🥒🍅 Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad
Cool, crisp, creamy, and refreshing, this Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad is an easy side dish that’s perfect for summer lunches, barbecues, picnics, and weeknight dinners. Crunchy cucumbers and juicy tomatoes are tossed with red onion and a tangy, creamy dressing.
⏱ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Difficulty: Easy
🛒 Ingredients
🥒 For the Salad
- 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 3 ripe tomatoes, chopped
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or dill, chopped, optional
🥣 For the Creamy Dressing
- ½ cup (120 g) sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, optional
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder, optional
Instructions
🥒 1. Prepare the Vegetables
Wash and dry the cucumbers and tomatoes.
Slice the cucumbers thinly and chop the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.
Thinly slice the red onion.
Place everything in a large mixing bowl.
If your cucumbers have particularly watery centers, scoop out some of the seeds before slicing to help keep the salad from becoming too watery.
🥣 2. Make the Creamy Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Vinegar
- Sugar, if using
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder, if using
Whisk until completely smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust the seasoning.
🍅 3. Combine
Pour the dressing over the cucumber, tomato, and onion mixture.
Gently toss until the vegetables are evenly coated.
Be careful not to stir too aggressively, as ripe tomatoes can break apart.
❄️ 4. Chill
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
This gives the flavors time to blend and makes the salad extra refreshing.
🌿 5. Garnish & Serve
Just before serving, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or dill.
Give the salad a gentle toss.
Serve chilled.
⭐ Chef’s Tips
Salt Carefully
Tomatoes and cucumbers release water when salted. Add the salt gradually and avoid salting the vegetables heavily long before serving.
Use Fresh Tomatoes
Firm, ripe tomatoes work best because they provide plenty of flavor without becoming mushy.
English Cucumbers Work Great
They’re crisp and have fewer seeds, making them especially good for creamy salads.
Don’t Dress Too Early
For the best texture, prepare the dressing ahead but combine it with the vegetables shortly before serving.
🥗 Delicious Variations
Dill Cucumber Tomato Salad
Add 1–2 tablespoons fresh dill to the dressing.
Feta Version
Add ½ cup crumbled feta cheese for a salty, tangy twist.
Greek-Inspired
Add feta, fresh oregano, olives, and a squeeze of lemon.
Extra Garlic
Add 1 small freshly minced garlic clove to the dressing.
Lighter Version
Replace half of the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
Spicy Version
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or finely chopped jalapeño.
🍽️ What to Serve With It
This salad is especially good alongside:
- Grilled chicken
- Burgers
- Steak
- BBQ ribs
- Grilled fish
- Pulled pork
- Baked potatoes
- Sandwiches
It’s also wonderful alongside grilled meats at a summer cookout.
🧊 Storage
Store the salad covered in the refrigerator.
Best enjoyed: Within 24 hours.
It can be kept for approximately 2 days, but the vegetables will gradually release more liquid and become softer.
If excess liquid collects at the bottom, gently drain some before serving.
🥒🍅 Recipe Summary
This Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad is wonderfully simple: crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, crunchy red onion, and a tangy sour-cream dressing come together for a refreshing side dish that takes just minutes to prepare.
Cool, creamy, crunchy, and perfect for summer! 🥒🍅✨