Grandma’s old-fashioned Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe. Super easy to make, this is a delicious blend of cucumbers and onions in a sweet, creamy sauce and is the perfect cucumber salad recipe!
Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
You may have called this old-fashioned creamy cucumber salad a cucumber onion salad, or perhaps simply a cucumber salad when growing up. I am pretty certain we always called it by the creamy cucumber salad name when I was growing up. This was served at every picnic and backyard BBQ when I was I was a youngster.
This is such an easy summer salad to make that makes great use of your garden cucumbers. And goodness knows I always have a bumper crop of cucumbers.
I had wanted to make this for quite some time and just had not done so. When Hubby saw it, he was skeptical; it really does not look like much of anything. After one bite, he was hooked! When we finished the first round, he kept asking me to make this creamy cucumber salad recipe again (and again, and again)! It truly is delicious.
This is a great recipe any time of year, but most especially, it is a refreshing side dish that is terrific on hot summer days. This is the perfect side dish to serve with hamburgers and hot dogs, grilled chicken, fresh fish, or another simple main dish.
Tips and variations for making this creamy cucumber salad recipe
● Not only is this a cucumber salad recipe to make, but it also keeps a long time when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
● When the cucumbers are all eaten, you will have quite a bit of juice leftover. Add more sliced cucumbers (and onions) to that existing juice-mix and marinate again!
● I keep this in a covered bowl and use make great use of my homegrown fresh cucumbers (I swear I am the cucumber-growing-queen). Early in the season, I will start with store-bought standard cucumbers or English cucumbers (because they have no seeds). Depending upon the kind of cucumber you buy (large cucumbers or smaller cucumbers), you may get more or fewer cucumber slices the tangy dressing will cover. Do not worry; the excess moisture generated by the cut cucumbers will ensure there is enough creamy dressing to coat and marinate the cucumber salad.
● I wrote six servings, but it is really eight to 10 servings depending on appetite.
● This creamy cucumber salad recipe is no-bake, but it does require time to marinate. You can make it the night before or early the morning of when you plan to serve.
● We use a mandoline slicer for uniform slicing, but a cutting board and knife also work!
● If you do not have a sweet onion, substitute a white onion instead. White onions are sweeter than yellow onions. If you do not specifically purchase or grow a sweet onion, substitute a generic white onion variety instead of a generic yellow onion. The kind of onion you use will influence the taste of this easy cucumber salad recipe. While I have used red onions in a pinch, and they do add a nice pop of color, they do change the taste of this creamy cucumber salad.
● This is the perfect salad to make the day before you need it. Call it a next-day salad if you like!
Creamy Cucumber Salad Ingredients:
● 4 large Cucumbers
● 1 medium Sweet Onion
● 1 cup Mayonnaise
● ½ cup White Sugar
● ¼ cup White Vinegar
● Salt and Pepper to taste
Creamy Cucumber Salad Mise en Place:
● Measuring Cup
● Mandoline (or knife and cutting board)
● Small Bowl
● Spatula
● Large or Medium Bowl with Lid
Creamy Cucumber Salad Directions:
● Wash, peel, and thinly slice 4 large cucumbers. Score the cucumber with a fork to remove bitterness. Use a mandoline for uniformity.
● Peel and thinly slice 1 medium sweet onion.
● Place the sliced cucumbers and onions in a ceramic, glass, or plastic bowl that has a lid.
● In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar. Mix until smooth.
● Turn the mayonnaise mixture into the cucumber and onion mixture, combine well.
● Salt and pepper to taste.
● Cover with a lid, shake lightly.
● Allow the cucumber salad to marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 6 hours (overnight works well).
● Refrigerate leftovers.
Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe. Grandma's old-fashioned Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe. Super easy to make, this is a delicious blend of cucumbers and onions in a sweet, creamy sauce is the perfect cucumber salad recipe!
Ingredients
- 4 large Cucumbers
- 1 medium Sweet Onion
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- ½ cup White Sugar
- ¼ cup White Vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Wash, peel, and thinly slice four large cucumbers. Use a mandoline for uniformity
- Peel and thinly slice one medium sweet onion.
- Place the sliced cucumbers and onions in a ceramic, glass, or plastic bowl that has a lid.
- In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar. Mix until smooth.
- Turn the mayonnaise mixture into the cucumber and onion mixture, combine well.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the bowl with a lid, shake lightly.
- Allow the cucumber salad to marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 6 hours (overnight works well).
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 362Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 338mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 23gProtein: 2g
Note: for exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information provided is simply a guideline.
![An overhead, close-up view of a wooden bowl filled with creamy cucumber salad.](https://www.annsentitledlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/creamy-cucumber-salad-recipe-vertical-02.jpg" "Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe")
If you would like to try more refreshing summer salads, you may like these:
● Cucumber Caprese Salad – Hubby came up with this cucumber Caprese salad recipe years ago. It is fresh, easy to make, and totally delicious. It is one of the most popular recipes on my blog.
● Cantaloupe Prosciutto Mozzarella Salad Recipe – Just 15 minutes from refrigerator to table for this refreshing and tasty Cantaloupe Prosciutto Mozzarella Salad recipe! Excellent as a dish dish or lunch time meal.
● Four Color Caprese Salad Recipe – a riff off Hubby’s cucumber caprese salad recipe.
● For more Recipes on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.
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KimH says
Sounds yummy!
Kelly says
Cucumbers are one of the few veggies enjoyed by my entire family. Pinning this one for sure! Thanks!
Erlene says
I’ve never eaten cucumbers like this. Sounds like an interesting combo.
Laura M says
I’ve been making this for a couple of years now with the addition of dried dill and a squeeze of lemon juice. My neighbour said he would never eat cucumbers any other way again.
Nancy says
I added fresh dill it really enhanced the flavor. Also don’t really think it needs 6 hours to marinate a couple of hours are fine
Darcy says
In the summer time I like to make this salad. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Then I serve the Creamy cucumber salad “sauce” over the potatoes. Make this a head of time so the cucumbers render their liquid.
Savaniah says
That sounds interesting but yummy, Darcy! Thanks for the idea.
glenda says
since you put sugar in it is it sweetest ?
Thank you
Ann says
Glenda, it is sweet, and it does have a nip. It really is very good! If you have a lot of cukes, you can make up one batch of juice, eat the cucumbers, then for the next batch, just add more cukes!
Ann
Bridgette says
It says mayonnaise do you use real or can you use miracle whip?
Ann says
Bridgette, I have never made it with miracle whip. Knowing what I do about how mayo and miracle whip are made, I would say that miracle whip probably isn’t a good choice. You can of course give it a go, but I think if you do it is for one time (IOW you can’t add cukes to your mayonnaise based “juice” to keep the recipe going for a week).
Ann
Tina says
I make it with Miracle Whip but cut back on the sugar. The Miracle Whip gives it a little more tang. Also, I use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar. If you use apple cider vinegar and Miracle Whip, you probably don’t need to use any sugar.
Judy says
I make this with cucumbers, mayo, a little vinegar, and a little sugar. Sometimes I include the onion. But I prefer to eat it right after I’ve made it instead of the next day. I think it loses a lot of flavor if left overnight and isn’t as creamy because the cukes have a lot of water in them and tend to release some of their liquid into the dressing. Love it love it love it. and so does my family
John says
If you cut your cukes an hoir ahead of time and salt them in a colander set over a bowl it will draw alot of the water put before you add them to the dressing. Keeps your dresding from getting so watery the next day.
Beth says
John,
Would you then rinse them or do you just lightly salt them?
Cathy says
Cut the seeds out of them as well, that alone will cut out a lot of the water
Babes says
I’ve made this for years. We call it Scandinavin Cucumbers. It is delicious!!
Richard says
Try it using sour cream instead of the mayo and vinegar. It’s really refreshing in the summer!
Laurie says
Wow, this looks incredible! Can’t wait to try it! Pinned and now following on G+
Thank you for taking the time to link up with us for the Brag About It Link Party!
Ann says
Laurie, I make this cucumber salad all summer long (there is a bowl in the fridge now!) I hope you try it, and enjoy.
Ann
Dianne@ScrutinizingLife says
Perfect for a hot summer day!! Thanks for sharing at The Living with Style Linky Party! Be sure to come back next week! 🙂
Dick Bruzzetti says
Onions? No freaking way.
Denise Gunnels says
I have made a version of this for years but without the mayo. It’s a Southern staple. Trying your version although I did add salt, pepper, and a dash of chili powder. Yay me…got to try out my mandoline for the first time.
Ann says
I hope you enjoy it, Denise. The chili powder seems like a great twist!
Ann
Denise Gunnels says
It was a huge hit. Also threw in some grape tomatoes from the garden.
Ann says
I am so glad you liked it, Denise!
We had it again this weekend for a get together (no chili powder), and people who had not had it in years were tickled to be able to have it again.
Ann
Melissa says
This looks an awful lot like my recipe.
Barbara Griswold says
I am 82 and this was a regular salad at our dinner table I knew I forgot part of the receipes I think it was the cider vinegar. Going out to get some cucumbers and try my new nutraslicer. I love all your blogs.
nancy ford says
this creamed cucumber recipe goes way back at least a hundred years, have been using it for decades and then it was being used decades before me, it is also very good on top of mashed potatoes and is a very delightful hot summer side dish.
Nancy Gormley says
I add fresh dill it’s even more refreshing
Judy says
I use sour cream in place of mayo and a little dill. But first soak the sliced cucumbers in salt water,
Jenny says
Cucumber salad is our favorite summer side. Pinning!
Cynthia says
Looks delicious. I’m going to feature you at the Happiness is Homemade Link Party on Sunday.
Rosalinda L. says
Does this cucumber recipe taste like cucumbers you find at some Chinese Buffet ?
Nicole says
This has been a huge hit, I’ve made it twice now. How long are the leftovers good for? I made it last night (Friday) there are some left, would it still be good on Monday?
Thanks!!
Ann says
Nicole, it all depends on how long you leave it out on the table due to the mayo. The juice should be good for a long time, and I just add more cucumbers. The cucumbers in the juice are good for a few days.
Ann
Debra Lange says
My cucumber salad always gets runny after the first day. I have seen that some recommend soaking cukes in salt water. For how long do you soak them?
Paula says
Ann, I love Creamy Cucumber Salad! Thank You so much for sharing this refreshing salad with Sweet Tea & Friend’s this month dear friend.