This creamy cucumber salad is cool, crisp, and refreshing, with sliced cucumbers, red onion, fresh mint, and a tangy yogurt dressing made with lemon, olive oil, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
If you love fresh cucumber sides, try my Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad for something with more punch. This salad also pairs beautifully with Easy Smash Burger Tacos, while Pineapple Coleslaw is another crisp side for cookouts. For a refreshing drink alongside it, serve a cold glass of Homemade Lemonade.
The full-fat yogurt makes the dressing creamy without feeling too heavy, while fresh mint and lemon keep everything bright. The main thing is controlling the moisture from the cucumbers so the dressing stays thick enough to coat every slice.
What Is Creamy Cucumber Salad?
Creamy cucumber salad is a chilled cucumber side dish coated in a creamy dressing.
This version uses full-fat Greek or plain yogurt instead of mayonnaise or sour cream, then adds lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh mint, garlic, red onion, salt, and pepper.
The combination gives you crisp cucumber, sharp onion, cool mint, and a creamy, tangy dressing in every bite.
Table of contents
Ingredients
Let’s Make Creamy Cucumber Salad with Greek Yogurt
- Slice the cucumbers into thin half-moons or rounds. If using standard cucumbers with large seeds, remove the watery center first.
- Finely slice the red onion and chop the mint leaves.
- In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the sliced cucumbers, red onion, and chopped mint to a large bowl.
- Pour the creamy lemon yogurt dressing over the cucumber mixture.
- Toss gently until the cucumbers are evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust with more lemon juice, salt, or pepper if needed.
- Serve right away, or chill for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
How to Keep Creamy Cucumber Salad From Getting Watery
Cucumbers naturally contain a lot of water, so moisture control makes a big difference in a creamy cucumber salad.
After washing the cucumbers, dry them well before slicing. The FDA recommends rinsing fresh produce thoroughly under running water before preparing it; you can follow their guidance for safely washing fresh produce, then dry the cucumbers before cutting.
If the sliced cucumbers release visible liquid while you’re preparing the other ingredients, drain that liquid before adding the yogurt dressing.
Full-fat yogurt also helps because it gives the dressing more body than a very thin low-fat yogurt.
Once everything is combined, toss only until the cucumber slices are evenly coated. The dressing should cling to the vegetables rather than pool heavily at the bottom of the bowl.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Leaving the cucumbers wet: Water on the surface of the cucumbers can thin the yogurt dressing.
Using very thin yogurt: A watery yogurt produces a much looser salad.
Adding more lemon immediately: Stick with the tested 2 tablespoons before deciding whether the salad needs more acidity.
Cutting the red onion too thick: Thin slices blend better with the cucumber and creamy dressing.
Using too much garlic: One clove gives the dressing enough garlic flavor without overpowering the mint and lemon.
Substituting fresh mint and dried mint in equal amounts: Dried mint is more concentrated, so keep the tested quantities.
Overmixing: Toss gently so the cucumber slices stay intact.
What to Serve With Creamy Cucumber Salad
This salad works especially well with:
- Grilled chicken
- Chicken kabobs
- Burgers
- Sandwiches
- Grilled fish
- Salmon
- Lamb
- Rice dishes
- Roasted potatoes
- Pita bread
- Cookout meals
The cool yogurt dressing is especially good next to grilled, spicy, or richly seasoned foods.
Creamy Cucumber Salad with Yogurt and Mint
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Slice the cucumbers into thin half-moons or rounds. If the cucumbers have large watery seeds, remove the center before slicing.
- Finely slice the red onion and chop the mint leaves.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the sliced cucumbers, red onion, and chopped mint to a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the lemon yogurt dressing over the salad.
- Toss gently until the cucumbers and onion are evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust with more lemon juice, salt, or pepper if needed.
- Chill for 15 to 20 minutes if desired, then serve cold.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Use Greek yogurt for a thicker dressing or plain yogurt for a looser dressing.
- If the cucumbers are very watery, lightly salt them, let them sit for 10 minutes, then pat dry before mixing.
- Add the dressing close to serving time for the best crunch.
- Fresh mint gives the brightest flavor, but dried mint works in a smaller amount.
- Soak sliced red onion in cold water for a milder taste.
- This salad does not freeze well.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator and stir before serving.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!FAQs
Yes. Greek yogurt works very well and makes the dressing thicker and creamier. If it feels too thick, stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons of water or lemon juice.
Not always. English cucumbers and tender-skinned cucumbers do not need peeling. If the cucumber skin is thick or waxy, peel it before slicing.
Use firm cucumbers, remove large seeds if needed, and dress the salad close to serving time. You can also salt the sliced cucumbers briefly, then pat them dry.
Yes, but it is best to keep the dressing separate until close to serving. Once mixed, the salad is freshest within the first few hours.
Yes. Use 2 teaspoons dried mint in place of the fresh mint. Rub it lightly between your fingers before adding to release more flavor.
It is great with grilled chicken, chicken skewers, burgers, fish, pita bread, rice bowls, kebabs, and BBQ meals.
Key Takeaways
- This creamy cucumber salad with Greek yogurt is refreshing and easy to prepare in 15 minutes.
- Made with simple ingredients, it pairs well with grilled meats and BBQ dishes.
- You can make it ahead by storing the dressing separately to avoid excess water.
- Customize the salad with ingredients like feta, dill, or spicy elements for extra flavor.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
