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Fresh from the garden ~ crispy, Cold Cucumber Salad with fresh dill ~ a delicious salad made with a just a few fresh ingredients. Think creamy dill pickle!
In a matter of days, the unofficial end of summer will sneak up on us and just like that, it will be gone. After one last hurrah the Labor Day barbecues will also be over, tailgating parties will replace backyard pool parties and our thoughts will turn to pumpkins, holidays and fleece jackets. Before we change out all the clothes in our closet, let’s celebrate with one last essential summer salad – the Cold Cucumber Salad (Garden-to-Table). This is one of those recipes that may not immediately strike you as essential or delicious, but I hope you will give it a chance.
This salad is made with just a few ingredients but is so crisp, cold and delicious, you don’t want to miss it.
I’m not even a big fan of dill, but I can’t resist this salad. It almost tastes like a creamy dill pickle – which may sound strange at first, but it’s so delicious!
These cucumbers represent some of the last we’ll pick from the garden this year. There are a few more still growing but no more blooms. It’s really kind-of sad. Just like that, all our fresh vegetables will be gone. I’m going to miss cucumbers this year as they have been my constant dinner companion for at least two months. These cucumbers were still warm from the sun and are as crisp as you would imagine … sniff sniff.
Cucumbers are peeled, and sliced and tossed in a bowl with red onion, vinegar and salt. After resting for about 30 minutes, the cucumbers are drained in a colander for another 30 minutes. The hands on time is minimal and the cucumbers do the rest of the work.
The creamy part includes fresh chopped dill, ground black pepper, and equal parts mayonnaise and sour cream. You don’t need a lot of dressing because the cucumbers and onions have soaked up the vinegar and are packed with flavor.
That’s it – refrigerate until ready to serve and keep your fingers crossed that you’ll get seconds before it’s all gone.
Don’t forget to Pin for later!
Cold Cucumber Salad (Garden-to-Table)
Ingredients
- 4 small to medium cucumbers peeled and sliced
- ½ cup thin sliced red onion
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 heaping tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- Fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the peeled and sliced cucumbers with the red onion in a large glass mixing bowl. Pour the vinegar and salt over the mixture and toss to combine. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 30 minutes, at room temperature.
- While the cucumbers are marinating, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped dill and about ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper in a small bowl or measuring cup. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Pour the cucumbers into a colander to drain. Leave for 30 minutes, tossing occasionally.
- Gently mix the cucumbers and dressing together with a spatula until combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with fresh dill and additional black pepper if desired.
Recipe Notes
- The prep time includes the marinating and draining time. The actual hands on time is about 10 minutes.
- Recipe adapted from a recipe on the Food Network.
Nutrition
We love cold salads in the summer months and especially a good potato salad like this Southern Style Mustard Potato Salad ~ from Its Yummy. If you love summer salads too, don’t miss our favorite Heirloom Tomato Salad with Cucumbers & Onion and this super Easy Pasta Salad with Zesty Italian Dressing.
Happy Monday friends! Do you have big plans for the week? I always seem to have this long list that never goes away, but I guess thats better than being bored. With the long holiday weekend ahead do you plan a cook-out or take the extra days to go to the beach? We haven’t finalized our plans but I think it will include something on the grill. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
Pat C.Wilson
rightttt… this is one of my favorites. I eat cucumber salad everyday. this dish is really good for the one who want to loss the weight or want to have a nice body. forwarding more recipe from you, Tricia.
enjoy your new week!
Susan
I had to smile when I saw this because I have just been playing with a similar recipe using my homegrown cukes 🙂 I have a bumper crop this year also and have been trying new ways to use them. I love eating a cuke salad for lunch.
Tricia Buice
There is something about this salad that is addictive. The flavor is just about perfect! Our cucumbers finally died as we’ve had so much heat and no rain. Cooler weather is heading our way and we are ready but will miss our cucumbers! Have a great week 🙂
Wendy
I love marinated cucumber salads! One year my daughter planted cucumbers (which she dislikes) by mistake, instead of zucchini (which she loves). I was the lucky recipient of a bumper crop of cucumbers! I made marinated cucumber salads all summer long. This year we don’t have cucumbers in our garden, but that won’t stop me from trying this salad! Farmer’s market produce to the rescue.
Tricia Buice
I know you are going to love it Wendy. Thanks so much! Wish you lived close by and I could share our bumper crop – three plants produced an enormous amount of cucumbers. Thanks again!
cheri
There is nothing like a fresh summer cucumber, love this salad Tricia!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Cheri! It’s very refreshing and so good 🙂
Monica
At first glance, I was expecting potato salad but this is better and lighter with cucumbers. I know every bite has to be packed with flavor. I think that’s a signature of yours. : ) I can’t believe it’s nearly Sept. I am not ready!!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Monica – cucumbers are some of my favorite garden vegetables. Have a lovely long weekend!
John/Kitchen Riffs
I do like dill — love it, in fact, particularly with cucumbers — so this dish is for me. Really super combo of flavors — so nice. Thanks!
Tricia Buice
Thank you John!
Sara
This looks so delicious, I love a good cucumber salad and have never tried a creamy version before!
Tricia Buice
It’s worth trying Sara – it tastes delicious and exceeds expectations. Enjoy!
Mandy
What a lovely way to serve cucumber.
Have a super day.
🙂 Mandy xo
Tricia Buice
We’ve served it every other way for the past few months, thought we would change it up with a special and easy recipe. Have a love week Mandy!
Gerlinde @Sunnycovechef
That is a good looking salad Tricia. My mother always made a similar cucumber salad when I was a kid. Homegrown veggies are the best.
Tricia Buice
Don’t you love food memories Gerlinde? Have a lovely week 🙂
Mimi
The only reason I don’t move north for the summer is fresh goodies from the garden. And this salad is summer perfection. Counting the days till fall…
Tricia Buice
Thanks Mimi!
Monique
I bet it is delicious.
I had clients that used to make a great cucumber salad..I never asked for the recipe..now I have my own thanks to you.
Tricia Buice
This is so easy and delicious Monique! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Chris Scheuer
I’m hoping that bowlful has my name on it Tricia! It looks wonderful. We’re still getting quite a few cukes but I have a feeling that will soon be over and this is a must.
Tricia Buice
Your garden is amazing this year Chris – and I know you would enjoy this recipe with your fresh cucumbers. Wish I could share this bowl with you!
Pam
Perfect, love this salad, esp. when the cucs are straight from the garden. Signs here of fall being around the corner with flowers and the veggie garden, sad enough to make me cry! 🙂
Tricia Buice
I know Pam – even though it has been so hot and dry, I’m not ready for fall yet!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
This is like the deconstructed version of the soup! This looks light and refreshing, perfect for our triple digit weather this week 🙂
Tricia Buice
I will have to look into the soup because I love this super side dish! Keep the heat on the west coast please – we are heat weary 🙂 Have a great week Sue and thanks!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
I think cucumber and dill are really great together. This is a lovely harvest salad.
Tricia Buice
Thanks Angie! Have a super week.
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
I am such a fan of field/garden cucumbers (unlike my daughter, who seems to think English cucumbers are the only ones worth eating). She doesn’t know what she’s missing! This is a perfect way to enjoy them. Love the dill 🙂
Tricia Buice
I love the English cucumbers too – put picked early, these cukes have tremendous flavor without the giant seeks. This is a great side dish – hope you give it a try!