Using a lemony creamy yogurt sauce, Turkish-inspired Creamy Cucumber Salad with dill and mint. This cool and delicious summer salad combines beautifully with grilled meats or fish!
Crispy, cold, and rejuvenating Small, sweet Turkish cucumbers are paired with fresh mint and dill in a creamy yogurt dressing to make Creamy Cucumber Salad, also known as “Cacik.” It balances the weight and fire of grilled meats and seafood, making it the ideal companion.
Cucumbers belong to the Cucurbitaceae family of gourds. Cucumbers fall into one of three categories: pickled, burpless, or sliced. Cucurbitacin, the chemical that causes burps, is thought to be less abundant in burpless cucumbers, which also have a gentler, less bitter flavor. They have thin, velvety skin. Their meat is superb, sweet, crisp, and absent of fully developed seeds. Their ability to retain water and keep cold is astounding. It has been discovered that the flesh inside them might be as much as twenty degrees colder than the skin! We’re going to use this for this salad!
How to make Creamy Cucumber Salad:
This classic recipe uses thinly sliced sweet onions, cucumbers, dill, garlic, and mayo for a fantastic make-ahead meal.
Ingredients
- 2 large cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise, or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
- Mix cucumbers, onion, and salt together in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Turn cucumber mixture into a colander set over a basin or in a sink. Let drain, spinning occasionally, until most of the liquid and salt has drained, 15 to 30 minutes. Transfer drained cucumber mixture to a large basin.
- Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, dill, garlic powder, and pepper for dressing together in a bowl until smooth. Pour over cucumber mixture and toss till coated.
- Pour over cucumber mixture and stir till coated.
The recipe is referenced in: Creamy Cucumber Salad
FAQs
Why salt the cucumbers?
The salt removes excess water and prevents the salad from becoming too thin. If you don’t have enough time, you can omit this step, but the texture may be softer.
How do I store it when there is a need?
This salad is best served fresh, but can also be kept in in the freezer for up to two days. Mix in the cucumbers before serving, as they may ooze more liquid over time.
Can I top it with other things?
For added taste and texture, try adding chopped almonds, feta cheese, or cherry tomatoes.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2 large cucumbers peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 sweet onion thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix cucumbers, onion, and salt together in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Turn cucumber mixture into a colander set over a basin or in a sink. Let drain, stirring regularly, until most of the liquid and salt has drained, 15 to 30 minutes. Transfer drained cucumber mixture to a large basin.
- Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, dill, garlic powder, and pepper for dressing together in a bowl until smooth. Pour over cucumber mixture and toss till coated.
- Pour over cucumber mixture and toss till coated.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 to 2 hours before serving.
