Greek Yogurt Cucumber Salad
This creamy Greek yogurt cucumber salad is quick and easy to make, with no mayo and no heaviness. Made with crisp cucumbers, creamy Greek yogurt, and fresh herbs, it comes together in just 10 minutes using only seven ingredients. It is light, cool, and perfect as a summer side, a quick lunch, or something to bring to a potluck.
Servings: 4
Calories: 41kcal
Equipment
- 1 large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 English cucumber or 2 Persian cucumbers washed (peel if the skin is thick).
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced.
- ½ cup full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 teaspoon minced/finely chopped garlic
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill leaves (discard stems, chop fronds) or parsley/cilantro
Instructions
- Prep the veggies: Cucumbers: Thinly slice the cucumber using a slicer. If you don’t have one, a sharp knife works just fine. No need to peel the cucumber unless the skin is too thick.Red onion: Thinly slice the onion. If it feels too strong, soak the slices in a bowl of cold water for 5 to 10 minutes, and then drain well. This helps to reduce the sharpness of onion.
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, garlic powder (or finely chopped fresh garlic), lemon juice, salt, pepper, and dill. Mix well until smooth.
- Combine: Add the sliced cucumbers and onions to the bowl with the dressing. Gently mix until everything is well coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Garnish with fresh herbs: Sprinkle fresh dill on top. This salad tastes best when served fresh, immediately after mixing. The cucumbers stay crisp and the yogurt remains nice and creamy.
Video
Notes
- Thinly slicing the cucumber is important to achieving the best texture. It blends beautifully with the creamy Greek yogurt.
- Mellow the onions if they taste too sharp. Soak the sliced onion in a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes, then drain it thoroughly. This softens the bite so it blends nicely into the salad.
- Serve the salad immediately after mixing. If stored for too long, it can turn watery and lose its creamy texture because cucumbers release moisture over time.
- Always taste and adjust the seasoning before serving this Mediterranean cucumber salad. A little extra salt, lemon juice, or herbs can make a big difference.
- Drain Your Cucumber (Optional, but it helps to avoid a watery salad). Cucumbers can release a lot of water. For a thicker, less watery salad, place the sliced cucumbers in a colander and sprinkle a little salt over them. Let them sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then press gently to draw out the extra moisture. Then pat them dry with a paper towel before mixing. This step is helpful if you’re making the salad ahead of time.
Nutrition
Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 44g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 106mg | Potassium: 201mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 161IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 49mg