Creamy Cucumber Salad

Make this cucumber salad with mayo for a simpler spin on sumptuous tzatziki sauce. It’s light, creamy and tangy, with a satisfying cucumber crunch in each bite. Once you’ve mastered this recipe, you’ll be making it over and over while garden cucumbers are in season.

But this is not just a summer recipe. You can offer this creamy cucumber salad as a side dish any time you’re serving rich, spicy or heavily seasoned meats. The dressing adds a smooth, clean finish and balances other seasonings, so taste buds are never overwhelmed.

Ingredients for Creamy Cucumber Salad

• Mayonnaise: The mayo provides a creamy texture and tangy taste.
• Sugar: You’ll want to use white sugar for sweetness without changing the color of the dressing.
• White vinegar: The vinegar adds acidity to cut through the oils in the mayo.
• Salt: Just 1/4 teaspoon salt adds depth of flavor and draws moisture out of the cucumbers.
• Cucumbers: Thinly slice the cucumbers using a mandolin, food processor or sharp blade.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the ingredients and chill

Kayla Blydenburgh for Taste of Home

In a large bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sugar, white vinegar and salt.

Kayla Blydenburgh for Taste of Home

Toss the dressing with the sliced cucumbers, then cover the bowl and refrigerate for two hours before serving.

Editor’s Tip: You can salt the cucumbers first to draw out excess liquid. Pour off the liquid before adding the cucumbers to the mayo dressing.

Kayla Blydenburgh for Taste of Home

Creamy Cucumber Salad Variations

• Increase the crunch: You can add chopped celery, red onion, radish or thin-sliced garlic without overloading on vegetables.
• Use sour cream: To cut down on calories, replace the mayo with sour cream or Greek yogurt, or use a half-and-half mix.
• Add herbs: Fresh dill is often added for a subtle aniseed flavor.

How to Store Creamy Cucumber Salad

This quick salad is best made fresh, but you can store leftovers, covered, for two to three days in the refrigerator.

Can you make creamy cucumber salad ahead of time?

Yes! It’s a popular side dish for cookouts, and you can save time by making it a day or two ahead. Keep in mind that the cucumbers will lose some of their snap and make the dressing watery, so stir in more mayo just before serving or pour off the liquid.

Creamy Cucumber Salad Tips

Kayla Blydenburgh for Taste of Home

What can I serve with creamy cucumber salad?

Serve it alongside barbecued ribs, burgers or hot wings. You could also enjoy it with homemade flatbread or celery sticks.

How can I enhance the flavor of this cucumber salad?

To boost the flavor, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for heat, or try a squeeze of lemon juice with lemon zest for a brighter, more citrusy dressing.

What types of cucumbers are best?

Choose a thin-skinned variety that doesn’t need peeling and has minimal seeds. English, garden, mini or Persian cucumbers work well. Just wash them and leave the skin on.