If you’re looking for a refreshing, no-fuss side dish that screams warm weather, this Creamy Cucumber Salad is it. I’m talking crisp English cucumbers and thin-sliced red onion all tossed in the most incredible sour cream dill dressing that is tangy, a little sweet, and completely addictive.

This easy recipe comes together in minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients and pairs beautifully with just about anything you’re throwing on the grill. This is the kind of recipe that earns you a reputation at every picnic, barbecue, and backyard dinner you show up to.

Creamy Cucumber Salad just screams summer. You can already picture it… Phil is at the grill, Jessica sets down the most gorgeous pie you have ever seen, and the table is filling up fast. But something is missing. It is not truly a potluck until that big bowl of creamy cucumber salad shows up.

Nobody talks about it enough, but a great gathering lives and dies by its side dishes. I have come to terms with the fact that I am a side dish person in life. Not the showstopping brisket, not the pavlova piled high with fruit. I am the one who quietly holds the whole meal together, and people do not realize they need it until it is right in front of them.

This recipe is a must make all summer long. Leave a comment and tell me, what dish would you be at the potluck? The bag of chips absolutely counts.

Creamy Cucumber Salad Ingredients

Honestly, one of the best things about this Creamy Cucumber Salad is how simple the ingredient list is. Nothing fancy, nothing hard to find. Just fresh, bright flavors that come together beautifully.

• Sour Cream: The creamy base of the dressing, giving it that cool, tangy richness that makes this salad so irresistible. Greek yogurt works great here, too if that’s what you have on hand.
• Mayonnaise: Adds body and a subtle savory depth to the dressing, helping everything cling to the cucumbers perfectly.
• Red Wine Vinegar: A few tablespoons wakes up the whole dressing and keeps it from feeling heavy. This is where that signature tang comes from.
• White Sugar: Just a touch to balance out the acidity and round out all the flavors in the dressing.
• Fresh Dill: The star herb of this salad. Fresh dill brings that unmistakable bright, grassy flavor that makes a creamy cucumber salad taste like summer in every single bite.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds a subtle, clean herby note that complements the dill without overpowering it.
• Garlic Powder: Just enough to add a gentle savory backbone to the dressing without stealing the show.
• English Cucumbers: I love English cucumbers because they are thin-skinned, nearly seedless, and incredibly crisp. Slice them thin so every bite gets coated in that dreamy dressing.
• Red Onion: Adds a pop of color and a mild sharpness that plays so well against the creamy dressing. Slice it thin so it blends right in.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential finishing touches that pull the whole dish together. Never skip seasoning to taste before serving!

Simple ingredients, serious flavor. That’s what I’m all about.

How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad

You are going to love how fast this easy cucumber salad comes together. Start to finish, you’re looking at about 10 minutes of hands-on time, plus a quick rest in the fridge, and it’s ready to go.

1. Whisk: Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, sugar, fresh dill, parsley, and garlic powder in a small bowl and whisk until the dressing is completely smooth and creamy.
2. Toss: Add the sliced English cucumbers and red onion to a large bowl, pour the dressing over the top, and stir until everything is evenly and generously coated.
3. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste and give it one final stir.
4. Rest: Cover the bowl and let the salad chill in the refrigerator for 20 to 60 minutes before serving so all those flavors have time to really come together.

Don’t rush the rest time if you can help it. Even 20 minutes makes a noticeable difference, and a full hour in the fridge makes it absolute magic. 

How Do I Perfectly Slice Cucumbers?

For perfectly even, paper-thin cucumber slices, a mandolin is your best friend! It makes the job so much faster, and the results are so much prettier than hand slicing.

If you don’t have one, a sharp knife and a little patience will absolutely do the trick. Just take your time and aim for slices that are as thin and consistent as possible so the dressing coats every single piece evenly.

And if you do use a mandolin, please use the hand guard and watch those fingers!

Cucumber Salad Substitutions and Variations

This Creamy Cucumber Salad is the perfect side dish and it’s wonderfully flexible and easy to make your own. 

• Sour Cream: Swap it for plain Greek yogurt for a slightly lighter dressing with a little extra tang.
• Red Wine Vinegar: White wine vinegar works just as well and delivers a slightly milder, more delicate flavor. Apple cider vinegar could also be used in a pinch.
• Fresh Dill: If you only have dried dill on hand, use about one teaspoon in place of the full tablespoon of fresh since dried herbs are more concentrated.
• Type of Cucumber: Persian cucumbers are also a great choice. Regular cucumbers work in a pinch. Just peel them and scoop out the seeds before slicing to keep the salad from having too much moisture getting watery.
• Add-Ins: Cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced radishes, or a handful of crumbled feta cheese are all delicious additions if you want to bulk things up.

What to Make with this Salad

This creamy cucumber salad was basically made to sit alongside something fresh off the grill or smoker. If you are firing up the Traeger, you absolutely have to try it next to our Smoked Prime Rib, Smoked Chicken, or this incredible Salmon.

For a classic backyard barbecue spread, pair it with a Hamburger, Grilled Hawaiian Chicken, or Corn on the Cob for a meal that hits every single note. However you serve it, this cool and creamy cucumber salad is the side dish that will steal the show!

Storage and Make Ahead Instructions

This Creamy Cucumber Salad is best enjoyed the day it’s made. Cucumbers release water as they sit, which can thin out the dressing over time. Leftovers will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to two days. Just give it a good stir and re-season before serving.

To get ahead, whisk the sour cream dill dressing together up to two days in advance and store it separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, slice the cucumbers and onion, toss everything together, and let it rest for 20 to 60 minutes. That’s it!

I hope this Creamy Cucumber Salad becomes your new warm-weather staple. It’s the kind of easy summer side dish that earns a permanent spot in the rotation after the very first bite. If you make it, leave a comment below and let us know what you think. And if you bring it to a gathering, don’t be surprised when everyone asks for the recipe!

Some Of Our Favorite Summer Salad Recipes To Try

• Citrus Jicama Avocado Salad
• Grilled Peach Caprese Salad Recipe
• Summer Grilled Chicken Salad w/ Creamy Basil Dressing
• Deviled Egg Summer Pasta Salad
• 3 Cheese Marinated Tomatoes Salad [+Video]

Watch This Video Tutorial!