Craving a refreshing dish that's both creamy and zesty? Get ready to discover the ultimate Creamy Cucumber Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing that will tantalize your taste buds and become your new go-to recipe!
It's simple, delicious, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Dressing
To make the dressing, I like to whisk together 1 cup of full-fat Greek or plain yogurt — trust me, the full-fat makes it extra creamy! — with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, which adds a fruity richness that's just amazing.
Next, I add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. I love that tangy flavor! We'll also toss in a minced garlic clove. And finally, don't forget a pinch—about 1/2 teaspoon each—of salt and pepper. For a hint of sweetness that complements the lemon, a tiny drizzle of honey, in line with a balsamic dressing, adds a delightful depth.
Now, here's a little secret: let the dressing sit for at least 20 minutes so those flavors can really get to know each other. It makes all the difference! You can even prep it way ahead—it will last for days… if you can resist eating it with a spoon, that is.
Cucumber
Now that we've got our Creamy Lemon Yogurt Dressing prepped and ready to go, let's move on to the star of the show—the cucumber! I think they don't get enough credit!
For this recipe, I'm using about 3 standard-sized cucumbers. If you're using the longer English cucumbers—those are sometimes called Telegraph cucumbers—2 should do the trick!
I usually cut my cucumbers in half lengthwise. Then, I slice them into thin pieces. I try to aim for about 3mm or 1/8 inch—so they're not too chunky, you know?
You can leave the peel on for extra texture… or peel them if you're not a fan. No pressure! Just make sure you wash the cucumbers really well first, alright? It stops dirt getting in your salad. That wouldn't be nice.
That's it for the cucumber prep – simple, right? Perfect!
Toss
Once the cucumbers are sliced up, I grab a mixing bowl – yep, the same one I used for the dressing, because less dishes! Now, add those cucumber slices, the finely sliced red onion, and the chopped mint. I think it looks beautiful—a colorful mix that's only going to get better! This vibrant lemon dressing is equally refreshing on cucumbers as it is on broccoli.
Pour over that creamy lemon yogurt dressing we made earlier. Don't be shy, make certain it covers everything. Okay, are you ready?
Now, the fun starts:
- Gently toss the salad to coat everything evenly.
- Try not to smash the cucumbers, okay?
- Make certain every slice gets a little love from the dressing.
- And finally, don't over-mix it – a light coating is key!
Serve it up immediately! I hope you love this salad as much as I do!
Short Recipe Version
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper.
- Add sliced cucumbers to the dressing.
- Gently toss to coat.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition (Per Serving, Estimated):
- Calories: 80
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 5g