Greek Yogurt Cucumber Salad (Printable version)

Crisp cucumbers tossed in tangy Greek yogurt with dill, lemon and garlic for a light, creamy side in 15 minutes.

# What you need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Dairy

03 - 1 cup Greek yogurt, whole milk or low-fat

→ Fresh Herbs & Seasonings

04 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh mint, finely chopped (optional)
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
07 - 1 garlic clove, minced
08 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How To:

01 - Thinly slice the cucumbers and red onion, then place them together in a large mixing bowl.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, chopped dill, mint (if using), lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
03 - Pour the yogurt dressing over the sliced cucumbers and red onion. Gently toss until all the vegetables are evenly coated.
04 - Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill thoroughly.
05 - Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with additional fresh dill or mint leaves if desired. Serve cold.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes exactly fifteen minutes from cutting board to table and requires zero cooking whatsoever.
  • The combination of tangy yogurt and cool cucumber is the sort of thing that disappears faster than you expect at any gathering.
02 -
  • If you salt the cucumber slices and let them sit for ten minutes before dressing, they release excess water and your salad stays creamy instead of turning into soup.
  • The garlic flavor intensifies as it sits, so if you are making this a day ahead consider using half a clove instead.
03 -
  • Run the tines of a fork down the length of each cucumber before slicing for a decorative edge that also helps the dressing cling to every piece.
  • Use a microplane to grate the garlic into the yogurt instead of mincing by hand for a smoother, more evenly distributed flavor.

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