A refreshing, crunchy, and creamy salad made with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, thinly sliced red onions, and fresh dill tossed in a tangy, creamy dressing. It’s easy to prepare, perfect for summer meals, and delicious as a side dish for grilled chicken, fish, or sandwiches.
Recipe Details
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 0 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty: Easy
- Diet: Vegetarian, gluten-free
Ingredients
For the salad
2 medium cucumbers, quartered and sliced3 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges½ medium red onion, thinly sliced2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
For the creamy dill dressing
½ cup (120 g) sour cream2 tbsp mayonnaise1 tbsp fresh lemon juice or white vinegar1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)1 small garlic clove, minced (optional)½ tsp salt, or to taste¼ tsp black pepper
0 of 11 ingredients checked
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the vegetables
Wash the cucumbers and tomatoes. Cut the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces, slice the tomatoes into wedges, and thinly slice the red onion. Place everything in a large salad bowl.
Step 2: Make the dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Step 3: Add fresh dill
Stir the chopped fresh dill into the dressing. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and lemon juice as needed.
Step 4: Toss and serve
Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently until everything is coated. Serve immediately or chill for 10–15 minutes to let the flavors develop.
Nutrition Information
Estimated per serving, based on 4 servings with sour cream and mayonnaise.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150–180 kcal |
| Protein | 2–3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8–10 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Net carbs | 6–8 g |
| Fat | 13–16 g |
| Sugar | 5–7 g |
Nutrition will vary with the size of the vegetables and the brands of sour cream and mayonnaise.
Nut Information & Allergy Guide
- Contains nuts: No nuts are required in this recipe.
- Tree-nut allergy: Generally suitable when all packaged ingredients are free from nut contamination.
- Peanut allergy: No peanuts are needed.
- Dairy: Contains sour cream. For a dairy-free version, use a suitable plant-based sour cream.
- Egg allergy: Mayonnaise often contains eggs. Choose an egg-free mayonnaise if needed.
- Gluten: Naturally gluten-free when all ingredients are verified gluten-free.
- Mustard: Dijon mustard is optional and may trigger mustard allergies.
Always check product labels and cross-contact warnings if cooking for someone with food allergies.
Tips for the Best Salad
- Prevent watery dressing: Remove excess cucumber seeds if the cucumbers are particularly watery.
- Keep it crunchy: Add the dressing shortly before serving.
- Mellow the onion: Soak sliced red onion in cold water for 5–10 minutes, then drain well.
- Make it lighter: Replace some or all of the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
- Boost the flavor: Add extra fresh dill and a little lemon zest.
- Add protein: Serve alongside grilled chicken, chickpeas, boiled eggs, or grilled fish.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q1: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes. Chop the vegetables and prepare the dressing separately up to one day ahead. Combine them just before serving for the best texture.
Q2: Can I use dried dill instead of fresh dill?
Yes. Use about 2 teaspoons of dried dill in place of 2 tablespoons of fresh dill. Fresh dill generally gives the brightest flavor.
Q3: Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely. Plain Greek yogurt creates a tangy, creamy dressing and adds more protein.
Q4: Why does my salad become watery?
Cucumbers and tomatoes naturally release water, especially after salting. Drain excess liquid before adding the dressing, and avoid mixing the salad too far in advance.
Q5: Is this salad keto-friendly?
It can fit some low-carb diets when portions are controlled. Cucumbers and tomatoes contain carbohydrates, so it is not carb-free.
Q6: How long does it last in the refrigerator?
For the best quality, eat it within 1–2 days when refrigerated in a covered container. The vegetables will soften and release more liquid over time.
Q7: Can I make it without mayonnaise?
Yes. Replace the mayonnaise with additional sour cream or Greek yogurt. The dressing will still be creamy and delicious.
Q8: What can I serve with this salad?
It pairs well with grilled chicken, baked fish, burgers, roasted vegetables, wraps, and sandwiches.
Q9: Can I add feta cheese?
Yes! Crumbled feta adds a salty, tangy flavor that complements the cucumbers, tomatoes, and dill.
Q10: Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Yes, if you store the chopped vegetables and dressing separately. Toss everything together just before eating to keep the vegetables crisp.
Enjoy your creamy cucumber, tomato, and red onion salad! It’s fresh, colorful, easy to customize, and perfect for picnics, family dinners, and summer lunches.
