Creamy Cucumber Salad: A Family Favorite Recipe
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This is the creamy cucumber salad recipe I’ve been making forever. It’s the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy, and it goes well with nearly every main dish. It’s super simple to make and is always a hit!
This cucumber salad has been on my family’s menu for more than 30 years. When I was a kid, my family asked me to make it for dinner, and now it’s a recipe I pass down by asking my eight-year-old to help make it. It’s simple, familiar, and one of those dishes that never goes out of style.
Crunchy cucumber slices tossed in a creamy dressing are a classic for a reason. A generous amount of black pepper is what really makes this salad shine. I skip sugar entirely—sweetener tends to make cucumber salad watery and oddly sweet. You’ve got two great options here: a lighter, tangier version made with yogurt and a little mayo, or a fully creamy all-mayo version, which happens to be my personal favorite. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either.
READ MORE: Cucumber Tomato Salad
Tips for making the best creamy cucumber salad
While this is a simple salad, we’ve learned a few tricks over the years to make it the best.
- Use an English cucumber. These are the long, thin cucumbers that don’t need to be peeled. They are crunchier than field cucumbers and don’t need to have their seeds removed. Mini cucumbers also work well.
- Try peeling a few long strips of the cucumber skin. When you slice it, there will be a pretty pattern along the edge of each cucumber round.
- Adding a little vinegar and lots of black pepper cuts the richness of the dressing.
How long does this salad last?
While it tastes best the same day it’s made, you can store it in your fridge for 4-5 days. The cucumber slices will become a little soft, but they will still be tasty.
This salad stays fresh-tasting for many hours, so it’s a good choice to pack for a picnic or to take to a friend’s potluck.
What to serve with cucumber salad
Anything! Seriously, this is a salad recipe that goes well with everything from BBQ chicken made in the oven to curry made with lentils. Here are a few of our favorites:
Creamy Cucumber Salad: A Family Favorite Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 English cucumber (sliced into rounds)
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (see notes)
- ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons minced red onion
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Slice the cucumber and place the rounds into a medium-sized bowl.1 English cucumber
- Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl.3 tablespoons mayonnaise, ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons minced red onion, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Mix well and then serve right away.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
I love the recipe. But my guest of honor hates mayonnaise. Could I use all yoghurt or substitute 2 TB of sour cream for the mayo? Which would you suggest? Or…alternatives?
Thank you.
I would opt for sour cream!
This is really easy and really tasty! I used burpless cucumbers from my garden, sliced very thin on the mandolin slicer, and added a half teaspoon of garlic powder. Great side dish with a sandwich for lunch or any meal.
So happy that you enjoyed this recipe, Betty!
It’s absolutely delicious! I love the simplicity and tangy undertones! It pairs beautifully with a smoky addition!
Love tge simplicity of recipe aling with something different in a salad