This Creamy Cucumber Salad is a cool & fresh dish that's perfect for the summer. Its crisp cucumber slices & flavorful herbs will wow your taste buds.

Summer days are hot so this cool and creamy Cucumber Salad is just what you want to eat. Crisp cucumber, fresh herbs, and protein-packed cottage cheese give this dish a delicious and healthy spin. And it's so easy to whip up with some kitchen basics. If you're following a keto, vegetarian, or low-carb diet, then this salad is going to become a summer staple for sure.
This Creamy Cucumber Salad is also great because its flavors are just mild enough to make it the perfect side to so many meals. You can enjoy it with a picnic of chicken or burgers, or pair it with some other cool summer dishes. It's also something you can put together for a quick snack on a busy day. Let's talk about how to make this scrumptious salad.
Video Tutorial
Main Ingredients
- Cucumbers. You may choose to peel them or keep the skin on. It's up to you which way you prefer.
- Cottage Cheese. Just make sure it's plain cottage cheese, with no flavors added. Any variation, such as the large curd cottage cheese, will work, depending on your preference.
- Herbs. The combination of dill and chives (or scallions) is truly the best! You can use either one for this cucumber salad.
- Salt and Pepper. To taste.
How To Make Cucumber Salad
1. Wash your cucumbers and pat them dry. Either peel them or leave the skin on, depending on your preference. Then, slice each cucumber until you have a pile of circles, about a quarter-inch thick.
2. Place the cucumbers into a large mixing bowl. Now add the cottage cheese and herbs. Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Mix everything gently and serve immediately.
Tips for Making Cucumber Salad
- Pick the best cucumbers. When it comes to choosing your cucumbers, look for ones that have a nice dark green color, with no blemishes or soft spots. Also avoid ones that have yellow spots because this indicates that they are overripe. You want a crisp, moist cucumber without bitterness.
- Use fresh herbs. Fresh herbs have so much more flavor than the dried ones found in spice cabinets. For a truly delicious Cucumber Salad, I advice sticking with herbs that are fresh from the store (or your own garden!). But if you're in a pinch, you can substitute dried herbs - it just won't be quite as good.
- Serve immediately. This creamy salad, unfortunately, doesn't sit well. You will need to serve or eat it not long after it is made to avoid the moisture in the dish from making the cucumbers limp and the cottage cheese from separating.
What to Serve it with
This Creamy Cucumber Salad is so simple and tasty, you are going to want to prepare it all the time! You can't go wrong pairing it with grains, tofu, chicken, fish, or beef, as it complements their rich flavors. It's also great alongside a cold sandwich or on top of a green salad. But best of all, this tasty recipe can be thrown together for a quick meal all on its own.
Substitutions and Add-ins
- If you have no cottage cheese, you can also try Greek yogurt for another protein-filled option.
- Change up the herbs. No chives? Try scallions. Have a favorite spice or herb? Try it!
- Add in other vegetables. You may want to slice some cherry tomatoes, radish, or green pepper into this salad. It's up to you.
Can you store Creamy Cucumber Salad?
Unfortunately, this creamy salad doesn't store very well. For the same reason that it should be eaten soon after making, you really can't store it in the refrigerator for long. Luckily, with minimal preparation, you can easily put this salad together with no fuss. It'll be ready in a snap!
This Creamy Cucumber Salad is the perfect side or meal during the hot summer. No hot ovens or stoves, or even hard work (who wants that on a lazy summer day?). But despite its simplicity, this salad is also healthy and so tasty. Kids (and adults) who aren't big vegetable eaters may change their mind after trying this salad. The mix of crisp cucumber, freshly cut herbs, and creamy cottage cheese is a winner every time.
You'll enjoy these tasty salads, too:
- German Cucumber Salad
- Avocado Corn Salad
- Cabbage Salad with Corn
- Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
- Avocado Tomato Salad
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. cucumbers
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 3 tbsp. fresh dill, chopped
- 3 tbsp. chives, chopped or scallions
- ¼ tsp. salt or to taste
Instructions
- Wash your cucumbers and pat them dry. Either peel them or leave the skin on, depending on your preference. Then, slice each cucumber until you have a pile of circles, about a half-inch thick.
- Place the cucumbers into a large mixing bowl. Now add the cottage cheese and herbs. Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix everything gently and serve immediately.
Notes
TIPS FOR MAKING CUCUMBER SALAD
- Pick the best cucumbers. When it comes to choosing your cucumbers, look for ones that have a nice dark green color, with no blemishes or soft spots. Also avoid ones that have yellow spots because this indicates that they are overripe. You want a crisp, moist cucumber without bitterness.
- Use fresh herbs. Fresh herbs have so much more flavor than the dried ones found in spice cabinets. For a truly delicious Cucumber Salad, I advice sticking with herbs that are fresh from the store (or your own garden!). But if you’re in a pinch, you can substitute dried herbs – it just won’t be quite as good.
- Serve immediately. This creamy salad, unfortunately, doesn’t sit well. You will need to serve or eat it not long after it is made to avoid the moisture in the dish from making the cucumbers limp and the cottage cheese from separating.
Paulie H. says
I sent the recipe to my wife. I hope she makes it!!
Tania Sheff says
Me too! 🙂
Anna says
This is amazing. Thank you! I used dry parsley because that’s all I have on hand. Will play around with it next time.
Tania Sheff says
Thanks, Anna!
Dee says
Hi Tania,
So simple but absolutely delicious. I used some fresh cracked black pepper.
Very adaptable too. Maybe with tuna or shredded chicken.
Thanks for sharing! xx
Tania Sheff says
Thanks, Dee! I am glad you liked it!