Cucumbers and Sour Cream Salad – Creamy Cucumber and Dill Salad
Cucumbers and sour cream salad is a tangy cucumber salad with a hint of spice from the combination of cucumbers, onions, sour cream, hot sauce, fresh dill weed, and vinegar. This is an old-fashioned creamy cucumber and dill salad recipe that I pulled from our Ladies Aid cookbook and, of course, doctored up a notch with flavor to my taste. It was delicious. Garden fresh salads are always the best all summer long.
When we have a glut of cucumbers, we have to make refrigerator pickles and cucumber pizza on naan bread. But this cucumber salad is now a summer favorite. You will not be disappointed with this salad. It is simple to put together and a cool, refreshing salad on a hot summer night.
Creamy Cucumber Salad Ingredients
There are many versions of a creamy cucumber salad. This one was chosen because of one spicy ingredient listed in the ingredients.
To make this version of cucumbers and sour cream, you will need these ingredients:
- Cucumbers – Any cucumber in the garden will work for this recipe. If you are buying cucumbers, English cucumbers will work perfectly.
- Red onions – While white onions or sweet onions will work, the taste of the red onions is what I prefer in this recipe.
- Fresh dill – If you have an herb garden with fresh dill plants, the fresh dill weed brings great fresh flavor to this salad.
- Sour cream – While sour cream is the preferred creamy dairy for this salad. However, plain Greek yogurt can also be used in this salad.
- White vinegar – The standard white vinegar is all you need to bring tanginess together.
- Salt and Pepper
- Hot sauce – The hot sauce is totally optional for this recipe, but I love adding siracha sauce to my cucumber salad.
How to Make Cucumbers and Sour Cream?
To have the best cucumber salad, you will need to start by prepping your cucumbers. Peel partially or completely and then slice the cucumbers with a mandolin. I actually slice them fairly thin, using the middle thickness. Once they are sliced, place the sliced cucumbers in a colander and sprinkle with salt and toss to coat. Place colander over a bowl and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This will pull excess water from the cucumbers to make your salad less liquid. After the chill, rinse the cucumbers and drain well. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
In a medium bowl, mix the sour cream, hot sauce, vinegar, dill weed, onion, and fresh ground pepper to make a sour cream dressing over the top of the sliced cucumbers. You can whisk the dressing together in a separate bowl and then stir into the cucumbers also. Garnish with additional dill weed and pepper. Serve cucumbers and sour cream salad immediately.
This creamy cucumber salad is perfect for a side dish for BBQs or a great summer salad for potlucks and pitch-ins.
Substitutions for Cucumber and Sour Cream Salad
Cucumber and sour cream salad is versatile, and you can make plenty of substitutions to suit dietary preferences, ingredient availability or simply to change up the flavors. Here are some common substitutions:
1. Cucumbers
- Zucchini: Thinly sliced zucchini can offer a similar crunch and texture.
- Radishes: For a spicier, crunchier bite, radishes are an excellent alternative.
- Carrots: Thinly sliced or julienned carrots add a sweet crunch.
2. Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt: A great substitute that adds protein and a slight tang.
- Mayonnaise: For a richer, creamier texture. You can also use a combination of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt.
- Crème Fraîche: Offers a slightly tangier and creamier texture.
- Vegan Sour Cream: If you are looking for a dairy-free option, there are several vegan sour cream brands available.
3. Dill
- Fresh Parsley: Provides a different but still fresh herbaceous note.
- Chives: Add a mild onion-like flavor.
- Mint: For a refreshing and slightly sweet flavor.
- Cilantro: Adds a different, slightly citrusy flavor.
Tips and Variations
- Add a Kick: For a spicy twist, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
- Make it Creamier: For a richer dressing, substitute part of the sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Experiment with fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or mint for different flavor profiles.
- Include Other Vegetables: Thinly sliced radishes or bell peppers can add extra crunch and color to your salad.
Garden Recipes
Here are more recipes that use your garden bounty. You can find more salad recipes and side dishes.
Serving Suggestions
Cucumber and sour cream salad is incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas on how to serve it:
- As a Side Dish: Pair it with grilled meats, fish, or burgers for a refreshing contrast.
- On Sandwiches: Use it as a topping for sandwiches or wraps to add a creamy, crunchy element.
- With Seafood: It goes particularly well with seafood dishes, especially smoked salmon or grilled shrimp.
Cucumber and Sour Cream Salad
Equipment
- Collander
- mandoline
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel and slice the cucumbers and place in a colander.
- Sprinkle with salt and coat the cucumbers. Place the colander filled with cucumbers over a bowl to collect the water that drains off and put it in the fridge. Chill for 30 minutes and then rinse the cucumbers and drain off excess water. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Mix the sliced onions, sour cream, hot sauce, dill weed, vinegar, and pepper into the cucumbers.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
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