Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe (2024)

Grandma’s old-fashioned Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe. Super easy to make, this is a delicious blend of cucumbers and onions in a sweet, creamy sauce and is the perfect cucumber salad recipe!

Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

You may have called this old-fashioned creamy cucumber salad a cucumber onion salad, or perhaps simply a cucumber salad when growing up. I am pretty certain we always called it by the creamy cucumber salad name when I was growing up. This was served at every picnic and backyard BBQ when I was I was a youngster.

This is such an easy summer salad to make that makes great use of your garden cucumbers. And goodness knows I always have a bumper crop of cucumbers.

I had wanted to make this for quite some time and just had not done so. When Hubby saw it, he was skeptical; it really does not look like much of anything. After one bite, he was hooked! When we finished the first round, he kept asking me to make this creamy cucumber salad recipe again (and again, and again)! It truly is delicious.

This is a great recipe any time of year, but most especially, it is a refreshing side dish that is terrific on hot summer days. This is the perfect side dish to serve with hamburgers and hot dogs, grilled chicken, fresh fish, or another simple main dish.

Tips and variations for making this creamy cucumber salad recipe

● Not only is this a cucumber salad recipe to make, but it also keeps a long time when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

● When the cucumbers are all eaten, you will have quite a bit of juice leftover. Add more sliced cucumbers (and onions) to that existing juice-mix and marinate again!

● I keep this in a covered bowl and use make great use of my homegrown fresh cucumbers (I swear I am the cucumber-growing-queen). Early in the season, I will start with store-bought standard cucumbers or English cucumbers (because they have no seeds). Depending upon the kind of cucumber you buy (large cucumbers or smaller cucumbers), you may get more or fewer cucumber slices the tangy dressing will cover. Do not worry; the excess moisture generated by the cut cucumbers will ensure there is enough creamy dressing to coat and marinate the cucumber salad.

● I wrote six servings, but it is really eight to 10 servings depending on appetite.

● This creamy cucumber salad recipe is no-bake, but it does require time to marinate. You can make it the night before or early the morning of when you plan to serve.

● We use a mandoline slicer for uniform slicing, but a cutting board and knife also work!

● If you do not have a sweet onion, substitute a white onion instead. White onions are sweeter than yellow onions. If you do not specifically purchase or grow a sweet onion, substitute a generic white onion variety instead of a generic yellow onion. The kind of onion you use will influence the taste of this easy cucumber salad recipe. While I have used red onions in a pinch, and they do add a nice pop of color, they do change the taste of this creamy cucumber salad.

● This is the perfect salad to make the day before you need it. Call it a next-day salad if you like!

Creamy Cucumber Salad Ingredients:

● 4 large Cucumbers
● 1 medium Sweet Onion
● 1 cup Mayonnaise
● ½ cup White Sugar
● ¼ cup White Vinegar
● Salt and Pepper to taste

Creamy Cucumber Salad Mise en Place:

● Measuring Cup
● Mandoline (or knife and cutting board)
● Small Bowl
● Spatula
● Large or Medium Bowl with Lid

Creamy Cucumber Salad Directions:

● Wash, peel, and thinly slice 4 large cucumbers. Score the cucumber with a fork to remove bitterness. Use a mandoline for uniformity.
● Peel and thinly slice 1 medium sweet onion.
● Place the sliced cucumbers and onions in a ceramic, glass, or plastic bowl that has a lid.

● In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar. Mix until smooth.
● Turn the mayonnaise mixture into the cucumber and onion mixture, combine well.
● Salt and pepper to taste.

● Cover with a lid, shake lightly.
● Allow the cucumber salad to marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 6 hours (overnight works well).

● Refrigerate leftovers.

If you would like to try more refreshing summer salads, you may like these:

● Cucumber Caprese Salad – Hubby came up with this cucumber Caprese salad recipe years ago. It is fresh, easy to make, and totally delicious. It is one of the most popular recipes on my blog.

● Cantaloupe Prosciutto Mozzarella Salad Recipe – Just 15 minutes from refrigerator to table for this refreshing and tasty Cantaloupe Prosciutto Mozzarella Salad recipe! Excellent as a dish dish or lunch time meal.

● Four Color Caprese Salad Recipe – a riff off Hubby’s cucumber caprese salad recipe.

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