When the weather heats up and heavy dishes just won’t do, this Creamy Cucumber Salad is your answer. Crisp, salted cucumbers are tossed in a silky Greek yogurt dressing with fresh dill, lemon zest, red onion, and garlic for the perfect balance of cool, tangy, and savory. It’s light, refreshing, and pairs beautifully with grilled meats, Mediterranean dishes, spicy foods, or summer BBQ spreads.
Simple ingredients. Big flavor. Zero cooking required.
This is the ultimate easy summer side salad recipe.
table of contents
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 21 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: American / Mediterranean
- Course: Appetizer, Salad
- Calories: 58.7 kcal per serving
Ingredients
- 2 English cucumbers
- Kosher salt
- ¾ cup whole milk Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- Zest and juice of ½ lemon
- ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
- ½–¾ tsp garlic powder (or 1 small fresh garlic clove)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
Step-by-Step Instruction
1️⃣ Prep the Cucumbers
- Partially peel cucumbers (leave stripes for texture).
- Slice lengthwise.
- Scoop out seeds with spoon.
- Slice into ¼-inch half moons.
2️⃣ Salt & Rest (The Secret Step!)
- Toss cucumbers with a generous pinch of kosher salt.
- Place in colander.
- Rest 20–30 minutes.
This draws out excess moisture and keeps cucumbers crisp.
3️⃣ Make the Yogurt Dressing
In a bowl, whisk:
- Greek yogurt
- Vinegar
- Lemon zest + juice
- Dill
- Garlic powder
- Salt + pepper
Chill until ready.
4️⃣ Combine
- Pat cucumbers dry with paper towels.
- Add cucumbers and red onion to yogurt dressing.
- Toss until coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
5️⃣ Serve
Garnish with fresh dill and cracked pepper.
Serve chilled.
Flavor Variations
- Swap dill for fresh mint.
- Add crumbled feta for a Mediterranean twist.
- Use grated garlic instead of powder for bold flavor.
- Add a drizzle of olive oil for richness.
Nutrition (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 58.7 kcal |
| Protein | 5.3g |
| Carbs | 9.9g |
| Fat | 0.4g |
| Fiber | 1.5g |
| Vitamin C | 14.9mg |
Values are estimated.
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is estimated using online calculators and may vary depending on ingredient brands and portion sizes. It is not intended as professi
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Slice cucumbers thinly and sprinkle lightly with salt. Let sit for 20 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, red wine vinegar, lemon zest and juice, chopped dill, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Pat cucumbers dry with paper towels and toss with the yogurt dressing until evenly coated.
- Garnish with additional dill if desired and serve chilled.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Conclusion
Creamy cucumber salad proves that simple ingredients can create something incredibly refreshing and satisfying. With crisp cucumbers, tangy yogurt dressing, and bright herbs, this easy Mediterranean-inspired salad is the perfect cooling side dish for warm days and bold meals. Once you try the salt-and-rest trick, you’ll never go back.
Fresh. Light. Delicious.