Wholesome Cucumber Salad • Kath Eats

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

Have some cucumbers it’s essential to deplete? This creamy cucumber salad is the right 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 rooster. With a sauce manufactured from Greek yogurt, dill, and lemon, you’ll be capable to spotlight freshly picked summer season cucumber and cherry tomatoes.

That is the right cucumber recipe for when the fruit is in season from Might by means of August.

Wholesome Cucumber Salad

This cucumber salad recipe is the right refreshing, veggie-heavy facet for those who’re going to grill rooster or steak.  

Salads just like this type typically have a whole lot of bitter cream and mayo that may be so gloppy and wealthy that you would be able to hardly style the veggies beneath! This model is made with Greek yogurt (what did we do with out Greek yogurt!?) so it’s increased 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 satisfy within the center. Moreover, relying on the model of Greek yogurt you select, chances are 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 Greatest for Salads?

There are extra sorts of cucumber than chances are you’ll assume! These are my favorites to incorporate in salads:

1. English Cucumbers: Also called European cucumbers. This sort of cuc is gentle in taste, and doesn’t have many seeds. They’re bought 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.
2. Backyard Grown Cucumbers: If in case you have entry to a backyard or a farmer’s market, these are the most effective this time of yr! They are often served peeled or unpeeled.
3. 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. 
4. 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 protecting to assist protect it and can must be peeled previous to consuming. These are my least favourite! 

Elements

• English Cucumber – I favor English cucumbers as a result of they aren’t fairly as soggy on the within and are usually essentially the most crisp! Plus they’re skinny skinned so that you don’t have to fret concerning the waxy peel. You may as well 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 at liberty to sub partly bitter cream for those who 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 could have rising in your backyard).
• Sugar + Salt – To steadiness the palette! 
• Kalamata Olives – non-obligatory however nice for a Greek taste profile
• Pita Bread – additionally non-obligatory, for garnish

Directions

Step 1: Prep the cucumbers and tomatoes

Wash the cucumber, use a pointy knife to halve lengthwise, and minimize 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 once 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 suggest 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.
• In case you are so daring to crave recent garlic or pink onions, you possibly can add both to this recipe for an additional kick! 
• Toss in some corn minimize off the cob for an additional ingredient! 
• Add pink pepper flakes to spice issues up a bit. 

Extra summer season salad concepts: