Creamy Cucumber Salad – Homemade Hooplah

What ingredients are in creamy cucumber salad?

Before you can serve up this crowd-favorite side dish for all types of gatherings, you’ll need to round up the following ingredients:

• Sour Cream: Infuses the dressing with a rich tanginess, complementing the crisp cucumbers.
• Mayonnaise: Enhances the dressing’s creaminess, melding smoothly with the tangy sour cream.
• Fresh Chopped Dill: Adds a bright, herby note that elevates the fresh taste of the cucumber salad.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides a subtle acidity, balancing the creaminess and sweetness in the dressing.
• Granulated Sugar: Softens the acidity, subtly sweetening the dressing to complement the cucumbers’ freshness.
• Garlic Powder: Offers a gentle garlic undertone that deepens the dressing’s savory profile.
• Salt: Sharpens the flavors of the dressing and vegetables.
• Black Pepper: Introduces a mild spiciness, adding a nuanced depth to the overall flavor.
• English Cucumbers: The star of the show! Their crisp texture and mild flavor are key to the salad’s refreshing quality.
• Red Onion: Provides a mild, sweet sharpness, balancing the creamy and herby elements of the salad.

What type of vinegar should you use?

The recipe recommends apple cider vinegar for its fruity tanginess. For substitutions, white wine vinegar or rice vinegar are good options, replacing the apple cider vinegar with an equal amount (1 tablespoon). Balsamic vinegar can also be used, but due to its strong flavor, the substitution amount should be about half of the apple cider vinegar (1/2 tablespoon.)

What type of cucumber should you use?

Since this is a cucumber salad, choosing the right main ingredient for this salad is important. English cucumbers are recommended due to their thin skin, minimal seeds, and crisp texture, which make them an ideal fit for a salad with a creamy, absorbable dressing.

If you need alternatives, Persian cucumbers can be a good substitute, offering a similar texture and flavor with a slightly smaller size. Regular garden cucumbers can also be used, but since their skins are thicker, you may want to peel and deseed them to mimic the texture and appearance of English cucumbers.

Can you use Miracle Whip instead?

Sure! You can use Miracle Whip as a substitute for mayonnaise. However, since Miracle Whip is sweeter and has a more pronounced flavor, you might consider reducing or omitting the granulated sugar in the recipe to balance out the sweetness.

Can you make this in advance?

Absolutely, this creamy cucumber salad is ideal for making ahead. In fact, part of the recipe instructions is to let the flavors meld and intensify for at least one hour in the refrigerator before serving.

To ensure the best presentation, I recommend making this salad no more than 24 hours in advance.

How long is creamy cucumber salad good for?

Once prepared, creamy cucumber salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes & tips for creamy cucumber salad

• Red onions can pack a bit of a bite, so if you want a milder flavor, try soaking them first. Submerge the red onion in a bowl of ice-cold water and let it soak for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain the onions, pat them dry, and then use them in the recipe as directed.
• To keep this salad creamy, you can remove some of the water from the cucumbers and red onion before adding them to the dressing. To do this, slice the vegetables as directed in the recipe, then place them in a colander. Sprinkle them with salt, toss to coat, and let sit for 20 minutes, allowing the salt to pull out any excess moisture. Rinse the vegetables with water, pat them dry, and use them in the recipe as directed.
• Looking for a classic vinegar-based cucumber salad? I’ve got the recipe for that right here.

Step 1– In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped dill, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the sugar is dissolved.

Step 2 – Add the sliced cucumbers and thinly sliced red onion to the bowl. Using a spatula, gently toss the vegetables until they are evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 3 – Chill!

Step 4 – Serve and enjoy!