This creamy old-fashioned cucumber salad with mayo features crisp cucumbers and red onions in a creamy mayo dressing. Ready in minutes, it's the perfect side dish that pairs with everything from backyard BBQs to holiday dinners.
If you love fresh summer sides, try my Panera Tomato Basil Cucumber Salad or Broccoli Crunch Salad next!
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I make this cucumber salad at least once a week during summer when my greenhouse produces tons of cucumbers.
I love that I can make this delicious side dish in 5 minutes with just a handful of ingredients. The creamy dressing soaks into the crisp cucumber slices, while fresh dill adds amazing flavor.
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Ingredients & Substitutions
You need just a few simple ingredients to make this refreshing cucumber salad:
- Cucumbers. English cucumbers work nicely with their thin skin and fewer seeds. Regular garden cucumbers from your backyard or farmers' market are excellent, too!
- Red onion. It adds a sharp flavor contrast and beautiful color. Green onions or shallots make good substitutes for a milder flavor.
- Mayonnaise. Creates that creamy, rich base for the dressing. Use your favorite mayo, Miracle Whip, or substitute with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for a tangier taste.
- White vinegar. It provides the perfect tang to balance the creamy mayo. Apple cider vinegar works, too, but has a slightly different flavor profile.
- Sugar. Just a touch adds sweetness to counter the vinegar. Adjust to taste or use a sugar substitute if preferred.
- Fresh dill. This herb elevates the entire salad with its distinctive flavor. If fresh isn't available, use 1 tablespoon dried dill weed instead.
See the printable recipe card for exact measurements and a full list of ingredients.
How To Make Old-Fashioned Cucumber Salad With Mayonnaise
Quick Overview
- Combine cucumbers and red onion.
- Mix creamy dressing ingredients.
- Toss everything together with fresh dill.
- Chill to develop flavor.
Step by Step Instructions
- PREP: Peel cucumbers and slice them into thin rounds. Thinly slice red onion. Place both in a large bowl.
- MAKE DRESSING: In a separate bowl, mix together ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon sea salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper until smooth.
- COMBINE: Pour the mayonnaise mixture over the cucumber and onion. Use a spatula to gently mix until all vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- ADD HERBS: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill over the salad and gently toss to combine.
- CHILL: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- SERVE: When ready to serve, give the salad a good stir to redistribute the dressing. Enjoy!
Top Tips
- Slice with uniformity. For the best texture and appearance, try to slice the cucumbers to a uniform thickness. A mandoline slicer makes this task incredibly easy.
- Remove excess moisture. After slicing, you can optionally salt the cucumber slices and let them sit in a colander for 30 minutes to draw out excess water. Pat dry before adding to the salad.
- Balance the flavors. Taste your dressing before adding to the cucumbers, and add extra sugar if needed. Adjust to your preference.
- Serve chilled. Serve this salad straight from the fridge for the best flavor.
What To Serve With Cucumber Salad
This versatile salad pairs beautifully with almost any main dish:
- Summer BBQs: Serve with Smoked Burgers, Smash Burgers, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick, or Pellet Grill Smoked Brisket.
- Weeknight Meals: Perfect alongside Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs or Air Fryer Tilapia.
- Holiday Tables: Surprisingly versatile with Smoked Prime Rib Roast or Smoked Turkey on Pellet Grill.
And the creamy sauce is perfect for sopping up with a slice of No Knead Sourdough Bread!
Storage Instructions
This cucumber salad keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The vegetables will continue to release liquid, so you may want to drain some of the excess moisture before serving leftovers.
Recipe FAQs
Salting the cucumber slices and letting them drain in a colander for 30 minutes helps draw out excess water. Pat them dry before adding the dressing.
Thinly sliced radishes, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes make excellent additions.
Yes, use a plant-based mayonnaise for a dairy-free version with the same creamy texture.
More Fresh Summer Salads
Printable Recipe
Creamy Old-Fashioned Cucumber Salad with Mayo
Ingredients
- 2 large English cucumbers peeled + sliced (or 4 regular cucumbers)
- ½ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
Instructions
- PREP: Wash cucumbers and pat dry. Peel if desired and slice into thin, uniform rounds using a sharp knife or mandoline. Thinly slice red onion. Place cucumber slices and red onion in a large bowl.2 large English cucumbers, ½ cup red onion
- DRESS: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- MIX: Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture. Add chopped fresh dill and gently toss until vegetables are evenly coated.2 tablespoons fresh dill
- CHILL: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- SERVE: Stir the salad before serving. Garnish with additional dill if desired. Enjoy!
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Notes
- For best results, slice cucumbers to a uniform thickness. A mandoline slicer works perfectly for this.
- To prevent a watery salad, optionally salt cucumber slices and let them drain in a colander for 30 minutes before mixing with dressing.
- Taste and adjust the dressing - add more sugar for sweetness or vinegar for tang.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Substitute sour cream or Greek yogurt for half the mayonnaise for a tangier flavor.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Sarah says
I've made this a few times, it's so amazing and never lasts long in my house. today I added fresh chopped cilantro, that enhances the refreshing flavour. we love it with or without 🙂
Jeri Walker says
I'm so glad you like the cucumber salad Sarah! The chopped cilantro sounds like a great addition - thanks for sharing! 🙂
Laurie says
Made this for dinner tonight and my picky boyfriend LOVES it! He ate so much he didn't have room for his chicken. We have a bumper crop of cukes this year so I'll make a lot more of this recipe and share it with family, friends, co-workers, etc. Did I mention I love it too? I LOVE it. Thank you for sharing.
Jeri Walker says
Hi Laurie, your comment just made my day! I'm so thrilled that both you and your boyfriend loved the recipe! Thank you so much for sharing it with your family and friends - I really REALLY appreciate it! And thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a comment! 🙂
NOORJEHAN says
I will try to make this fresh salad to take to a friend's home for dinner gathering.
Jeri Walker says
That sounds like a great idea! I'm sure your friend will appreciate the fresh salad at the dinner gathering. Let me know how it turns out! 🙂