The Best Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad: A Quick & Easy Summer Classic

Embrace the refreshing taste of summer with this incredible Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad. It’s an effortless classic, brimming with fresh, crisp cucumbers, a subtle bite from onions, and enveloped in a luscious sour cream dressing. This versatile cucumber salad recipe is not just a summer favorite; it’s so simple to prepare that you’ll find yourself making it year-round! With only about 5 minutes of hands-on time and no need for extensive prep-ahead, it’s the perfect everyday side dish that complements virtually any meal.

Why This Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad is a Must-Try

As garden season bursts into full bloom and summer produce becomes abundant, especially those delightful cucumbers, it’s the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen! There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh, homegrown cucumbers, and when we find ourselves with an overflowing harvest, we love transforming them into vibrant summer salads, crisp pickles, refreshing sandwiches, and irresistible veggie trays for dipping. This creamy cucumber salad takes center stage during these times.

While my family often gravitates towards making canned dill pickles with smaller varieties, this year we cultivated English cucumbers. These longer, slender cucumbers aren’t typically ideal for canning, but they shine when sliced fresh. Their delicate skin and minimal seeds make them perfect for veggie dips and, most importantly, for crafting this exquisite fresh salad. Their inherent crispness and satisfying crunch pair harmoniously with thinly sliced onions, forming the foundation of this delectable sour cream cucumber salad.

The Beloved Cucumber Onion Salad: A Family Tradition

For us, being of Ukrainian heritage, cucumber salads are a beloved staple! Cucumbers are more than just a vegetable; they’re a cornerstone of our cuisine. We often enjoy variations such as a vibrant Creamy Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad, and sometimes, if tomatoes are especially plentiful, we might even create a pure tomato salad, letting their rich flavors shine. Given that we grow an abundance of both tomatoes and cucumbers, and are big consumers of onions, we seize the opportunity to incorporate these fresh, seasonal ingredients extensively into our dishes. On occasion, I’ll swap out raw onions for a generous bunch of milder green onions, a perfect trick for those with picky eaters at the table!

Truth be told, this creamy cucumber salad is one of those intuitive dishes that often comes together without a precise recipe, guided by taste and instinct. However, to ensure you can recreate this family favorite in your own home with perfect results, I’ve taken the time to measure out exact amounts. You truly need to experience this delightful cucumber and onion salad this summer!

The creamy version stands as one of our family’s most cherished salads, though we also highly enjoy a refreshing tomato and cucumber variation tossed with a simple oil and vinegar dressing. Your choice often comes down to your mood or the main dish you’re serving. A general rule of thumb we follow: if your main course is rich and creamy, like a comforting Fettuccine Alfredo, opt for the lighter oil and vinegar dressing. Conversely, if you’re serving something like grilled chicken, the creamy salad provides a wonderful balance.

My mother, with her culinary wisdom, often adds a pinch of sugar to the dressing. This subtle addition beautifully balances the tangy notes of the sour cream, creating a more harmonious flavor profile. She also sometimes uses an equal mix of mayonnaise and sour cream for an even richer texture. The possibilities for customization are truly endless! Consider adding thinly sliced fresh radishes for an extra peppery crunch alongside or instead of some of the cucumbers, or combine green onions with raw onions for a layered onion flavor that’s both milder and more complex.

While some cooks enjoy enhancing this salad with fresh dill from the garden, this simple salad is incredibly satisfying with just cucumbers and onions. The pure flavors are allowed to shine, and you won’t feel like you’re missing out on other herbs, as this forms a perfect, flavorful base. My children adore this cucumber onion salad exactly as presented here, so feel free to adapt it to your family’s preferences and make it your own signature dish!

Essential Ingredients for This Creamy Cucumber Salad with Onions

One of the beauties of fresh cucumber recipes is their simplicity, often requiring just a handful of quality ingredients. This delightful salad truly shines with merely cucumbers and onions as its star components! We recommend being generous with the sour cream to create a rich, flavorful, and perfectly coated dressing that defines this dish.

• Cucumbers: Any good slicing cucumber will work wonderfully here. Varieties like Persian, English, or even standard pickling cucumbers (if you prefer a firmer texture) are excellent choices. I personally love slicing them into thin rings, or for larger cucumbers, into half-moon slices, making them easy and pleasant to bite into. There’s generally no need to peel cucumbers unless their skin is excessively waxy, damaged, or sunburnt, as the skin adds both nutrients and a lovely textural contrast.
• Onion: The onion is crucial for adding a refreshing crunch and a distinctive flavor. For a sweeter, less pungent taste, a Vidalia onion is an excellent choice. However, feel free to use any yellow onion you have on hand, or even fresh green onions from the garden for a milder flavor profile, which is great for those who find raw yellow onion too strong. Red onion also makes a fantastic, colorful alternative.
• Sour Cream: The heart of our creamy dressing! While any good quality sour cream will work, I find the Daisy brand consistently delivers the best results. Its thick and rich consistency creates a delicious, non-runny dressing that beautifully clings to the vegetables, ensuring every bite is perfectly coated.
• Vinegar: A splash of vinegar introduces a bright, tangy counterpoint that cuts through the richness of the sour cream and enhances the fresh taste of the cucumbers. White distilled vinegar is standard, but if you’re out, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice is a superb substitute, offering a similar zesty kick and helping to thin the sour cream slightly for optimal consistency.
• Seasonings: Sometimes, less is truly more. A simple sprinkle of salt and pepper is all you truly need to highlight the natural flavors of the vegetables and dressing. However, if you enjoy garnishing your salads with fresh herbs, fresh dill is the quintessential herb for cucumber salads. Its bright, anisy notes complement the cucumbers perfectly. If fresh dill isn’t available, frozen dill will work just as well, though it might impart a slightly darker hue to your salad.

How To Masterfully Make Your Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad

This creamy cucumber salad is so remarkably quick and easy to prepare that its popularity as a summer standby recipe is no surprise. The secret to achieving a consistently crunchy cucumber salad lies in how you slice your cucumbers: avoid slicing them too thinly! Overly thin slices will wilt rapidly, releasing too much water and making your dressing runny. For optimal crunch and texture, aim for cucumber slices that are approximately 1/8 to 1/4-inch thick. While a mandoline can help achieve perfectly uniform slices, a sharp knife and a reliable cutting board will work just as effectively.

1. Prepare the Cucumbers: Begin by trimming off the ends of your cucumbers. For a classic look, slice them into full rings. If your cucumbers are particularly large, consider cutting them in half lengthwise first, then slicing into half-moon shapes to make them easier to eat.
2. Prepare the Onion: Peel your onion and cut it in half through the root end. Place each half cut-side down and slice it in half again. Then, slice across the onion to create smaller, bite-sized wedge-like pieces. This method mellows the onion’s intensity and makes it more enjoyable in the salad.
3. Combine Vegetables: Place all your freshly sliced cucumbers and onions into a large mixing bowl, ensuring there’s ample space for mixing.
4. Add the Dressing Components Directly: This is a crucial step for the creamiest result! Add the sour cream, vinegar, salt, and pepper directly on top of the sliced vegetables in the bowl. By not over-stirring the sour cream separately, you maintain its thick, luxurious consistency. Mixing it beforehand can make the dressing thinner than desired.
5. Gently Fold to Combine: Using a large spoon or a spatula, gently fold the sour cream mixture into the cucumbers and onion. Continue folding until all the vegetables are evenly coated with the rich, creamy dressing.
6. Serve Immediately: For the freshest taste and best texture, serve your Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad right after preparing it.

Chef’s Note: For an extra layer of savory flavor, consider pressing two finely minced garlic cloves into the salad along with the other dressing ingredients. It adds a subtle warmth that many find irresistible.

Can I Make This Salad Ahead of Time?

Given how incredibly quick and easy this creamy cucumber salad is to prepare, making it significantly in advance is often unnecessary! Truly, this salad can be ready in about 5 minutes because the primary steps involve simply slicing your fresh vegetables and adding the dressing ingredients directly into the bowl. The beauty is in its immediate freshness.

However, if you’re planning for guests and want to get a head start, you can certainly perform some light prep. Slice your cucumbers and onions as directed and store them in a covered bowl in the refrigerator. Keep them chilled until just before you’re ready to serve. My best advice is to add the sour cream dressing right before serving. This prevents the cucumbers from releasing too much water into the dressing, which can make the salad soggy and diminish its crisp texture. This salad holds up best for up to 2 hours after the dressing has been added and is ideally enjoyed within one day for peak freshness and crunch.

Should you find yourself with leftovers that linger for a day or two, don’t fret! Before serving, gently drain any accumulated juices at the bottom of the bowl. If the dressing seems a bit thin or has lost some of its creaminess, simply stir in a little extra sour cream and a pinch more salt and pepper to revive its vibrant flavor and texture.

What To Serve With Your Refreshing Creamy Cucumber Salad

This versatile creamy cucumber salad is the quintessential side dish, perfectly complementing a wide array of meals and ideal for all your summer gatherings—be it a backyard barbecue, a casual picnic, or a lively potluck! Its universal appeal and quick preparation make it an incredibly handy staple recipe for a fast and delicious accompaniment.

• Comfort Food Classics: Pair this light and tangy salad with your favorite comfort foods, providing a refreshing contrast. It’s fantastic alongside creamy Mashed Potatoes or fluffy Rice, cutting through their richness beautifully.
• Grilled Meats & BBQ: It’s an absolute match made in heaven for anything hot off the grill! Serve it with succulent Grilled Chicken Thighs, savory Kebabs, juicy Burgers, or any type of grilled steak or pork. The cool, creamy texture provides a perfect counterpoint to smoky, charred flavors.
• Weeknight Favorites: Make pizza night, pasta dinners, or simple sandwiches feel more complete with this easy and quick side. It adds a fresh, vibrant element without any fuss.
• Hearty Dishes: This salad also pairs wonderfully with richer main courses like tender BBQ Ribs, flaky Baked Salmon with Garlic Mayo, or comforting Meatballs, balancing the meal with its bright and creamy notes.

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Cucumber Onion Salad

Prep Time:
5 minutes minutes

Total Time:
5 minutes minutes

Servings:
10 servings

An easy summer classic—Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad loaded with fresh, crisp cucumbers, onion, and sour cream! This cucumber salad recipe is versatile and so simple to make year-round! It takes about 5 minutes to make, there’s no prep-ahead, and it’s the kind of everyday side that goes with anything!

Equipment

• 1 mixing bowl

Ingredients

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs English cucumbers
• 1 onion (sliced in half-wedges)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp white distilled vinegar

Instructions

Directions:

• 

  Slice the cucumbers. Trim off the ends and cut them in half lengthwise, then slice them up into half rings or whole slices (about 1/8 to 1/4-inch thick). Peel the onion and cut it in half, then halve each half again, and slice across into small wedges.
• 

  Transfer the sliced cucumbers and onion into a large mixing bowl. Add the sour cream, salt, pepper, and white distilled vinegar directly on top of the vegetables.
• 

  Using a large spoon or spatula, gently fold the sour cream mixture into the cucumbers and onion until they are thoroughly and evenly coated. Serve fresh and enjoy!

Notes

• Slice the cucumbers on the thicker side, about 1/4 to 1/8-inch slices, to ensure they stay fresh and crisp longer and don’t become watery.
• For the creamiest dressing, add the sour cream directly to the bowl of sliced cucumbers and onion. Mixing it in a separate bowl before combining can thin it out.
• If you prefer a milder onion taste, use 1 cup of chopped green onions or chives as a substitute for the raw onion in this recipe.
• A pinch of sugar can be added to the dressing to balance the tangy flavor of the sour cream.
• For an extra layer of flavor, press two finely minced garlic cloves into the salad along with the other dressing ingredients.

Nutrition per serving

Serving: 1serving
Calories: 53kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 10mg
Sodium: 240mg
Potassium: 172mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 3g
Vitamin A: 203IU
Vitamin C: 4mg
Calcium: 35mg
Iron: 0.3mg