing moisture. Stirring the salad before serving helps re-emulsify the dressing and evenly redistribute the flavors.
Although the salad is very quick to prepare, it benefits significantly from a short chilling period. The rest time allows the garlic and dill to infuse the dressing and the cucumbers to absorb the tangy creaminess.