Name: Creamy Cucumber Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 3 standard cucumbers (or 2 long Telegraph/English cucumbers); 1/2 red onion, finely sliced; 1/4 cup mint leaves, finely chopped (or 2 tsp dried mint); 1 cup full fat yogurt (Greek or plain); 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper

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I still remember the first time I made this Creamy Cucumber Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing Recipe for a family BBQ. The fresh cucumber’s crunch paired with that bright, tangy yogurt dressing was a total crowd-pleaser — especially on a hot day. My relatives kept going back for seconds, surprised that something so simple could taste so fresh and vibrant. Honestly, it’s one of those salads I love whipping up whenever I want a light, refreshing side without the fuss.

This salad is special because it balances creamy and zesty flavors so effortlessly. The yogurt and lemon dressing gives it a smooth tang, while the mint adds that herby freshness that wakes up your palate. Plus, the thinly sliced cucumbers offer a crisp texture that’s just so satisfying. Whether you’re serving a roast, Mediterranean spread, or just craving something cooling, this salad looks beautiful with its pale green hues and pops of purple from the red onion.

Don’t worry if you’re new to making Creamy Cucumber Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing Recipe — it’s pretty straightforward. I’ll walk you through the steps, and I’ve sprinkled in some tips to make sure your salad turns out perfectly crisp and flavorful every time. It’s a recipe you can trust to impress, even if you only have 10 minutes to prep.

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Why This Recipe Shines

Flavor Harmony: The tangy lemon yogurt dressing complements the cool cucumber crispness effortlessly.
Easy Assembly: Minimal chopping and a quick toss mean you’re done in minutes.
Texture Play: Crunchy cucumbers, silky dressing, and a touch of crisp onion make each bite lively.
Showstopper Finish: The fresh mint and vibrant colors make it as pretty as it is tasty.

The image shows a close-up of a creamy cucumber salad being lifted by a fork. The salad has thin slices of light green cucumber and thin strips of purple onion, all coated in a thick white dressing speckled with small green herbs. The fork is shiny and metallic, piercing through the salad layers, which look fresh and moist. The background surface is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 1:1 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Be Working With

For best results, I recommend measuring your ingredients with precision, especially the lemon juice and salt, to balance the dressing perfectly. You’ll find the exact amounts and full list in the recipe card below.

Cucumbers: Choose either 2 long Telegraph or English cucumbers for easy peeling and fewer seeds, or 3 medium standard ones for more crunch.
Red onion: Thinly sliced for sharpness and color contrast; soak briefly in cold water if you want to soften the bite.
Mint leaves: Fresh chopped mint lifts the salad with herby brightness; dried mint works if fresh isn’t available.
Yogurt: Full-fat Greek or plain yogurt gives the dressing creaminess and tang.
Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a fruity richness that rounds eyes the lemon and garlic flavors.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best for the vibrant citrus punch.
Garlic clove: Minced finely to avoid overpowering but deliver a subtle savory kick.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasoning to bring all flavors together.

If you don’t have fresh mint, feel free to substitute with chopped cilantro or basil for a different herbal twist. Greek yogurt can also be replaced with a dairy-free yogurt for a vegan option.

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Chef’s Note

You’ll find the complete list of ingredients with exact measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tools You’ll Need

Sharp knife: For thin, even slices of cucumber and onion to keep texture light and consistent.
Cutting board: A clean, stable surface for easy slicing.
Mixing bowl: Large enough to toss cucumber, onion, and dressing comfortably.
Spoon or whisk: To mix the creamy lemon yogurt dressing smoothly.
Citrus juicer (optional): Helpful for extracting every bit of fresh lemon juice efficiently.

How to Make Creamy Cucumber Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing Recipe

Let’s jump right into making this salad. You’ll start by whipping up the dressing so the flavors meld, then slice those cucumbers just right before tossing everything together.

Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of full-fat yogurt, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, and a generous ½ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper. Whisk until smooth, then let it sit for at least 20 minutes to let those flavors blend beautifully.
Slice the Cucumbers: Cut the cucumbers lengthwise in half to make them easier to slice. Then chop into 3mm (about 1/8-inch) thin slices. Thin slices mean every bite gets coated in dressing and stays crisp.
Slice the Red Onion: Finely slice about half a red onion. If you want a milder onion flavor, soak the slices in cold water for 5 minutes and drain well before adding.
Chop the Mint: Finely chop about ¼ cup fresh mint leaves. If you’re using dried mint, measure about 2 teaspoons.
Toss It All Together: In a large bowl, combine cucumbers, red onion, and mint. Pour the dressing over, toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
Serve Immediately: This salad shines fresh but can be chilled up to an hour before serving for an even cooler, melded flavor.

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Kitchen Wisdom

Tip 1: Use a mandoline slicer for perfectly thin cucumber slices if you want uniformity and speed.
Tip 2: Letting the dressing rest helps the garlic mellow and the flavors marry.
Tip 3: Don’t over-salt; the dressing should brighten, not overpower the fresh cucumber taste.
Tip 4: Serve within a couple of hours for best crunch; cucumbers can release water if sitting too long.

How to Serve

The image shows a white bowl filled with a creamy cucumber salad. The salad has thin green cucumber slices mixed evenly with thin pale purple onion strips, all coated in a white dressing with small green herb bits scattered throughout. A few fresh green mint leaves rest on top, adding color contrast. A spoon with a thick wooden handle is partly inside the bowl on the right side. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 1:1 --v 7

Flavor Boosters

If you want to jazz up this Creamy Cucumber Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing Recipe, toss in some toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds for extra crunch. A sprinkle of feta cheese adds a salty welcome punch, while a dash of smoked paprika or chili flakes can bring a smoky heat that pairs beautifully with the cool cucumbers.

Perfect Pairings

This salad goes especially well alongside grilled meats, falafel, or roasted vegetables — think Middle Eastern or Mediterranean-themed meals. For drinks, a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a zesty lemonade complements the lemon yogurt dressing’s brightness nicely.

Presentation Touches

For a party, serve this salad in individual clear glass bowls so the layered colors show off beautifully. Garnish with a sprig of mint or a thin lemon wheel for a little extra wow-factor. If you’re packing it for lunch, keep the dressing separate until just before eating to maintain maximum crispness.

Variations & Easy Swaps

Dairy-free option: Use coconut or almond yogurt to keep the creamy texture without dairy.
Herb swaps: Swap mint for dill or basil for a different bright flavor twist.
Spicy kick: Add thin slices of fresh chili or a pinch of cayenne to the dressing for some heat.
Crunch boost: Toss in chopped radishes or celery for more texture variation.
Vegan twist: Use a plant-based yogurt and omit garlic or switch with garlic-infused olive oil.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

Make the dressing up to 24 hours ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Slice cucumbers and onions just before serving to keep them crisp.
Keep assembled salad chilled and consume within 1–2 hours for peak freshness.
This salad isn’t suitable for reheating; best enjoyed cold or at room temperature.

FAQs

Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek? Yes, regular yogurt works fine but Greek yogurt’s thicker texture really helps the dressing cling beautifully to the cucumber slices.
Why is the salad watery sometimes? Cucumbers release water when sliced; to prevent this, slice just before serving and avoid letting the salad sit too long after dressing.
Can I add other vegetables? You can! Bell peppers or cherry tomatoes add color and flavor, but keep cucumbers as the star for that fresh crunch.
Is this recipe vegan? Not as is, but switching to a plant-based yogurt makes it vegan-friendly without losing creaminess.