July 4th is just around the corner and if the weather from this last week is any indication, it’s going to be hotter than Satan’s armpit. So, for me, that means adding some cool and refreshing sides to main July 4th mainstays like ribs and pulled pork. Cole slaw, corn salad, and other things like this AMAZING Creamy Cucumber Salad are just the ticket. The cool and creamy flavors pair well with bbq and help to keep you cool, too!
I’m really a big fan of using these Kirby cucumbers for this dish. They’re also called pickling cucumbers. I just prefer the flavor and texture of them for this type of dish. If you can’t put your hands on some, don’t worry. Two or three of the larger slicing or English cucumbers will work just fine.
One thing of note here on the prep: To remove some of the moisture in the cucumbers, I have you salt them and that salt draws the moisture out. This is an important step if you want to ensure you don’t end up with runny dressing. BUT, if it’s something you’re going to eat immediately and probably won’t have any leftovers, you can skip this step if you wish. This short video gives you a little more detail. Just note that in this recipe, there’s no need to rinse the excess salt away after the cucumbers drain.
Just like the cool and refreshing flavors in this Creamy Cucumber Salad, the cool and refreshing taste of Mike’s Hard Lemonade, makes it the perfect adult beverage at your July 4th get-together. Y’all enjoy!
- 3 to 4 Kirby pickling cucumbers
- 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 small clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- Peel and thinly slice cucumbers. Sprinkle them with 2 teaspoons of kosher salt and place them in a colander in the sink. Allow the salt to draw out the excess moisture for about 30 minutes.
- Make the dressing by combining, the sour cream, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and fresh dill and mix well.
- Once the cucumbers have drained, shake off the excess moisture and combine them with the dressing in a large bowl. Refrigerate until serving.
I prefer using the Kirby or pickling cucumber for this recipe, but English cucumbers will work just fine. You'll need 2 large English cucumbers if you go that route.
This dish is best served fairy quickly after being made. Even though the salt draws out some moisture, the longer it sits, more moisture will be drawn out and can make the dressing watery.
Learn more about using salt to draw out excess moisture with this video.
Garlic Soy Cucumber Salad
Taco Pasta Salad
Unbundled Green Beans
Feeding people makes me happy. It’s just about as plain and simple as that. There are few things in this world that I delight more in than my family and friends gathered around my table enjoying a meal. Pull up a chair and join us! 
This is my recipe too. I do add a good bit of black pepper to mine when I make these for just my family. Sometimes will use 1/2 mayo and 1/2 sour cream. Always a winner when I take these for potluck. I also use the same recipe but adding a bit more vinegar for my my coleslaw dressing. So versatile.
Thanks for sharing
Sounds great! I do love them with pepper too.
Thanks for the video and showing the results after salting. I was impressed and never realized that much moisture was in the vegetable, such as eggplant.
It’s pretty neat. Glad it was helpful.
This looks great! Our cakes are not ready to pick yet but I will make this when they are. I LOVE your Amish Pyrex bowl. My mom had the same exact set when I was growing up. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! It seemed like the perfect bowl for this recipe. 🙂
I am not a big lover of dill, any suggestions ?
I think it’ll be just fine to leave it out.
Hubby is on a salt-restricted diet. I’ll skip having the salt draw the moisture. But, the rest is good.
It’ll be just as delicious!
One of my favorite meals was to put this cucumber salad over warm mashed potatoes! My mom could stretch the $ using veggies from our garden. Try it!
Super interesting, Dayna. I’m not sure I’ve heard of that. 🙂
want recipe for creamy-cucumber-salad?
Are you asking for a recipe or are you asking me if I want a recipe?