Description
This creamy cucumber salad is a refreshing and tangy side dish featuring thinly sliced English cucumbers and red onions tossed in a smooth sour cream dressing infused with fresh dill, white vinegar, and a hint of sugar. Perfectly chilled, it’s an easy and crisp salad ideal for summer meals or as a light accompaniment to any dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 large English cucumbers (about 2 pounds)
- 1/2 medium red onion (thinly sliced)
Dressing
- 1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (divided)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers thoroughly. If desired, peel them while leaving some strips of skin for added color and texture.
- Slice Thinly: Using a sharp knife or mandoline, slice the cucumbers very thinly, about 1/8 inch thick.
- Draw Out Moisture: Place the cucumber slices in a colander set over a bowl. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and let sit for 30 minutes to remove excess water and prevent sogginess.
- Soak Onion: While the cucumbers rest, soak the thinly sliced red onion in ice water for 10 minutes to mellow its sharpness. Drain and pat dry afterward.
- Make Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, white vinegar, chopped dill, granulated sugar, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Dry Cucumbers: After 30 minutes, gently pat the cucumber slices dry with paper towels to remove any remaining moisture.
- Combine Salad: Add the dried cucumbers and drained red onion slices to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly without bruising.
- Chill: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
- Adjust and Serve: Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed (add more salt, pepper, or dill to preference).
- Garnish: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and garnish with additional fresh dill for a burst of herby freshness and color.
Notes
- For a lighter version, swap sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- Peeling cucumbers is optional; leaving some skin adds texture and color.
- Soaking onions in ice water mellows their sharp bite for a milder flavor.
- Removing excess moisture from cucumbers prevents the salad from becoming watery.
- Chilling the salad for at least an hour enhances flavor melding and refreshes the dish.
