This Cucumber Onion Salad is a cool, creamy side dish made with crisp cucumbers, thinly sliced red onion, and a tangy sour cream dressing. It's a simple recipe that comes together quickly and tastes even better after chilling.
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A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Cucumber Onion Salad
🕒 Ready In: ~25 minutes (including chilling time)
👪 Serves: 4 servings
🍽 Calories: ~120 per serving (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Cucumber, red onion, sour cream, mayonnaise, dill
📖 Dietary Info: Vegetarian; gluten-free; vegan option
👌 Difficulty: Easy - no cook salad
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The creamy dressing is balanced with lemon juice, vinegar, fresh dill, and oregano, creating a fresh, savory flavor that pairs well with grilled meats, sandwiches, or weeknight dinners. Light, refreshing, and easy to make ahead, this cucumber onion salad is a classic summer staple.
If you enjoy simple side salads like this, you might also like our Broccoli Bacon Salad, Walnut Pear Salad, or Greek Shrimp Salad. These easy recipes are perfect for warm weather meals and casual gatherings.
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Why You'll Love this Cucumber Onion Salad:
Cool and Creamy: Crisp cucumbers and thinly sliced red onion are coated in a tangy, creamy dressing that's refreshing and satisfying.
Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and fresh herbs, this salad is easy to throw together without extra prep.
Great Make Ahead Side: Letting the salad chill helps the flavors blend, making it even better after a little time in the fridge.
Perfect for Warm Weather: This light, chilled salad pairs well with grilled meats, sandwiches, or picnic style meals.
Key Ingredients:
- cucumber. Use English or Persian cucumbers for a crisp texture and mild flavor. If using regular cucumbers, peel and seed them to prevent excess water.
- red onion. Adds color and a mild sharpness. Slice thinly so it doesn't overpower the salad. You can soak the onion in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow its flavor.
- mayonnaise. Adds richness and helps balance the acidity from the lemon juice and vinegar. Use Homemade Mayonnaise for the best flavor.
- vinegar. Provides a sharp tang that complements the creamy dressing and keeps the salad light and refreshing.
- fresh dill. Brings a bright, herbal note that pairs perfectly with cucumber. If using dried dill, substitute 1 teaspoon.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Vegan Option: Use dairy-free sour cream and vegan mayonnaise to make the salad completely vegan while keeping the same creamy texture.
- Dairy-Free Option: Swap the sour cream for a dairy-free alternative and keep the mayonnaise as is for a dairy-free version.
- Extra Crunch: Add sliced radishes or diced bell pepper for additional texture.
- Herb Swap: Fresh parsley or chives can be used in place of dill for a slightly different flavor.
- Lighter Dressing: Use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream for a lighter, tangier dressing if preferred.
How to Make Cucumber Onion Salad:
- Add the sliced cucumber and red onion to a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, white vinegar, fresh dill, and dried oregano until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the cucumber and onion mixture and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
- Serve chilled as a side dish or light snack.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Slice Thinly: Thinly slicing the cucumber and onion helps the dressing coat everything evenly and keeps the texture light.
- Drain if Needed: If your cucumbers release a lot of liquid, gently blot them with a paper towel before mixing to prevent a watery salad.
- Chill Before Serving: Letting the salad rest in the refrigerator helps soften the onion and allows the flavors to come together.
- Adjust to Taste: Taste the dressing after chilling and adjust the salt, pepper, or acidity if needed.
- Serve Cold: This salad is best served well chilled for the most refreshing flavor.
How to Store:
Refrigerator: Store cucumber onion salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Stir before serving, as some liquid may collect at the bottom as it sits.
Freezer: Not recommended, cucumbers will lose their texture and become watery once thawed.
Make ahead: Prepare the dressing and slice the vegetables up to a day in advance, but keep them separate until just before serving to maintain crispness.
Cucumber Onion Salad FAQs:
Use fresh cucumbers, slice them thinly, and blot them dry if they release excess moisture. Stirring before serving also helps redistribute the dressing.
Yes, cucumber onion salad can easily be made vegan by using dairy-free sour cream and vegan mayonnaise. The rest of the ingredients are already plant-based.
Cucumber onion salad is best served cold. Chilling helps soften the onion, allows the dressing to absorb into the cucumbers, and creates a more balanced flavor. It can be served at room temperature briefly, but the texture and taste are best when chilled.
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Cucumber Onion Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Add the sliced cucumber and red onion to a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, white vinegar, fresh dill, and dried oregano until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the cucumber and onion mixture and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
- Serve chilled as a side dish or light snack.
Nutrition
Notes
- Slice Thinly: Thinly slicing the cucumber and onion helps the dressing coat everything evenly and keeps the texture light.
- Drain if Needed: If your cucumbers release a lot of liquid, gently blot them with a paper towel before mixing to prevent a watery salad.
- Chill Before Serving: Letting the salad rest in the refrigerator helps soften the onion and allows the flavors to come together.
- Adjust to Taste: Taste the dressing after chilling and adjust the salt, pepper, or acidity if needed.
- Serve Cold: This salad is best served well chilled for the most refreshing flavor.
Lillian says
Ahhh this was soo good- my husband was obsessed