Sour Cream Cucumber Salad is light, refreshing, and oh so easy to make! Using just three key ingredients and minimal prep, this creamy cucumber salad is the ultimate summer side dish to make with fresh cucumbers!
![Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream Bowl of creamy sour cream cucumber salad with fresh dill in blue serving dish.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Creamy-Dill-Cucumber-Salad.jpg)
Growing up, there were three dishes that HAD to be served at every summer potluck and celebration. My Papa's homemade baked beans, my great-aunt's homemade brownies, and my mom's sour cream cucumber salad.
Decades later, these recipes from my childhood are still cherished today and continue to make an appearance at every summer gathering, potluck, and picnic had.
Reasons to Love Sour Cream Cucumber Salad
- Creamy, yet light and refreshing. Made with the perfect ratio of fresh cucumbers to tangy onions to creamy sour cream, this Cucumber Salad with sour cream is filled with flavor without being heavy. Sometimes I add a bit of fresh dill to elevate the flavors, but that is completely optional.
- Incredibly easy to make. The hardest part about making this cucumber salad is slicing the cucumbers. It really is quite an easy side dish to make!
- The perfect recipe for garden cucumbers. If you are lucky to have an abundance of garden cucumbers, this recipe allows them to shine.
- Unique, yet crowd-pleasing side dish. This simple creamy cucumber salad is always a hit at parties and potlucks and when paired BBQ Chicken Breasts, Burgers, and Grilled Corn on the Cob, it completes the ultimate summer dinner.
Cucumber Salad Ingredients
There are only 3 main ingredients needed to make this creamy cucumber salad, well 4 if you count salt! Cucumbers, onions, and sour cream are what make this classic dish. If desired, add some fresh dill to make this salad feel fancy!
![Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe Ingredients for cucumber salad labeled on counter.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cucumber-Salad-Recipe.jpg)
How to Make Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Thinly Slice Cucumbers and Onions. The key to achieving the best texture to this salad is to thinly slice the cucumber and onions. You want the slices to be paper-thin, so they can soak up the salt water brine easily and become salty and tender. If you have a Mandoline Slicer now is the time to use it! If not, just thinly slice with a sharp knife.
- Soak Cucumbers and Onions in Salt Water. The magic of this salad is that the cucumbers and onions are soaked in water that has been heavily seasoned with salt before being tossed with sour cream. The cucumbers are flavored while the onions are mellowed out from the soaking process.
- Drain and Rinse. After soaking, drain the cucumbers and onions using a colander and lightly rinse under running water to remove the brine. The cucumbers will have soaked up plenty of salt to flavor the salad.
- Add Sour Cream. Once the cucumber and onions have been brined and rinsed, it is as easy as tossing them with sour cream (and dill if desired).
- Chill Before Serving. It is best to chill the cucumber salad for 30 minutes prior to serving to allow the ingredients to marry together.
![Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream Side by side photo of cucumbers in salt water mixtures and in strainer.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cucumber-Salad-with-Sour-Cream.jpg)
What Type of Cucumber is Best for Cucumber Salad?
You can opt to use either standard garden cucumbers, cocktail cucumbers, wax-coated cucumbers, or hothouse cucumbers. If using grocery store wax-coated cucumbers, you MUST peel the waxy skin for the best texture in your cucumber. For all other varieties of cucumbers, there is not need to peel the cucumbers before slicing.
Make-Ahead/Storage Instructions
- Up to 24 Hours in Advance: It is best to prepare the cucumber salad no more than 24 hours in advance prior to serving, as the salad will become watered down as the cucumbers begin to break down and release their liquid into the sour cream dressing.
- Leftover Cucumber Salad: While this cucumber salad with sour cream is best enjoyed within 24 hours, it can safely be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Before serving, drain the salad over a fine-mesh strainer if it has become water and then, if needed, mix in a couple of additional tablespoons of sour cream. Give the salad a taste, adding additional salt if needed.
Serving Suggestions
This Cucumber Salad with sour cream is a summertime must-make recipe! It is an affordable, simple, crave-worthy side dish that is perfect for any summer gathering, yet is easy enough for busy weeknights.
It pairs perfectly with heavier summer classics like Grilled Burgers, Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, or Instant Pot BBQ Ribs. It also makes a fabulous side dish for Grilled Shrimp or Grilled BBQ Chicken Breasts.
More Classic Summer Side Dishes
- Old Fashioned Baked Beans
- Instant Pot Potato Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Easy Homemade Coleslaw
- Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
- Broccoli Salad
Be sure to add this Sour Cream Cucumber Salad to your next potluck or barbecue menu. It is one side dish that everyone will enjoy!
![Cucumber and Onion Salad in a blue bowl](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Summer-Cucumber-Salad-360x360.jpg)
Creamy Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream
Ingredients
- 2 pounds cucumbers 3 large hothouse, 4 garden fresh, or 10-12 cocktail cucumbers
- 1 large yellow onion
- water for soaking
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill optional
Instructions
- Wash and dry the cucumbers really well. If using wax-coated cucumbers, peel and discard the skin.
- Using a mandoline or a sharp knife, slice the cucumbers and onion into paper-thin pieces that are about ⅛-inch thick.
- Place the onion and cucumber slices into a large bowl and cover with cold tap water. Stir in the kosher salt and allow the cucumber and onions to soak for 1-4 hours. Note: While this mixture is safe to sit out at room temperature if your kitchen is warmer than 75 degrees F or you have creatures that may disturb the mixture, it is best to refrigerate the cucumber and onion mixture.
- After soaking, drain the cucumber and onions using a mesh strainer. Quickly rinse cucumbers and onions with water, draining fully after rinsing.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained cucumbers, onions, sour cream, and dill, if using. Gently toss together until the cucumbers and onions are fully coated with the sour cream.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This salad is best if served within 24 hours after assembling.
Taylor
The perfect way to use up fresh cucumbers and dill from the garden! Super easy to make with a creamy consistency and SO much flavor. On repeat all summer long!
Spring
This is my all time favorite salad from Poland MIZERIA! This is one of the most common salads served in homes and restaurants, and every summer picnic there. I love it paired well with pork chops and is so summery. I love your clear directions and video.
Kristen Chidsey
Thank you so much Spring!
melanie sakowski
Yum 😋 this is the Polish salad “Mizeria”?
Kristen Chidsey
Yes it is very similar! Gald you enjoyed Melanie.
Kris
I haven’t made this salad but have had it before it’s really yummy...hopefully I will get it done this summer while the cukes are still good
Kristen Chidsey
I hope you get to enjoy as well Kris.
Bintu Hardy
This has all my favourite thing in one dish. I might be trying your version this weekend 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
YAY!! I think you will enjoy it.
Rebecca Hubbell
Cucumber is always a hit side dish in the summer, my family loves the dill flavor in this one!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! I am so glad you enjoyed this Rebecca! The dill really adds a fresh flavor.
Angela Varner
Hi Kristen,
What is the purpose of soaking the cucumbers and onions?
Angela
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Angela! Soaking the cucumbers and onions allow them both to soften so that they fold into the sour cream easily. The cucumber soaks up the saltwater, which helps to flavor them and the overall salad. It also helps to mellow out the sharp taste of the onions.
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge)
I love cucumber salad like this, reminds me of something my mom used to make when I was a kid. I can't believe I've never made it! Sounds awesome!
Kristen Chidsey
Well, now you need to make it again 🙂
Cynthia/ What A Girl Eats
One of my favorite salads…so simple, but so delicious!
Kristen Chidsey
Nothing beats simple, especially when it tastes so good!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition
I love easy, healthy and delicious recipes! This looks amazing!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Lauren!
Barbara | Creative Culinary
I love your changes; not that I don't love the old standby but I grew dill and have a huge supply of it I dried that I don't find enough uses for...this salad is calling my name!
Kristen Chidsey
I too, love a good standby, but a fresh change is ALWAYS welcome as well!
Carla (@charliesue)
I love how this salad uses greek yogurt! Both tangy AND creamy. Can't wait to try it.
Kristen Chidsey
You will love it!
Olivia @ Olivia's Cuisine
What a nice, light salad! Definitely trying this soon!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Olivia--I hope you love it!!
Barrett @dirtylaundrykitchen.com
I love this salad. Such a classic! So glad salad season is here!
Kristen Chidsey
Me too. I can never have enough salad recipes!
Christie
Cucumbers are always on the menu. I love how light and refreshing this one is.
Kristen Chidsey
Cucumbers are such a great compliment to any summer meal. I hope you enjoy this one!
Kaitie @ Fuchsia Freezer
Easy and delicious! I love dill & cucumber... and it sounds so fresh... perfect for the summer! Thanks!!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks. I love healthy and easy!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
This sounds awesome! I love how simple and refreshing this salad is!
Kristen Chidsey
Never can have too many simple salads for the summer!