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Cucumber Salad

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Cucumber salad is crisp, healthy, refreshing and light!

This creamy cucumber salad is made with a delicious dill dressing that boasts a bright flavor profile. Accented with radishes and lemon zest, this colorful side dish is the perfect choice for backyard BBQs, picnics and potlucks. Assemble this summer salad in just 15 minutes!

Creamy cucumber salad in a white serving bowl with a silver serving spoon.

CREAMY CUCUMBER SALAD

If you’ve been looking for the best cucumber salad recipe, look no further! This festive salad is Grandma-approved. This traditional favorite has been given some brand new twists!

Radishes and lemon zest provide a festive burst of color. There are also a few surprises in the creamy dressing mix. We’ve swapped out the mayo in favor of light, refreshing Greek yogurt. We’ve added a splash of apple cider vinegar for a delicious tangy taste that compliments the dill.

Cucumber salad in a white serving bowl on a rustic white tabletop.

CUCUMBER SALAD INGREDIENTS

During the spring and summer months, farmer’s markets are overflowing with beautiful fresh produce. This is the best time to find gorgeous cucumbers, lemons and dill for recipes like cucumber sandwiches. Below are the ingredients for making this delicious summer salad:

  • Long seedless cucumbers
  • Radishes
  • Plain Greek yogurt
  • Lemon juice
  • Lemon zest
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Virgin olive oil
  • Fresh dill
  • Garlic powder
  • Granulated sugar
  • Pink Himalayan salt
  • Black pepper

Fresh produce and spices for making cucumber salad with a creamy dill dressing.

CUCUMBER SALAD RECIPE

Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for making a flavorful, creamy cucumber salad!

  • STEP 1: Use a citrus zester to create lemon zest. Juice the lemon with a lemon press. Slice the cucumbers and radishes; add them to a salad bowl.
  • STEP 2: Prep the cucumber salad dressing. In a small bowl, add yogurt, dill, lemon zest, sugar and spices.
  • STEP 3: Combine the ingredients with a spoon.
  • STEP 4: In the salad bowl, fold the cucumber salad dressing into the veggies until all cucumbers and radishes are well coated. Sprinkle some extra salt and pepper on top. Garnish with long twisted strips of lemon zest and a few sprigs of dill.

Four images showing the step-by-step process for making an easy cucumber salad recipe.

CUCUMBER DILL SALAD

Because we eat with our eyes, this colorful dish will capture the attention of your 4th of July party guests! Once they dig in, they’ll enjoy the cool crisp crunch of these fresh garden veggies!

EXPERT TIPS

  • CUCUMBER SALAD DRESSING can be made a day in advance! Simple prep and mix the ingredients. Transfer the dressing to your favorite cruet. Store it in the refrigerator where it will slightly thicken up. This extra time will give the flavors some time to meld together. The longer it’s refrigerated, the deeper the flavor profile will be.
  • EASY INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS: If you don’t have Greek yogurt on hand, you can also use mayonnaise or sour cream. A quickie option is to just use ranch dressing! Lime juice and lime zest can be substituted for the lemon.
  • HOW TO SLICE CUCUMBERS: Cucumber salad tastes best when the veggies are freshly sliced. Use a mandoline slicer or your food processor to slice the cucumbers quickly and with the same thickness.
  • SHOULD I LEAVE THE CUCUMBER PEEL ON OR OFF? Although some people who suffer from digestive problems may find the peel hard to digest, if you and your family don’t have this type of health issue – be sure to leave the peel on! It’s full of magnesium and fiber as well as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. The bright green peel also makes this beautiful summer salad more vibrant and festive!
  • CAN YOU MAKE CUCUMBER SALAD IN ADVANCE? Yes! This tangy salad can be made a few hours in advance and refrigerated, but the longer it sits in the refrigerator, the more of a chance the cucumbers and radishes will become slightly limp; they won’t be as crunchy and crisp. Also, the dressing may become watery as the cucumbers release their juices. The best option is to prep the veggies and the cucumber salad dressing separately, and store them in separate air-tight containers until it’s time to assemble the salad.
  • HOW TO KEEP SALAD FRESH: When serving salad outdoors or in a warm environment, place the salad bowl on top of a larger-sized bowl that’s filled with ice. Then press down so the ice comes up around the edges of the salad bowl. I like using an iced-down chafing dish. This will keep the salad dressing from turning sour and help prevent food poisoning.
  • THE BEST KITCHEN TOOLS for making this recipe quickly: citrus zesterlemon press, and a mandoline slicer. When you invest in these helpful kitchen tools, you’ll find yourself using them for many different recipes!

Cucumber salad in a white bowl with a silver serving spoon.

BEST SUMMER SALADS


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Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com

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Cucumber salad in a white serving bowl on a rustic white tabletop.

Cucumber Salad


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Description

Crisp, refreshing cucumber salad is a summer-time favorite! Made with a delicious light dressing, this flavorful recipe is Grandma-approved! Serve it at family BBQs, picnics, and church potlucks. It takes only 15 minutes to make this recipe!


Ingredients

Scale

PRODUCE FOR CUCUMBER SALAD

  • 2 long English cucumbers
  • 68 radishes
  • Fresh dill
  • 1 lemon (for lemon zest)

CUCUMBER SALAD DRESSING

  • 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 4 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 teaspoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh dill
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • Pink Himalayan salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Zest two lemons. Juice one with a lemon press. Set them aside.
  2. Slice the cucumbers and radishes. Transfer them to a salad bowl.
  3. Prep the cucumber salad dressing: In a small bowl, add yogurt, dill, lemon zest, sugar and spices. Combine the ingredients with a small whisk or spoon.
  4. Pour the cucumber salad dressing over the cucumbers and radishes. With a spatula, fold in the dressing until all of the veggies are well coated. Sprinkle some extra salt and pepper on top. Garnish with a few strips of lemon zest and 3 sprigs of dill.
  5. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until serving time.

Notes

EXPERT TIPS

  • CUCUMBER SALAD DRESSING can be made a day in advance! Simple prep and mix the ingredients. Transfer the dressing to your favorite cruet. Store it in the refrigerator where it will slightly thicken up. This extra time will give the flavors some time to meld together. The longer it’s refrigerated, the deeper the flavor profile will be.
  • EASY INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS: If you don’t have Greek yogurt on hand, you can also use mayonnaise or sour cream. A quickie option is to just use ranch dressing! Lime juice and lime zest can be substituted for the lemon.
  • HOW TO SLICE CUCUMBERS: Cucumber salad tastes best when the veggies are freshly sliced. Use a mandoline slicer or your food processor to slice the cucumbers quickly and with the same thickness.
  • SHOULD I LEAVE THE CUCUMBER PEEL ON OR OFF? Although some people who suffer from digestive problems may find the peel hard to digest, if you and your family don’t have this type of health issue – be sure to leave the peel on! It’s full of magnesium and fiber as well as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. The bright green peel also makes this beautiful summer salad more vibrant and festive!
  • CAN YOU MAKE CUCUMBER SALAD IN ADVANCE? Yes! This tangy salad can be made a few hours in advance and refrigerated, but the longer it sits in the refrigerator, the more of a chance the cucumbers and radishes will become slightly limp; they won’t be as crunchy and crisp. Also, the dressing may become watery as the cucumbers release their juices. The best option is to prep the veggies and the cucumber salad dressing separately, and store them in separate air-tight containers until it’s time to assemble the salad.
  • HOW TO KEEP SALAD FRESH: When serving salad outdoors or in a warm environment, place the salad bowl on top of a larger-sized bowl that’s filled with ice. Then press down so the ice comes up around the edges of the salad bowl. I like using an iced-down chafing dish. This will keep the salad dressing from turning sour and help prevent food poisoning.

 

  • Prep Time: 15 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 Minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Mixing Bowl
  • Cuisine: American

Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com

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36 Comments

  1. Cucumbers and radishes are two things I LOVE in the summer time. What a delicious salad and I love the suggestion to keep the bowl on top of ice when you’re serving it outdoors.

  2. My favorite salad of the season, cucumber salad. I love the extra crunch in this salad using radish. Looks so delicious!






  3. I love salads for the summer and this one will fit right on in to cool me down. I have never done cucumbers by themselves but I would love to try it






  4. I’m a very visual person, so colorful recipes always get me. This cucumber salad looks so amazing that I’ll definitely have to try it!

  5. I don’t think I’ve ever had cucumber salad before. I do love cucumbers though. I’m sure this tastes delicious. I definitely want to try it.

  6. I’m growing my own radishes! Isn’t that a hoot? I want to make this, but I don’t think I will have enough, all at the same time. Guess I’ll have to go to the grocery store!






  7. This looks amazing & so refreshing! I made a recipe similar to this a little while ago & it turned out so tasty, so I’m excited to give this rendition a try!

    -madi xo






  8. I have to admit cucumber is not one of my favorites, unless it’s made into something like this! I have to save this to make for our next get-together. What a great salad!






  9. This sounds really good! I love that you used Greek yogurt instead of the mayo – it makes it a much healthier option!

  10. I have to admit cucumber is definitely one of my favourites! It is always so refreshing to have as part of a meal. This sounds like a great salad to make.

  11. I really like the combination of colors that you’ve come up with. Not only did you make this a healthy delicious recipe but also a really nice-looking one. It is such a wonderful summer recipe!






  12. I love a good a creamy cucumber salad and yours looks amazing. Right down to the English cucumbers and fresh dill. I just harvested a bunch of dillweed yesterday too.






  13. My son just harvested a row of radishes. I’ve been looking for some recipes to use them all. This looks like the perfect salad to try.

  14. This recipe looks so delicious and refreshing – absolutely beautiful to go with our BBQ which we are planning on having this coming weekend. Yumm