Creamy Cucumber Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing Recipe
This creamy cucumber salad is a refreshing and crunchy side dish featuring English cucumbers tossed in a garlicky Greek yogurt dressing with fresh dill and a hint of lemon. After salting and draining, the cucumbers become crisp and perfectly ready to complement spicy or savory meals, making it an ideal cool appetizer on a warm day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat
Ingredients
Salting the Cucumbers
- 2 English cucumbers
- Kosher salt (a big pinch for salting)
Greek Yogurt Dressing
- 3/4 cup whole milk Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, stems removed, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Black pepper, to taste
- A good pinch of salt
Additional Ingredients
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced into half moons
Instructions
- Peel and Slice the Cucumbers: Partially peel the English cucumbers, leaving some peel to create stripes. Slice each cucumber lengthwise in half, then use a metal spoon to scrape out and discard the seeds. Cut the cucumbers crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices.
- Salt the Cucumbers: Place the cucumber slices in a large colander. Season generously with kosher salt and toss well to combine. Set aside in a clean sink or bowl for 20 to 30 minutes to allow the cucumbers to release excess moisture and become crisper.
- Make the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole milk Greek yogurt, red wine vinegar, lemon zest and juice, chopped fresh dill, garlic powder, a good pinch of salt, and black pepper. Chill the dressing in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Combine the Salad: Once the cucumbers have drained, pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess liquid. Add the cucumber slices and thinly sliced red onions to the bowl with the yogurt dressing, tossing until all ingredients are evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Garnish the creamy cucumber salad with additional fresh dill and serve immediately for best freshness and crunch.
Notes
- Partially peeling the cucumbers helps maintain a appealing striped look and texture.
- Salting the cucumbers and resting them helps them stay crisp by drawing out moisture.
- Patting dry after salting is crucial to avoid a watery salad.
- This salad pairs wonderfully with spicy dishes as a cooling side.
- Use whole milk Greek yogurt for a creamier texture; low-fat yogurts can work but will be less rich.
