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Creamy, Crunchy Cucumber Salad

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Donna Urso

If you're looking for an easy cucumber salad recipe that doesn't use sour cream, this creamy cucumber salad is the answer. Crisp cucumbers and red onion are tossed in a simple mayonnaise dressing flavored with apple cider vinegar and celery seed for a cool, refreshing side dish.

It's the perfect summer side dish for picnics, cookouts, weeknight dinners, or any time the weather is too hot to turn on the oven.

Ready in just minutes, this old-fashioned cucumber salad is creamy, crunchy, and packed with flavor. This cucumber salad makes a cool side dish for a hot summer day.

You might even consider making this cucumber salad instead of potato salad for your next picnic or barbecue. It's that good.

Crunchy Cucumber Salad

You'll love the crunchy cucumber salad as a summer side dish.

This is not your momma's cucumber salad recipe. I've changed it up, replacing sour cream with mayonnaise and dill with celery seeds.  I love this version of cucumber salad and trust you will, too.

Two cucumber plants in my garden produced far more cucumbers than my husband and I could eat. After making cucumber sandwiches and adding cucumbers to salads, I started experimenting with a creamy cucumber salad that was a little different from the sour cream versions I grew up with. The celery seed turned out to be the ingredient that made all the difference.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It uses simple pantry ingredients
  • No sour cream required
  • Ready in about 10 minutes
  • Perfect for summer cookouts and BBQs
  • A great way to use garden cucumbers
  • Easy to make ahead

    • The Ingredients You'll Need

  • Cucumbers – English cucumbers or garden cucumbers work well.
  • Red onion – Adds color and mild sharpness.
  • Mayonnaise – Creates a creamy dressing.
  • Apple cider vinegar – Adds tang and balances the richness.
  • Celery seed – The secret ingredient that gives this salad its distinctive flavor.

    • Tips for the Best Cucumber Salad

    Jump to Recipe
    You don't want seeds in your salad.  Choose a seedless cucumber or remove the seeds. Removing seed is easy as can be, so don't sweat over it.

    Cucumber seed can be scooped out using a spoon.

    Cucumbers can be watery. If a watery dressing concerns you, place your lightly salted, sliced cucumbers in a colander and allow them to drain for about an hour.  Pat them dry. I don't bother with this step because I find the dressing coats the cucumbers well enough.  I serve with a slotted spoon.

    Use colorful ingredients. Use a red onion and some chopped fresh herbs for additional color.  Parsley, dill or chives are good choices.
    Color will make your cucumber salad look pretty.

    Taste as you go. Adjust the dressing flavors to suit your taste.  Make this salad your own.

    This salad is best consumed the day you make it. Your cucumbers may be less crisp, and the salad will get more watery the longer it sits in your refrigerator.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What brand of mayonnaise should I use? 

    Use your favorite brand.  Just be aware that flavors may differ from brand to brand.  That's why you always want to taste as you go.

    Do I have to use a red onion?  

    No.  The red onion adds a nice color to the salad.  Use what you like.

    Can I make this salad ahead of time? 

    The optimal time for serving this salad is one to three hours after you make it.  It will work to prep the salad ingredients and make the dressing ahead of time, but wait to assemble the salad closer to serving.

    What type of cucumber is best for cucumber salad?

    English cucumbers, seedless cucumbers, and garden cucumbers all work well.

    Do I need to peel cucumbers for cucumber salad?

    In general, I peel cucumbers that come from a store or are large and have tough skin.  If you are using young cucumbers fresh from your garden, you may want to leave the peels on for added color.

    How long does cucumber salad last in the refrigerator?

    The salad will last 1-2 days, but is best enjoyed on day one.

    Can I make cucumber salad without mayonnaise?

    Sour cream and Greek yogurt are often used as alternatives to mayonnaise.

    Why is my cucumber salad watery?

    Cucumbers are naturally made up of more than 95% water. Once they are sliced and mixed with salt or dressing ingredients, they begin releasing moisture. That's why cucumber salad often becomes watery after it sits for a while.

    To reduce excess liquid, sprinkle the sliced cucumbers with a little salt and place them in a colander for 30 to 60 minutes before making the salad. Pat them dry with paper towels before adding the dressing.

    I usually skip this step because the creamy dressing still coats the cucumbers nicely, and I serve the salad with a slotted spoon. Just keep in mind that cucumber salad is at its best the day it is made. The longer it sits in the refrigerator, the more liquid will collect in the bottom of the bowl.

    Two Summer Salads Video (includes Cucumber Salad)


    Other Summer Salads You Will Love

    How to Make Store-Bought Potato Salad Better




    Creamy Coleslaw 





    Pickled Beets




    Creamy Crunchy Cucumber Salad Recipe

    summer salad, summer side dish
    side dish
    American
    Yield: 4
    Author: Donna Urso
    Creamy Crunchy Cucumber Salad

    Creamy Crunchy Cucumber Salad

    Prep time: 10 MinInactive time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 10 M
    A creamy, crunchy, cool cucumber salad to serve as a side dish.

    Ingredients

    Instructions

    1. Peel your cucumbers and remove the seeds, if necessary
    2. Slice the onion thinly
    3. Combine the onion with the sliced cucumbers in a bowl.
    4. Prepare the dressing by mixing the remaining ingredients until well combined. Pour the dressing over the cucumber and onion mixture.
    5. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs as desired.
    6. Chill until served.

    Notes

    1. Use a spoon to remove large seeds from your cucumbers.
    2. If a watery dressing concerns you, place your lightly salted, sliced cucumbers in a colander and allow them to drain for about an hour. Pat them dry. I don't bother with this step because I find the dressing coats the cucumbers well enough. I serve with a slotted spoon.
    3. Serve the day you make this salad for best results.

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories

    218.54

    Fat (grams)

    21.22

    Sat. Fat (grams)

    3.29

    Carbs (grams)

    6.18

    Fiber (grams)

    0.79

    Net carbs

    5.39

    Sugar (grams)

    4.68

    Protein (grams)

    0.93

    Sodium (milligrams)

    229.71

    Cholesterol (grams)

    11.76

    Nutritional information is approximate.

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    ©Just One Donna

    Enjoy!

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