Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad (Printer-friendly)

Light cucumber salad tossed in a creamy yogurt dressing with fresh dill, ideal for summer meals.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Dairy

03 - 1 cup Greek yogurt, whole milk or low-fat

→ Fresh Herbs

04 - 3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

→ Pantry

05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or lemon juice
07 - 1 teaspoon sugar, optional
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

10 - Extra dill sprigs
11 - Freshly ground black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place sliced cucumbers and red onion in a colander. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes to remove excess moisture. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, sugar if using, salt, pepper, and chopped dill until smooth and well combined.
03 - Add the dried cucumbers and red onion to the dressing. Toss gently until all vegetables are evenly coated.
04 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning as desired with additional salt, pepper, or vinegar.
05 - Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with extra dill and black pepper just before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes, which means you can have something elegant on the table before anyone gets impatient.
  • The creamy dressing feels indulgent but actually keeps things light and bright, making it perfect alongside grilled fish or as a lunch that doesn't weigh you down.
  • Dill and cucumber are meant for each other, and this salad lets them do their quiet magic without competing flavors getting in the way.
02 -
  • If you skip the salting and draining step, your beautiful salad will become a soupy mess within an hour no matter how thick you make the dressing. The water in cucumbers is relentless, so respect the process.
  • Don't stir the salad too aggressively or the cucumbers will break down and release even more water. A gentle toss is all it needs, and if you're making this ahead, toss it again right before serving.
03 -
  • Use a vegetable peeler or mandoline to get your cucumber slices paper-thin, which helps them absorb dressing and looks restaurant-quality without any fuss.
  • If you're serving this to someone who doesn't like raw onion, reduce the amount to half a small onion or soak your slices in cold water for five minutes before adding them to soften their bite.
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