Dill Cucumber Salad (Light & Refreshing)

This dill cucumber salad is the light, refreshing side dish that goes with absolutely everything. Crisp cucumbers and red onion in a tangy Greek yogurt dressing with tons of fresh dill.

No heavy mayo here. Just Greek yogurt, sour cream, lemon juice, and enough fresh dill to make it taste like spring. The cucumbers stay crisp, the red onion adds bite, and the dressing is creamy without being heavy.

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Why You’ll Love This

• 15 Minutes – No cooking required
• Light & Fresh – Perfect for spring and summer
• Make-Ahead Friendly – Actually better after chilling
• Versatile Side – Goes with everything from grilled chicken to Easter ham
• Healthier than Mayo-Based – Greek yogurt keeps it light

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To make this Dill Cucumber Salad, you’ll need:

• Large Salad Bowl – For mixing and serving
• Sharp Knife or a Mandoline – For slicing cucumbers and onions
• Fresh Dill – Don’t substitute dried here

Greta

Dill Cucumber Salad (Light & Refreshing)

Light and refreshing cucumber salad with Greek yogurt dressing and fresh dill. No mayo, ready in 15 minutes, perfect for spring and summer.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 2

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

For the Dressing:

• ⅓ c. Greek yogurt
• ⅓ c. sour cream
• 1½ T. fresh lemon juice
• 1 T. fresh dill finely chopped
• ½ t. garlic powder
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste

For the Salad:

• 2 large cucumbers sliced into half rounds
• ½ medium red onion sliced thin
• 1 T. fresh dill roughly chopped

Method

 

1. Make dressing: Whisk together Greek yogurt, sour cream, lemon juice, finely chopped dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Taste and adjust seasonings. Set aside.
2. Slice cucumbers into rounds, then cut into half rounds. Salt cucumbers by laying out sliced cucumbers and sprinkling with salt, waiting about 10 mins, and then patting them dry. 
3. Slice red onion thinly. Add to large bowl with roughly chopped dill.
4. Toss: Pour dressing over cucumber mixture and toss to coat evenly.
5. Serve immediately or chill up to 2 hours before serving.

Tips & Variations

Supper & Sage Tip: Make the dressing ahead if possible – even 30 minutes helps the flavors meld. The garlic powder and dill get more pronounced as they sit.

For best results:

• Use fresh dill only – dried won’t give you the same bright flavor
• Use English cucumbers. They have fewer seeds and are less watery
• Salt the cucumbers first if you want them less watery (10 minutes, then pat dry)
• Slice red onion THIN – thick slices overpower the cucumbers

Variations:

• Add cherry tomatoes for color and acidity
• Include feta cheese for Greek vibes
• Swap lemon for lime juice
• Add fresh mint with the dill
• Use shallots instead of red onion for milder flavor

Make it thicker:

• Reduce lemon juice to 1 tablespoon
• Add another tablespoon of Greek yogurt
• Let it sit 30 minutes – dressing thickens as cucumbers release water

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes, but it’s best when served within 2 hours. Cucumbers release water the longer they sit, making the dressing thin and watery.

Q: My salad is watery. What happened?
A: Cucumbers naturally release water. Next time, salt them first, let sit 10 minutes, then pat dry before adding the dressing.

Q: Can I use dried dill?
A: You can, but it’s not recommended. Fresh dill is what makes this salad special. Dried won’t give you the same bright flavor.

More Recipes You’ll Love

• This cucumber dill salad pairs beautifully with richer mains like this balsamic pork tenderloin.
• For a lighter option, try serving it alongside Mediterranean-style fish dishes.
• If you’re building a fresh, summery plate, this gorgeous broccoli slaw is another great side.

Light, fresh, and ready in 15 minutes. This dill cucumber salad is the easy side dish that makes everything else on the table taste better