The Best Ina Garten Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Summer

Cucumber salad brings refreshing coolness to any meal, transforming simple ingredients into a delightful culinary experience.

Her signature creamy cucumber salad represents a classic summer staple that whisks you into a world of crisp, tangy flavors.

Smooth and light, this dish balances rich textures with bright, zesty notes that dance across your palate.

Fresh garden vegetables combine with creamy dressing to create a harmonious blend of taste and nutrition.

Each forkful promises a symphony of cool cucumber crunch and silky, herb-infused smoothness.

The recipe captures simplicity and elegance in one delectable preparation that elevates ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Bright and refreshing, this salad offers a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, sandwiches, or as a standalone summer treat: dig in and savor every bite!

How to Keep It Crunchy Yet Smooth

Step 1: Slice And Drain Cucumbers

Grab fresh cucumbers and slice them paper-thin using a sharp knife or mandoline. Sprinkle salt over sliced cucumbers and let them rest in a colander for 15-20 minutes to release excess moisture. Gently rinse cucumbers and carefully pat dry with clean paper towels.

Step 2: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

• Sour cream
• Fresh chopped dill
• White vinegar
• Granulated sugar
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk everything together until smooth and well blended.

Step 3: Create Salad Magic

Fold sliced cucumbers and thinly chopped red onions into the creamy dressing. Gently toss until every cucumber and onion piece is beautifully coated with the tangy mixture.

Step 4: Chill And Enhance Flavors

Cover the salad and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to mingle and intensify. Serve super cold as a refreshing side dish perfect for summer gatherings or light lunches.

Tips to Avoid Wateriness in Creamy Salads

• Master Thin Slicing: Use a sharp mandoline or a very sharp knife to create paper-thin cucumber slices that absorb dressing perfectly and look elegant.
• Salt Smartly: Don't skip the salting step – it draws out moisture, ensuring your salad stays crisp and doesn't become watery or soggy.
• Dressing Depth: Mix the dressing ingredients thoroughly to blend flavors, allowing herbs and seasonings to merge for a more complex taste profile.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigeration isn't just about cooling; it allows ingredients to mingle and develop a richer, more integrated taste experience.
• Serving Strategy: Serve the salad cold and fresh, preferably within a few hours of preparation to maintain the cucumber's crunch and dressing's vibrant flavor.

Storage Advice for Keeping It Crisp

• Vacuum Seal: Extract all air using a vacuum sealer to preserve cucumber crispness and prevent moisture buildup. This method extends freshness by blocking bacterial growth and maintaining salad texture for up to 5 days.
• Glass Container Strategy: Transfer salad into a clean glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Glass prevents odor absorption and keeps ingredients fresher compared to plastic containers, maintaining the salad's delicate flavor profile.
• Drain Excess Liquid: Before storing, use a slotted spoon to remove extra dressing and moisture. Separation prevents soggy cucumber slices and helps maintain the salad's original crunch and vibrant taste during refrigeration.

Additions to Brighten the Creamy Mix

• Summer Garden Fresh: Skip the dressing and use a light vinaigrette with fresh herbs like basil and mint, perfect for hot days and showcasing crisp seasonal vegetables.
• Spicy Mediterranean: Add crumbled feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a zesty Greek-inspired cucumber salad with bold Mediterranean flavors.
• Crunchy Asian Fusion: Replace white vinegar with rice vinegar, add sesame oil, julienned carrots, and top with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions for an Asian-style cucumber salad with extra texture and tangy notes.
• Herb Lovers Edition: Incorporate multiple fresh herbs like chives, parsley, and tarragon instead of just dill, creating a vibrant green salad with complex herbal undertones and refreshing taste.

Recap of the Creamy Cool Salad

Cucumber salad sensations emerge from Ina Garten’s signature recipe, promising crisp, refreshing delights.

Creamy dressing complements cucumber slices with tangy sophistication.

Mediterranean influences dance through each delectable bite.

Fresh dill whispers herbal secrets across cool vegetable landscapes.

Summer gatherings sparkle with this simple yet elegant side dish.

You’ll find friends leaning in for seconds, sharing smiles, and hitting like on social media – spread culinary joy, snap a photo, and let connections bloom.

Why Creamy Cucumber Salad Cools Just Right

• Unlock Fresh Summer Flavors: This cucumber salad bursts with crisp, cool tastes that capture the essence of warm-weather dining, making it perfect for picnics, barbecues, and light meals.
• Simplify Culinary Elegance: The recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic chopping skills, allowing even novice cooks to create a restaurant-quality side dish with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
• Master Quick Prep Technique: By salting and draining cucumbers first, you'll eliminate excess water and ensure a crunchy, non-watery salad that maintains its incredible texture and doesn't become soggy.
• Customize Your Comfort: The flexible recipe lets you swap sour cream for Greek yogurt, adjust vinegar with lemon juice, and modify sweetness, giving you total control over the final flavor profile while keeping preparation super simple.

Everything in Ina’s Creamy Cucumber Bowl

• Cucumber: Crisp and watery vegetable that provides the base of the salad, best when fresh and firm.
• Red Onion: Sharp and colorful ingredient that adds a tangy crunch to the salad, mild varieties work best.

• Sour Cream, Greek Yogurt: Smooth and rich base that creates a tangy and creamy texture for the salad.
• White Vinegar, Lemon Juice: Bright acidic liquid that helps balance the creaminess and adds a zesty flavor.

• Fresh Dill: Delicate herb with a distinctive flavor that complements the cucumber perfectly.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the salad.
• Sugar: Optional sweetener that can balance the acidity of the dressing.

Ina Garten Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cool Mediterranean cucumber salad introduces crisp freshness with Ina Garten’s signature creamy dressing. Quick and elegant side dish combines tangy yogurt, fresh dill, and sliced cucumbers for a perfect summer companion you’ll crave at every gathering.

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Ingredients

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Vegetables:

• 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

Dairy:

• 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) white vinegar or lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sugar (optional)
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) salt, plus extra for salting cucumbers
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) black pepper

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Instructions

1. Salt cucumber slices in a colander to extract moisture, allowing them to rest for 15-20 minutes. Thoroughly rinse and gently blot dry with paper towels to remove excess liquid.
2. Create a creamy dressing by whisking together smooth sour cream or tangy Greek yogurt with finely chopped fresh dill, zesty white vinegar, a touch of granulated sugar, and a balanced blend of salt and freshly ground black pepper until ingredients are fully integrated.
3. Gently fold sliced cucumber and thinly shaved red onion into the prepared dressing, ensuring each vegetable slice is generously coated with the herb-infused mixture.
4. Allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, enabling the flavors to harmonize and develop a more complex taste profile. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light accompaniment.

Notes

• Squeeze every bit of moisture from the cucumbers to ensure a crisp, refreshing salad texture that won’t become soggy.
• Gently massage salt into cucumber slices to draw out excess water, creating a more concentrated flavor profile.
• Prepare dressing ingredients in advance to let the flavors meld and intensify while the cucumbers release their liquid.
• Mix herbs just before serving to maintain their vibrant color and fresh, aromatic quality.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days, understanding the salad might release more liquid over time.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg