This Creamy Cucumber Salad is crisp, cool, and tossed in a tangy sour cream dressing packed with fresh lemon and dill. With its bright flavors and creamy crunch, it is a guaranteed hit with any meal you serve.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

• Goes perfectly with fish, chicken or just about any main course
• Great make ahead recipe, as the flavors are even better the next day
• Super popular and always a crowd pleaser
• Low in carbs and calories

There is nothing better than a cold, creamy cucumber salad to round out a summer BQQ cookout or brighten up weeknight meals. This easy creamy cucumber salad is cool, refreshing, and coated in the most delicious sour cream dressing you will ever taste. It pairs perfectly with fish, chicken, or just about anything you are serving.

I love that you can make it ahead of time and it just gets better as it chills, soaking up all that fresh lemon juice and dill flavor. It is the kind of recipe that feels simple but taste amazing in every way. Plus, it is naturally low in carbs, low in calories, and full of bright flavor that makes everyone want another helping. 

Whether you’re wanting cool and refreshing side dish to serve at your next potluck, picnic, outdoor BBQ or just for a quick snack, you just can’t go wrong with this creamy cucumber salad. Be sure and check out my Thai Cucumber Salad for a zesty alternative.

🛒 Ingredients for Creamy Cucumber Salad

• English cucumber
• Red onion
• Sour cream
• Fresh dill
• Mayonnaise
• White wine vinegar
• Lemon
• Garlic
• Monk fruit/allulose
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk

🔪 How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad

Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, garlic, sweetener, pepper, lemon juice and zest in a small mixing bowl.

Whisk until well combined, then set aside at room temperature while you chop the veggies.

Slice the cucumber to the thickness of your liking and add it to a large bowl.  If you use English cucumber, which I highly recommend, you don’t have to peel it or remove the seeds.  

Add the red onion, dill and the dressing over the top of the cucumbers.

Stir until well combined and the dressing is coating the cucumbers and onion.

Chill in the fridge in an airtight container for at least 1-2 hours to allow the cucumber to absorb the dressing.

☑️ Storage Instructions

Store creamy cucumber salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Stir before serving. This salad is not freezer-friendly as cucumbers release too much water when thawed.

🍴 What to Serve with Cucumber Salad

• Grilled Beef Kebabs
• Slow cooker shredded Mississippi Chicken
• Air fryer Shrimp or Chicken Tenders
• Baked Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce
• Slow Cooker Baby Back BBQ Ribs

💡 Tips for Making Cucumber Salad

• Always use large English cucumbers for the best crunch and fewer seeds.
• Slice the cucumbers evenly so they absorb the sour cream dressing perfectly.
• Salt the cucumbers lightly and pat them dry with if they seem too watery.
• Use full-fat sour cream for the creamiest texture and best flavor.
• Fresh dill makes a big difference but if needed, dried dill weed can work in a pinch.
• Grate the garlic finely so it blends into the dressing without overpowering.
• Let the salad chill for at least 1 to 2 hours so the flavors can really come together.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

Have fun creating your own variations of this creamy cucumber salad with some of these add-in options:

• Dressing: If you want to change out the dressing, this Homemade Ranch Dressing or this Creamy Italian Dressing.

• Cheese: Feta cheese, blue cheese or shredded parmesan are all great options to try.

• Sour cream: Swap half of the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a slightly tangier twist.

• Mint: Stir in a small handful of chopped fresh mint for a different burst of freshness.

• Vinegar: Replace white wine vinegar with apple cider vinegar for a different tangy flavor.

• Spice: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat with your cool cucumbers.

• Veggies: Black olives, cherry tomatoes, capers, jalapeño peppers, red or yellow bell peppers will add a lot of flavor and texture. Thinly sliced radishes can add extra crunch and color.

• Protein: If you’re wanting to make this a complete meal, try adding chopped cooked chicken or sautéed shrimp.

Are Cucumbers OK for Keto? Are Cucumbers High in Carbs?

Cucumbers are great for Keto! They are low in calories and low on the glycemic index. At just 1.6 grams of net carbs in a 1/2 cup serving, they are a great low carb food! Not only are they low carb and low calories, but cucumbers are also rich in vitamins and minerals. They are great source for vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium!

Should you Peel Cucumbers for a Salad?

You certainly can, but cucumber peels contains a good bit of fiber and nutrients you lose out on when you peel them. If you don’t care for the peeling on cucumbers, try using English cucumbers, as I recommend in this recipe. The peel is much thinner and less noticeable in texture.

How Do You Keep Cucumber Salad from Getting Watery?

If you are serving this salad immediately after making it, you won’t have to worry about it becoming too watery or soggy. But if you are making this salad several hours or up to a day in advance, toss them with about 1-2 tablespoons of salt, making sure to coat the slices evenly. Then, let them rest for about 30 minutes, then drain and press them slightly with paper towels.

Can I Use Regular Cucumbers Instead of English Cucumbers?

Yes, but you will want to peel them and remove the seeds for the best texture.

Other Great Uses for Cucumbers

If you grow your own cucumbers, then you’ll know it’s easy to end up with an overabundance of them during the summer. Check out some of these creative ways to put your crop to good use:

• Give yourself the spa treatment: Add some slices of cool cucumbers to some sparkling or mineral water.

• Juice it up: Cucumbers are a great source of vitamin B. If you’ve got a juicer, you can make so many amazing juice combinations. Add lemon, fresh mint and parsley for even more nutrients.

• Fix bad breath: I know, bad breath is something no one wants to talk about. But did you know that phytochemicals in the cucumber will kill the bacteria in your mouth leaving you with fresher breath? Try it!

• Defog your mirrors: You’ll just have to try this one to believe it. Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the surface of your clean dry mirror before showering. It will eliminate the fog!

• Soothes a sunburn: Peel and mash a cucumber. Applying a tiny amount of cucumber directly to the skin can give you some relief. Not only does it act as an anti-inflammatory, but it can also reduce the redness of your skin.

🍽️ More Keto Salad Recipes

• Cauliflower Potato Salad
• Caprese Salad
• Broccoli Salad with Bacon
• Antipasto Salad
• Greek Salad

*Originally published on March 15, 2022, updated on May 16, 2025 with improvements to the recipe, new photos, new recipe information and helpful tips.