Creamy Italian Cucumber Salad Recipe
This Creamy Italian Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish perfect for warm weather meals or as a crisp complement to any main course. Featuring fresh cucumbers and red onion tossed in a tangy and creamy Italian dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, and Italian seasoning, this salad offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors with a perfect balance of acidity and creaminess.
- Author: Tara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dressing
- 3/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Sour Cream
- 1 tablespoon Red or White Wine Vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 pinch Granulated Sugar (about 1/8 teaspoon)
Salad
- 3 large Cucumbers
- 1 medium Red Onion
- Prepare the Cucumbers: Peel the cucumbers if desired and slice them thinly. For best texture, you can also remove the seeds if they are large and watery. Place the sliced cucumbers in a colander and sprinkle lightly with salt; let them sit for about 10 minutes to draw out excess water, then gently pat dry with paper towels.
- Slice the Red Onion: Peel and thinly slice the red onion to ensure it mixes well with the cucumbers and the dressing, providing a mild crunchy bite.
- Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, red or white wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and granulated sugar. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Toss the Salad: Add the sliced cucumbers and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy Italian dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Stir again before serving, and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
- For extra crunch, add sliced bell peppers or cherry tomatoes.
- If you prefer a lighter dressing, substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Use white wine vinegar for a milder tang or red wine vinegar for a bolder flavor.
- To reduce moisture and prevent sogginess, salting cucumbers before mixing is recommended.
- Keep the salad refrigerated and consume within 2-3 days for best freshness.
Keywords: creamy cucumber salad, italian cucumber salad, cucumber salad, creamy italian dressing, easy side dish, summer salad