My mother-in-law taught me how to make this simple cucumber salad, and I absolutely loved hers. She made it all the time during the summer, and I could not believe how easy it was to make.
Now I make it every summer too, with fresh cucumbers, thinly sliced onion, a little mayo, garlic salt, and plenty of pepper. Scott actually likes mine more than hers—which is a huge compliment, because she is a great cook—although I think it is mostly because I season mine a little more generously.
The garlic salt and pepper are really to taste, so do not be afraid to taste the salad as you stir it together and add a little more if it needs it. The cucumbers release enough liquid to make a light, creamy dressing, so you really don’t need much mayonnaise at all.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Cucumber Salad
This is one of those recipes that hardly feels like a recipe once you have made it a few times. It is quick, simple, and a perfect way to use fresh summer cucumbers.
- Only five ingredients: Cucumbers, onion, mayonnaise, garlic salt, and black pepper are all you need.
- Easy to adjust: Taste it as you go and add more garlic salt or pepper until it is seasoned just the way your family likes it.
- Not too heavy: One heaping tablespoon of mayo lightly coats the vegetables, while the cucumbers release a little liquid to make the dressing creamy.
- Ready right away: You can serve it as soon as you stir it together, or let it chill in the refrigerator if you prefer it extra cold.
- A simple summer side dish: It goes with grilled meat, sandwiches, brats, burgers, and all those easy meals we eat when the garden is producing.
Make just enough for your meal, because it is best fresh before the cucumbers have time to get watery.
Ingredients
There are no exact cucumber or onion amounts for this salad because it depends on how much you need to make. Use as many cucumbers as you would like, then add onion to your family’s preference—we like a lot of onion in ours.
- Cucumbers
- Onion
- 1 heaping tablespoon mayonnaise
- Garlic salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Everything in this recipe is truly to taste, so start with the mayo and seasonings and adjust as you go. Taste it before serving, then add more garlic salt, pepper, or onion if that is how your family likes it best.
How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad
This cucumber salad comes together in just a few minutes, and you can adjust every part of it as you go. Start with a little seasoning, taste it, and add more garlic salt or pepper if you like yours more flavorful.
1. Slice the cucumbers and onion
Peel the cucumbers, then slice them thinly and add them to a large bowl. Thinly slice the onion and add as much as your family likes—we use plenty.
2. Add the mayonnaise and seasonings
Add one heaping tablespoon of mayonnaise, then dump in garlic salt and black pepper to taste. We use a lot. Stir everything together until the cucumbers and onions are lightly coated.
3. Taste and serve
Taste the salad and add more garlic salt or pepper if needed. The cucumbers will release a little liquid as you stir, making a light, creamy dressing without needing much mayonnaise.
Serve the salad right away, or refrigerate it for a little while if you prefer it cold. It is best eaten fresh, before the cucumbers have time to release too much liquid.
Tips for the Best Cucumber Salad
There really is not much to this recipe, but a few little things make a difference. The beauty of it is that you can keep tasting and adjust it until it is just right for your family.
Use smaller cucumbers when you can
Smaller cucumbers tend to have fewer seeds and a better texture for cucumber salad. Once cucumbers get large and seedy, the seeds can make the salad watery—and Scott definitely does not care for that.
Slice the cucumbers and onion thinly
Thin slices make the salad easier to eat and help the cucumbers and onions soak up the simple dressing. We like plenty of onion, but you can use less if your family prefers a milder onion flavor.
Start with just a little mayo
One heaping tablespoon of mayo is enough to get started, even if it does not look like much at first. The cucumbers release liquid as you stir everything together, so the dressing becomes light and creamy without being thick.
Taste and adjust the seasoning
The garlic salt and pepper are completely to taste, so do not be afraid to add more after you have stirred it together. I like mine well-seasoned, and Scott definitely prefers it that way too.
This is a salad that is meant to be simple, so there is no need to overthink it. Make it, taste it, and make it the way your family likes it best.
Can You Make Cucumber Salad Ahead of Time?
You can…. but I wouldn’t make it too far in advance. It’s always the last thing I make right before it’s time to eat.
You can make this salad a little ahead of time and refrigerate it though, if you prefer it cold. We usually don’t, because it is best when the cucumbers are still crisp and the dressing has not become too watery.
If you do make it ahead, give it a quick stir before serving. Try to make only what you will eat that day, since the cucumbers continue to release liquid as they sit.
How to Store Leftover Cucumber Salad
Store any leftover cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best eaten within a day, before the cucumbers soften and release too much liquid.
Give it a good stir before serving it again, but know that it will be more watery than it was when first made. The cucumbers will be a little softer as well.
Normally I’m all for leftovers, because then you don’t have to cook as much the next day, LOL. But this is one of those salads that is really best made with the intention of no leftovers.
What to Serve with Cucumber Salad
Creamy cucumber salad is a cool, simple side dish that goes with so many easy summer meals. It is especially good with anything grilled, smoked, or served on a bun.
- Smoked pork loin: The cool, creamy cucumbers are a good match for smoky pork.
- Smoked turkey: Serve it alongside sliced turkey for an easy summer meal.
- Ranch BBQ chicken sandwiches: This simple cucumber salad balances the smoky, saucy sandwich filling.
- Hamburgers or cheeseburgers: A classic cookout pairing.
- Brats, sausages, or hot dogs: Add it to any backyard grilling meal.
- Grilled chicken: Keep supper simple with chicken, cucumber salad, and a fresh garden vegetable.
It is also a good side dish for a potluck or a simple sandwich lunch. Make it right before serving so the cucumbers stay crisp and fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
This simple cucumber salad is very forgiving, and the amounts can be changed to fit your family. These are a few of the questions that may come up as you make it.
Do you peel cucumbers for cucumber salad?
Yes, we always peel the cucumbers before slicing them for this salad. It gives the finished salad a softer texture and keeps the cucumber skins from feeling tough.
Can I use English cucumbers?
Yes, English cucumbers will work just fine in this recipe. Peel and slice them as you normally would, then make the salad the same way.
Can I use Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise?
You can use Miracle Whip if that is what your family prefers, but I wouldn’t recommend it. (We are strictly a mayo household. 😆) Just so you know, it will give the salad a sweeter, tangier flavor than regular mayonnaise.
Why did my cucumber salad get watery?
Cucumbers naturally release liquid after they are sliced and mixed with the mayo and seasonings. That liquid is what turns the small amount of mayo into a light, creamy dressing at first, but the salad will become watery if it sits too long. You can drain some of the liquid out, but usually, if it’s too watery, it also means the cucumbers are too soft. I usually throw it out at that point.
Can I add dill, vinegar, or sour cream?
You certainly can if your family enjoys those flavors, but that is not how we make ours. This is the simple cucumber salad my mother-in-law taught me to make, with only cucumbers, onion, mayo, garlic salt, and black pepper.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- Cucumbers as many as you want
- Onions as many as you want
- Garlic Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Mayonnaise start with one heaping tablespoon
Instructions
- Peel and thinly slice the cucumbers.
- Peel and thinly slice the onions.
- Add the cucumbers and onions to a small bowl.
- Add one heaping tablespoon of mayo.
- Stir. Dump in as much garlic salt and pepper as you'd like. Stir.
- Taste, and add more mayo, garlic salt, and pepper, if needed.
- You can chill it for a few minutes or eat it immediately.
Notes
- The cucumber and onion amounts are flexible; use as much of each as you need, and adjust the onion to your family’s preference.
- Start with 1 heaping tablespoon of mayonnaise. The cucumbers release liquid as they sit, creating a light, creamy dressing without needing much mayo.
- Season with garlic salt and black pepper to taste. Taste the salad after stirring, then add more seasoning if needed.
- Serve right away or chill briefly before serving. It is best fresh, since the cucumbers will become watery if it sits too long.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 1 day.
Slow Down and Savor It
Summer just does not seem like summer until you have cucumber salad. It reminds me of my mother-in-law, standing in the kitchen, slowly stirring it all together, chatting away. Who knew something so simple could taste so good?
Now it is one of those recipes I make every year when cucumbers are plentiful and summer meals are easy. By the time winter hits, you should be a little sick of cucumber salad. LOL.
Then you know it was a good summer. 🍻
More Easy Summer Recipes
If you have extra garden vegetables or are putting together simple summer meals, these are a few more recipes to keep handy. They are the kind of easy, family-friendly dishes that go well with fresh cucumber salad.
Orange Glazed Pork Loin: A flavorful main dish that pairs especially well with a cool, creamy side salad.
Pan Fried Zucchini: An easy way to use another garden vegetable when zucchini season is in full swing.
Creamy Homemade Mac and Cheese: A comforting side dish for cookouts, family suppers, and casual summer meals.
Grilled BBQ Chicken Breasts: Serve this saucy chicken with cucumber salad for an easy warm-weather supper.
49 Summer Salads: Find more cold salads and simple side dishes for potlucks, cookouts, and busy summer days.
These recipes make it easier to use what is coming out of the garden while keeping supper simple.
