Wholesome Cucumber Salad

This wholesome cucumber salad is made with greek yogurt, juicy tomatoes, and plenty of dill.

Have some cucumbers you must dissipate? This creamy cucumber salad is the proper summer season salad to function a facet dish for all of your grilling events. Or as a dish on a potluck buffet! It’s additionally nice as a filling for pita bread gyros with grilled hen. With a sauce fabricated from Greek yogurt, dill, and lemon, you’ll have the ability to spotlight freshly picked summer season cucumber and cherry tomatoes.

That is the proper cucumber recipe for when the fruit is in season from Might by August.

This cucumber salad recipe is the proper refreshing, veggie-heavy facet in case you’re going to grill hen or steak.

Salads much like this type usually have numerous bitter cream and mayo that may be so gloppy and wealthy which you could hardly style the veggies beneath! This model is made with Greek yogurt (what did we do with out Greek yogurt!?) so it’s larger in protein and a bit tangier, relying on the yogurt you select. In fact you possibly can sub in some bitter cream or go half and half to fulfill within the center. Moreover, relying on the model of Greek yogurt you select, it’s possible you’ll want to pressure the yogurt a bit. Mine was very thick, however some manufacturers are looser than others with whey liquid on high. Stain off as a lot as you want.

What Cucumbers are Finest for Salads?

There are extra kinds of cucumber than it’s possible you’ll assume! These are my favorites to incorporate in salads:

English Cucumbers: Also called European cucumbers. This type of cuc is delicate in taste, and doesn’t have many seeds. They’re offered wrapped in plastic on the grocery retailer to guard their skinny pores and skin, so that you don’t must peel them. Persian cucumbers are very comparable and barely smaller.
Backyard Grown Cucumbers: You probably have entry to a backyard or a farmer’s market, these are the perfect this time of 12 months! They are often served peeled or unpeeled.
Mini and Cocktail Cucumbers: Usually I believe the smaller the cucumber the crunchier it will get! You don’t must peel these both. Minis develop to 4-6 inches lengthy whereas cocktail cucs are the smallest at round 2.5 inches.
Waxy Cucumbers: If you happen to want a cucumber in January, that is most likely what you’re discover on the retailer. They’ve a wax overlaying to assist protect it and can should be peeled previous to consuming. These are my least favourite!

Elements

English Cucumber – I desire English cucumbers as a result of they aren’t fairly as soggy on the within and are typically probably the most crisp! Plus they’re skinny skinned so that you don’t have to fret concerning the waxy peel. You may also search for Persian cucumbers, that are very comparable however barely smaller.
Cherry Tomatoes – ideally the heirloom, colourful selection!)
Full-fat plain Greek Yogurt – Full-fat yogurt at all times! This ingredient ups the protein rather a lot, however be happy to sub partially bitter cream in case you like that taste most of all.
Mayonnaise – This thickens the sauce and provides a richness.
Lemon Juice – recent is greatest!
Contemporary Dill – I like to recommend recent dill for this recipe. Dried dill will work in a pinch. You’ll be able to substitute dill with finely chopped parsley or chives (no matter recent herb you have got rising in your backyard).
Sugar + Salt – To steadiness the palette!
Kalamata Olives – optionally available however nice for a Greek taste profile
Pita Bread – additionally optionally available, for garnish

Directions

Step 1: Prep the cucumbers and tomatoes

Wash the cucumber, use a pointy knife to halve lengthwise, and reduce it into slices ¼-inch thick. Do the identical with the cherry tomatoes.

Step 2: Make the dressing

In a big bowl, whisk the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt.

Step 3: Combine within the veggies

Add the sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives and gently toss nicely to coat.

Step 4: Refrigerate about one hour

Refrigerate for 1 hour earlier than serving.

Step 5: Garnish + serve

Garnish with further dill sprigs if desired. You’ll be able to add a drizzle of additional virgin olive oil whenever you’re able to serve. Serve with pita bread triangles.

Recipe Notes

As a result of the cucs will launch water over time, this recipe is greatest served and loved instantly. I’d not advocate making it lengthy upfront.
If you happen to do must prep upfront, make the dressing and prep the veggies however wait to combine all of it collectively.
If you’re so daring to crave recent garlic or crimson onions, you possibly can add both to this recipe for an additional kick!
Toss in some corn reduce off the cob for an additional ingredient!
Add crimson pepper flakes to spice issues up a bit.