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Creamy Cucumber Salad with Fresh Dill: Easy No Mayo Recipe

creamy cucumber salad with fresh dill - featured image

A quick and easy creamy cucumber salad made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo, featuring fresh dill and a simple salting trick to keep it crisp. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and hot summer days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large English cucumbers
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for salting cucumbers)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and slice the cucumbers into thin rounds (about 1/8-inch thick) using a sharp knife or mandoline.
  2. Place the sliced cucumbers in a colander set over a bowl or in the sink. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and toss gently. Let sit for 15-20 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
  3. While cucumbers rest, thinly slice the red onion. If sensitive to raw onion’s bite, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, and black pepper. Taste and adjust tanginess if needed.
  5. Rinse the salted cucumbers briefly under cold water to remove excess salt. Pat very dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
  6. Transfer dried cucumbers to a large mixing bowl. Add sliced red onion and chopped fresh dill. Pour dressing over the top and toss gently with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until evenly coated.
  7. For best flavor, let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  8. Before serving, give a final stir and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice if needed.

Notes

The salting step is crucial to prevent a watery salad. For best results, let the salad rest for 30 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days, but best within 24 hours. Do not freeze.

Nutrition

Keywords: cucumber salad, creamy cucumber salad, no mayo, Greek yogurt, fresh dill, easy side dish, summer salad, potluck recipe