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Easy Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad: Best Summer Side

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This creamy cucumber dill salad is the perfect summer side dish—crisp, tangy, and incredibly refreshing. Made with simple ingredients like cucumbers, sour cream, and fresh dill, it comes together in under 15 minutes and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large or 3 medium English cucumbers (or regular cucumbers, peeled if skin is thick)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream (full-fat preferred)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (for salting cucumbers), plus extra for dressing
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped

Instructions

  1. Wash cucumbers thoroughly. If using English cucumbers, leave skin on; slice into thin rounds (about 1/8-inch thick). Place slices in a colander set over a bowl or in the sink.
  2. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon kosher salt over cucumber slices and toss gently. Let sit for 20 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
  3. While cucumbers rest, thinly slice red onion. If desired, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the bite, then drain and pat dry.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, white vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. After 20 minutes, rinse cucumber slices briefly with cold water to remove excess salt. Pat dry gently with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
  6. Transfer dried cucumber slices to a large mixing bowl. Add sliced red onion and chopped fresh dill. Pour dressing over top and toss gently until evenly coated.
  7. Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (up to 2 hours) to let flavors meld.
  8. Before serving, give salad a gentle stir. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle with extra fresh dill for color. Serve cold.

Notes

Don’t skip the salting step—it prevents the salad from becoming watery. For best texture, serve within 4-6 hours of making. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; drain any excess liquid before serving again.

Nutrition

Keywords: cucumber salad, creamy cucumber dill salad, summer side dish, easy cucumber salad, dill salad, quick side dish

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/easy-creamy-cucumber-dill-salad-best-summer-side/