If you're looking for a light and healthy side dish to accompany your meals - this Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream and Dill is it. The perfect combination of crisp cucumbers, aromatic dill, and a tangy sour cream dressing that brings everything together. This cucumber dill salad is ready in just 2 minutes and only 70 calories per portion.
This creamy cucumber salad is a great way to use up lots of cucumbers if you are growing them and this will be a staple at BBQs and picnics this summer. Cucumbers might not taste of much by themselves, but this cucumber recipe is full of flavor with the creamy sour cream and fresh dill dressing.
An easy to put together side dish, this cucumber salad with dill and sour cream tastes far more indulgent than it is. This cucumber salad will see you all through summer, as there are so many different ways to serve it.
Looking for more cucumber recipes? Take a look at our quick Pickled Cucumbers, easy Cucumber Sushi Boats, our delicious Asian Cucumber Salad or, for a great curry side dish, our Cucumber Raita Recipe.
Jump to:
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Cucumber - Try to choose thin cucumbers with small seeds (or even a seedless variety) for this cucumber salad with sour cream. Opt for English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers for their thin skins and fewer seeds.
- Red onion - You can use white onion if you prefer, or even spring onions (scallions). The red onion adds a nice color though. If the onion's flavor is too strong for your liking, you can soak the slices in cold water for about 10 minutes to mellow it out, then drain and pat dry.
- Fresh dill - Fresh is always best as dried dill just doesn't have the same taste.
- Sour cream - This is the traditional ingredient, but if you want to save some calories you can use a low fat or fat free Greek yogurt.
- Fresh lemon juice - This adds a nice bit of acidity to the dish. You can leave it out if you like or use an apple cider vinegar for a more sour taste.
Variations
- Add Some Crunch: For extra texture, consider adding some sliced radishes, spring onions (scallions/green onions) or a handful of toasted nuts like almonds or walnuts to this cucumber dill salad recipe.
- Creamy Twist: If you want to make this extra creamy, then some feta crumbled on top before serving is delicious. Stilton is also a great addition.
- Herb Swap: While dill is the star of this salad, you can experiment with other fresh herbs like mint, chives or parsley for a different flavor profile.
- Low-Calorie Option: Substitute the sour cream for Greek yogurt or use a dairy-free alternative for a vegan-friendly dish.
How To Make Sour Cream and Dill Cucumber Salad - Step By Step
- Step 1: Slice the cucumber thinly. Season with salt.
- Step 2: Add the rest of the ingredients.
- Step 3: Mix until all the cucumber and onion is completely coated with the sour cream. Refrigerate until serving.
Mizeria (Polish Cucumber Salad)
This dill cucumber salad recipe is based on Mizeria, a traditional Polish dish. Mizeria is normally made with sour cream, but you can use 0% Greek yogurt to keep it lower in calories.
Interesting fact: Mizeria is the Polish word for "misery". There is nothing miserable about this fresh, summery dish though, and Polish people do not associate the word with being miserable.
Serving Suggestions
In Poland, this is served with, among other things, pork schnitzel, but it makes a great side dish for many meals. Here are just a few ideas of what to serve creamy cucumber salad with:
Tips For Making The BEST Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream and Dill
- If you want a less sour taste, leave out the lemon juice.
- Replace the sour cream with yogurt to save some calories.
- Some chopped sun-dried tomatoes are delicious mixed in to this.
- Dress the cucumber just before serving to maintain its crispness.
- You can peel the cucumber if you prefer, but keeping it adds extra texture and fiber.
- For a little extra flavor you can add some finely crushed garlic.
- For a more aesthetically pleasing presentation, use a mandoline slicer.
- Taste as you go and season according to your tastes.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make it in advance and keep it in the fridge, but for the crispest and freshest taste we recommend dressing it just before serving.
This will keep in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 2 days. It is not suitable to freezing, as the liquids will form ice crystals, causing the sour cream to split when defrosted.
More Salad Recipes
If you’ve tried this Polish cucumber salad, then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream and Dill
Ingredients
- 1 Cucumber
- 4 tablespoon Sour cream
- 2 tablespoon Fresh dill - chopped
- 1 Garlic clove - crushed
- 2 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
- 2 pinch Sea salt
- 1 pinch Ground black pepper
Instructions
- Slice 1 Cucumber thinly. Season with 2 pinch Sea salt.
- Put into a bowl and add 4 tablespoon Sour cream, 2 tablespoon Fresh dill, 1 Garlic clove, 2 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar and 1 pinch Ground black pepper.
- Mix until the cucumber slices are completely coated with the sour cream mixture. Refrigerate until serving.
Recipe Tips
- If you want a less sour taste, leave out the lemon juice.
- Replace the sour cream with yogurt to save some calories.
- Dress the cucumber just before serving to maintain its crispness.
- You can peel the cucumber if you prefer, but keeping it adds extra texture and nutrients.
- For a little extra flavor you can add some finely crushed garlic.
- For a more aesthetically pleasing presentation, use a mandoline slicer.
- Taste as you go and season according to your tastes.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Kim says
I really enjoyed this salad. I actually had some leftover pulled pork from the night before and they were the perfect match!
Casey says
The sour cream perfectly complements the dill and the cucumber slices in this recipe. Absolutely delicious!
Chenee says
My mom used to make this salad a lot when I was a kid. It brings back so many memories!
Helen says
This looks gorgeous. I've only recently discovered 'creamy' cucumber salads and they're delicious. Your recipe looks so easy and tasty - thanks!
Soniya says
This looks and sounds perfect for all the cucumber growning in my garden .. can't wait to try it
Angela says
You had me at ready in 5 minutes. This salad is delicious with the fresh dill!
Alison says
I love the combination of dill and cucumbers! This salad is super easy and big on flavor! The more dill the better!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
There's something so refreshing about a cucumber salad and plenty of flavour in this one. Love the addition of dill. Making this when we have salmon.
kerri says
We made this for a small get together for my husbands birthday and everyone raved over it! Will make over and over!
Heidy says
This Cucumber Dill Salad was perfect for our family get-together we had the other day. Everyone asked for the recipe link! I will be making this again soon.
Have a great weekend.
H
Jacque Hastert says
This comes along with me to all our potlucks and family gatherings! I always leave with an empty bowl and everyone asks for the recipe. Thank you!
Beth Sachs says
A delicious light and fresh tasting side salad. Perfect with grilled fish.