Description
This Creamy Cucumber Salad is crisp, tangy, and refreshing—a perfect summer side dish inspired by Ina Garten. With crunchy cucumbers, sweet red onions, and a silky yogurt-dill dressing, it’s elegant enough for entertaining yet simple enough for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
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2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
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1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
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22 g (1 ½ tbsp) kosher salt (for draining cucumbers and onions)
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480 g (2 cups) whole-milk plain yogurt, strained for 4+ hours
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120 g (½ cup) sour cream
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15 ml (1 tbsp) white wine vinegar
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15 g (3 tbsp) fresh dill, chopped
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10 g (2 tsp) kosher salt (for dressing)
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6 g (1 ½ tsp) freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
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Place cucumbers and onions in a bowl, toss with 22 g salt, and transfer to a colander over a bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours (or overnight). Discard liquid.
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Strain yogurt in a towel-lined strainer for 4+ hours. Discard liquid.
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Pat drained cucumbers and onions dry.
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In a bowl, whisk yogurt, sour cream, vinegar, dill, 10 g salt, and pepper until smooth.
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Add cucumbers and onions, toss gently.
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Cover and refrigerate 2–3 hours before serving. Adjust seasoning and serve chilled.
Notes
English cucumbers work best—they’re less watery.
Draining the cucumbers and yogurt prevents a watery salad.
Add garlic or lemon juice for extra zing.
For a shortcut, swap strained yogurt with Greek yogurt.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus 4+ hours draining)
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook, Assembling
- Cuisine: American / Mediterranean-inspired