Creamy Cucumber Salad

I grew up on my mom’s creamy cucumber salad. I ate so much it’s a wonder that my hair isn’t green. My favorite part? The creamy dressing that’s left in the bottom of the bowl after you finish off the cucumbers. I’d drink that stuff right up. I still love my mom’s salad. I recently bought a spiralizer, so I figured that was a great opportunity to give it a whirl. In just seconds you get these different-looking cucumber noodles… or coodles… Hey, they’re fun! This is a wonderful variation on my favorite.

Creamy Cucumber Salad

Although this creamy cucumber salad is best with fresh dill, I usually use dry unless I can pick some fresh from our garden. I rarely get fresh dill from our garden because our garden stinks. Sorry, there’s just no other way to say it. I also add a bit more dill than the recipe calls for since I really like the combination of dill and mayonnaise. It’s very similar to Ranch dressing in flavor. I also make a version of this salad without the ‘creamy’.

Also try my creamy dill broccoli slaw!

Creamy Cucumber Salad
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5 from 1 vote

Creamy Cucumber Salad

I grew up on my mom’s creamy cucumber salad. I ate so much it’s a wonder that my hair isn’t green.
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword creamy, cucumber, salad
Prep Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6
Calories 305kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, dill and salt. Mix well.
  • Add the cucumbers and onions. Toss.
  • Cover and chill at least one hour before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 435mg | Potassium: 207mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 181IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Roasted Beet and Dill Cucumber Salad

You could’ve just knocked me over with a feather. Silly me, having low expectations for a salad with roasted beets, dill and cucumber. I couldn’t have been more wrong about what was coming. This salad is absolutely fantastic. It’s almost exactly like my favorite, my mom’s creamy cucumber salad, with the addition of roasted beets. And those beets are what take this from being a good salad to being a truly amazing one.

Roasted Beet and Dill Cucumber Salad

This roasted beet and dill cucumber salad is a great fall dish and is perfect with a Thanksgiving turkey. I love the creaminess of the dressing with the cool crisp cucumbers, followed by that great earthy beet flavor, with a hint of sweetness and smoke from roasting them. I roasted them over a grill, but you could roast them in an oven as well.

Get a good set of grill tools for these beets and anything else you grill. You won’t regret the extra few bucks they cost over the cheap ones that you’re going to have to replace in a few years. I have had several sets of Weber tools for decades and have yet to replace a single one.

Also try my roasted vegetable stuffed mushrooms.

Roasted Beet and Dill Cucumber Salad
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5 from 1 vote

Roasted Beet and Dill Cucumber Salad

You could’ve just knocked me over with a feather. Silly me, having low expectations for a salad with roasted beets, dill and cucumber. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword beets, cucumber, dill, salad
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 75kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds beets trimmed Try and get beets that are roughly all the same size. Smaller beets will cook faster.
  • ½ cup ice
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar plus 2 teaspoons
  • kosher salt
  • ground black pepper
  • 1 cucumber sliced thin
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon dill fresh, chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill for high-heat direct cooking. You want to get your grill to 450 F or higher. Alternatively, you can roast the beets in the oven set to 450 F.
  • Place the beets on a large piece of aluminum foil.
  • Add the ice and seal the foil tightly.
  • Place over direct heat and cook for 45 minutes or until the beets are fairly tender when poked with a knife or skewer.
  • Remove beets from grill and carefully open the foil.
  • Let cool slightly then remove the skin from the beets and slice.
  • Place beets in a medium bowl with the oil, 1 tablespoon of the vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to combine.
  • In another bowl, gently combine the cucumber, remaining 2 teaspoons of vinegar, sour cream, dill, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve by placing beets on a dish, then add the cucumbers on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 92mg | Potassium: 424mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 87IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Greek Salad Bites

I was making grilled lamb gyros the other day and figured I’d better scout around for a Greek-inspired side dish. I didn’t want to do the ‘usual’ Greek salad, but I wanted something light. These little Greek salad bite appetizers worked just great as a side. My wife is a big fan of sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives, so she really liked these. The basil sprinkled on top really brings these little morsels together.

Greek Salad Bites

I think that the cucumbers made for a great vessel for these Greek salad bites. But really, you don’t have to use them. You can substitute your favorite cracker instead.

Also try my grilled zucchini roll-ups.

Greek Salad Bites
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4 from 1 vote

Greek Salad Bites

These little Greek salad bite appetizers worked just great as a side. My wife's a big fan of sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives, so she really liked these. The basil sprinkled on top really brings these little morsels together.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Greek
Keyword Greek, salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 61kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fold together the feta, yogurt, parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and black pepper in small bowl. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, up to 24.
  • Slice cucumber into slices.
  • Spoon mixture onto the tops of the cucumbers.
  • Sprinkle tops of cucumbers with the olives, followed by a pinch of the crumbled dried basil.

Nutrition

Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 233mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 274IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.