This easy and fresh cucumber dill salad recipe with garlic is the perfect solution for easy side dish on a busy weeknight or to feed a crowd on a weekend. Made with crispy cucumbers, aromatic dill, and savory garlic, this fresh and crispy salad pairs perfectly with everything. Learn how to make cucumber salad in 15 minutes, using only 3 main ingredients.
This is the ultimate easy recipe to whip up on a hot summer day. With lots of cucumbers and plenty of fresh dill, this simple yet vibrant dish is the perfect way to enjoy the season's harvest.
Cucumber dill salad is a great way to use up crunchy cucumbers during the warm weather months. They are refreshing, cooling, and incredibly hydrating. Make the most of this summertime staple.
With simple flavors and just a handful of ingredients, you will have a perfect salad that's great for a busy weeknight or fancy dinner on the weekend.
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Why you'll love Cucumber Dill Salad
Easy to make - Only 3 seasonal ingredients, this salad comes together quickly - 15 minutes to be exact.
Refreshing and healthy - With no salad dressing, this cucumber salad maintains it's crisp and refreshing texture and holds up well for days. Plus, it's naturally Paleo, Whole30, and GAPS.
Versatile - Goes with anything and is great for quick weeknight dinners or large BBQ parties on the weekend. Similarly, you can add more ingredients to make it uniquely yours.
Picky eaters - Kids love cucumbers and this is a delicious way to keep them hydrated and energized.
💭Fun Fact: Cucumbers belong to the same family as watermelons and pumpkins - known as the Cucurbitaceae family.
Ingredients for Cucumber Salad
Learn how to make this easy cucumber salad with just a handful of simple ingredients and 15 minutes.
- Cucumbers: This seasonal vegetable provides a delicious and crunchy base. It's also what makes this salad hydrating and refreshing. Opt for Persian cucumbers or English cucumbers for their thinner skin and minimal seeds.
- Fresh baby dill: Brings a delightful herbal aroma with a slightly tangy taste. Chop the dill finely to prevent overwhelming bites of this herb. Be sure to check out my guide on how to store fresh dill and how to chop dill for all the tips and tricks to maximize this flavorful herb and have it ready for you when you need it most! You can use dried dill in a pinch but fresh is always best.
- Garlic cloves: Part of what makes this salad refreshing and delicious is the freshly minced garlic. I don't recommend using garlic powder if you want to achieve the same depth of flavor.
- Sea salt: Enhances the natural flavors of all the ingredients, creating a perfectly seasoned and juicy salad.
- Extra virgin olive oil: This is totally optional because I love the refreshing salad without the fat, but a good olive oil will help the aromatics stick to the cucumbers better.
See the printable recipe card for exact quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad - make a creamy dressing with plain yogurt or sour cream and a few tablespoons of acid like white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or red wine vinegar. Toss and enjoy a cucumber salad with a different flavor profile.
- Use sliced cucumbers - Give this fresh cucumber salad a makeover simply by cutting the crisp cucumbers into different shapes and sizes. Follow this post on how to cut, slice, or dice a cucumber.
- Additional ingredients - Consider adding red onion, diced avocado, or a touch of black pepper to add some heat to this simple salad. You can also add other herbs like cilantro, basil, or fresh parsley substitute.
Make it Nutrient Dense
Staying true to the heart of what Prepare and Nourish is all about, there are ways to ensure you get the maximum nutrition in this cucumber dill recipe. Even though it's an incredibly simple recipe, you can take purposeful steps to turn this into a nutrient-dense meal.
Use fresh garden cucumbers. Our cucumber plants are still in full swing and those make the best cucumber salad recipe. They are at their peak freshness and nutrition and this salad is the best way to use up your extra cucumbers.
Toss in a healthy fat. This salad is a cross between fresh Asian cucumber salad recipe and lacto-fermented pickles and I love the freshness of it. However, it's best to consume plants with healthy fat like extra virgin olive oil for easier nutrient assimilation and absorption.
How to Make a Cucumber Salad
The complete printable recipe for this refreshing cucumber salad is in the recipe card below for convenience. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for the most perfect side dish.
The dill cucumber salad recipe is straightforward: cut, give it a good stir, and enjoy!
Step 1. Cut
Remove the ends of the cucumbers and cut them lengthwise, then cut them lengthwise again, making long quarters. Line them up and cut crosswise into 1 ½" - 2" pieces.
Step 2. Season
To a medium bowl, add cut cucumbers, minced garlic, chopped dill, and sea salt. Toss to combine. If helpful, mix the dill, garlic, and salt separately to distribute over the cucumbers evenly.
💭Pro tip: If you find that the aromatics are not sticking to the cucumbers, you can use a little bit of olive oil to help it adhere better.
Helpful Tips for Cucumber Dill Salad
Enjoy immediately - If you love a good crisp cucumber salad, serve this immediately after tossing since the cucumbers will release moisture over time.
Give time for flavors to meld - This cucumber salad also ages well. Letting the salad marinate for about 20 minutes allows the salt to draw out moisture from the cucumbers and helps the garlic flavor penetrate more efficiently.
Double or triple the recipe - Easily scale up to feed a larger group. Just adjust the quantities accordingly.
Serve chilled - No matter if you serve it immediately or after some marinating time, it's best to serve this cucumber salad chilled. The coolness enhances the refreshing nature of the cucumbers and dill.
💭Meal Prep Suggestion: Make this cucumber salad on the weekend for an easy side dish with a slight fermenting kick throughout the week.
Tools & Links to Make Cucumber Salad
Below are some affiliate links that may be helpful to you as you make this cucumber recipe. You can find some of these items cheaper at your local store, but having a link helps you know what you're looking for.
- Tools: chef knife, cutting board, large mixing bowl,
- Ingredients: unrefined sea salt, olive oil,
Serving Suggestions
This cucumber dill salad is so versatile and goes with any dish. Because it's so simple, I prefer to pair it with a hearty casserole like chicken and potato bake or tuna casserole recipe without soup.
But it also goes well with individual main dishes like salt and pepper wings, pork tenderloin air fryer, and fish en papillote. Add a delicious ancient grain like buckwheat or millet Instant Pot to make it a complete meal.
Cucumber Dill Salad pairing suggestions
- Stuffed Cabbage Rolls2 Hours 30 Minutes
- Chicken Cabbage Casserole45 Minutes
- Oven-Baked Sausage and Peppers40 Minutes
- Easy Crustless Skillet Pizza50 Minutes
Storage Instructions
How long does cucumber dill last in the refrigerator?
To store: Transfer leftover cucumber salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also keep cut and prepped cucumbers untossed with the garlic and dill for up to a week. A creamy salad should be consumed within 2 days but if you make this recipe as written, it should be good much longer.
Storage containers: These glass snap containers are perfect for leftovers.
To freeze: Cucumbers do not freeze well because they will release excess water upon thawing, completely changing the texture and flavor of this salad.
FAQs
It's best to use fresh cucumbers with a thin skin and minimal seeds. Persian and English cucumbers are great seedless cucumbers that will work in this recipe. For all other cucumbers, consider peeling them and removing the seeds to maintain the same texture.
Yes! You can prepare the salad in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days for the best flavor. To extend the shelf life even longer, consider keeping the minced garlic, chopped dill, and salt separately until ready to toss and serve. Cut and prepped cucumbers and aromatics can be stored in separate containers for up to 7 days.
This is a matter of personal preference and very much depends on the type of cucumber. Regular cucumbers from your local grocery store may have thicker skins that can be tough and bitter, so it's best to peel those. But thin skinned cucumbers like English hothouse cucumber are okay unpeeled.
Looking for more cucumber salad recipes? Here are some ideas:
Did you make this? Please leave a ⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚
Printable Recipe
Cucumber Garlic Dill Salad
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds cucumbers
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Cut: Remove the ends of the cucumbers and cut them lengthwise, then cut them lengthwise again, making long quarters. Line them up and cut crosswise into 1 ½" - 2" pieces.
- Season: Add minced garlic, chopped dill, and sea salt.
- Mix: Toss to combine and drizzle with olive oil if using.
Notes
- Enjoy immediately - If you love a good crisp cucumber salad, serve this immediately after tossing since the cucumbers will release moisture over time.
- Give time for flavors to meld - This cucumber salad also ages well. Letting the salad marinate for about 20 minutes allows the salt to draw out moisture from the cucumbers and helps the garlic flavor penetrate more efficiently.
- Double or triple the recipe - Easily scale up to feed a larger group. Just adjust the quantities accordingly.
- Serve chilled - No matter if you serve it immediately or after some marinating time, it's best to serve this cucumber salad chilled. The coolness enhances the refreshing nature of the cucumbers and dill.
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