Old Fashioned Creamy Cucumber Salad is a refreshing, light, and creamy dish that’s perfect for summer cookouts, picnics, or any meal that needs a cool side. The key to this classic recipe lies in the balance of tender cucumbers, a rich creamy dressing, and fresh herbs. Here’s a detailed recipe to guide you through creating this timeless favorite.
1. Old Fashioned Creamy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2 large English cucumbers
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup sour cream or mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt (divided)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers thoroughly. If using English cucumbers, you don’t need peel them. Next, slice the cucumbers thinly using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to ensure even slices.
Salt the Cucumbers: Place the cucumber slices in a colander, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of salt, and toss gently. Allow the cucumbers to sit for about 10-15 minutes. Afterward, drain and pat the cucumbers dry with paper towels to remove any released water.
Make the Dressing: In a mixing bowl, combine the sour cream (or mayonnaise), vinegar (or lemon juice), sugar, remaining ½ teaspoon of salt, black pepper, and fresh dill. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.
Combine: Add the prepared cucumbers and onions to the dressing. Toss everything together gently until the cucumbers are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or more dill if desired. Serve chilled and enjoy!
2. Tips for Perfect Creamy Cucumber Salad
Choose the Right Cucumbers: Use English cucumbers or seedless cucumbers for the best texture and flavor. These cucumbers have fewer seeds and thinner skins, making them ideal for a salad. Regular cucumbers can be used but might need peeling to avoid bitterness.
Slice Thinly: The thinner you slice the cucumbers, the better they absorb the creamy dressing. Thin slices also maintain a delightful crispness, which is key to the salad’s texture.
Salting the Cucumbers: Salting helps to remove excess water from the cucumbers, ensuring your salad doesn’t become soggy. Don’t skip this step! After salting, gently pat the cucumbers dry to prevent excess moisture from diluting the dressing.
Use Fresh Dill: Fresh herbs like dill bring out the authentic, classic flavor of creamy cucumber salad. If fresh dill isn’t available, dried dill works too, but fresh herbs provide a brighter, more aromatic taste.
Chill Before Serving: Allow the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This gives the cucumbers time to absorb the dressing and enhances the flavors. The colder, the better!
3. What to Eat with Cucumber Salad
Old Fashioned Creamy Cucumber Salad is versatile and pairs wonderfully with a wide range of dishes. Here are a few meal ideas to enjoy it with:
Baked Meats: The cool and creamy flavors of cucumber salad complement grilled meats beautifully. Serve it with BBQ chicken, baked steak, pork chops, or burgers. The salad adds a refreshing balance to the smoky richness of baked foods.
Sandwiches and Wraps: Cucumber salad works well as a side dish to sandwiches or wraps. It pairs particularly nicely with turkey, chicken, or ham sandwiches, adding a crisp and creamy contrast to the savory fillings.
Fish Dishes: Light, delicate fish dishes like grilled salmon, whitefish, or tilapia are perfect when paired with cucumber salad. The refreshing cucumber salad enhances the mild flavors of the fish.
Picnics and Potlucks: Cucumber salad is a popular choice for picnics or potlucks due to its simple ingredients and ability to serve a crowd. It pairs wonderfully with other classic picnic dishes like coleslaw, pasta salad, and roasted vegetables.
Asian-Inspired Dishes: Serve the cucumber salad alongside Asian-inspired dishes like baked teriyaki chicken, sushi, or stir-fried vegetables. The creamy dressing offers a nice contrast to the bold, savory flavors typical of Asian cuisine.
Light Lunches: For a lighter meal, serve the cucumber salad with a fresh, leafy green salad or a slice of crusty bread. It’s also great as a side to quiche or frittatas, providing a refreshing note to the richness of egg-based dishes.
Old Fashioned Creamy Cucumber Salad is a timeless and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in other ways. With a few simple ingredients and tips, it’s easy to create a refreshing and satisfying side dish.
