Ever feel like summer is basically just an excuse to eat cucumbers? Same. And this vegan cucumber yogurt salad is the perfect way to do it. It's cool, creamy, and ridiculously refreshing, yet only requires a handful of ingredients. There's no better summer salad for cooling down on those hot summer days!
What is Cucumber Yogurt Salad?
The tangy flavor of yogurt works perfectly with cool, crunchy cucumbers, especially when paired with fresh herbs like mint and dill. Overall, the flavor is similar to a Greek tzatziki but in salad form.
You get the fresh, herby notes from the creamy dressing, but with lots of texture thanks to all the sliced cucumbers, crisp red onion, and sweet tomatoes.
To keep it completely vegan, we simply use dairy-free yogurt instead of plain Greek yogurt. That's it!
You truly will not be able to tell one bit - the flavors and textures are exactly what you expect.
Serve it next to all the other salads at your summer parties, and no one will even be able to tell it isn't made with dairy.
There's seriously no better option for when those temperatures spike!
Why you’ll love this Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
- Made with just a handful of ingredients you probably already have on hand
- Super simple salad anyone can make - you don't even have to cook a thing!
- This cooling, creamy salad helps mellow the heat from spicy dishes, like grilled kebabs, veggie burgers, spicy Indian recipes, and more
- Can be made ahead of time and left in the fridge for days at a time
- Perfect side dish for a summer cookout - always a hit and doesn't even taste "vegan"
Helpful Tip
Mix up the dressing first and let it sit for a bit - trust me, the flavors get way better after they hang out together for a while.
Ingredients for Dill Cucumber Yogurt Salad
This healthy cucumber salad is one of those recipes that's almost too easy. You don't need anything but a few veggies and a super simple dressing for massive flavor. Plus, there's no actual cooking involved, so you don't even have to heat up the kitchen.
- English cucumbers - Seedless English cucumbers are best with their thin skin and crispy bite.
- Red onion - A little sliced red onion adds a sharp, crisp heat and crunch.
- Cherry tomatoes - For a little sweetness and brightness.
- Vegan yogurt dressing - Combine vegan yogurt with fresh dill, mint, maple syrup, fresh lemon juice, kosher salt, and a little black pepper. It's so refreshing, creamy, and slightly sweet with a little brightness from the lemon.
How to Make Vegan Cucumber Yogurt Salad
Making the dressing is the hardest part of this recipe, and that's saying something! There are no fancy skills required here. Just whisk the dressing together, cut up the veggies, and combine. Easy!
- Make dressing by adding yogurt, lemon, maple syrup, salt and pepper to a small bowl or jar.
- Mix until well combined, then add fresh herbs and mix again.
- In a large bowl, combine cucumber, onion, and tomato.
- Pour the yogurt mixture over the veggies and mix until well combined.
- Serve and enjoy!
Storing Suggestions
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
The salad will begin to look a little saucy after 1-2 days as the cucumbers contain a lot of water and release excess moisture as they sit. It still tastes great! If you'd like, serve it with a slotted spoon to strain off any extra liquid before plating.
Tips for Making the Best Cucumber Dill Yogurt Salad
- Use fresh herbs. Fresh mint and dill add so much more flavor than the dried herbs. That being said, you can use dried herbs in a pinch. You'll need about half as much as fresh and you'll want to let the dressing rest for at least 30 minutes so the herbs can rehydrate.
- Heat it up. Add fresh garlic or red pepper flakes to the yogurt dressing for a sharper, bolder flavor.
- Scale up or down. You can easily double this recipe to make a big batch for parties and potlucks.
FAQs
You can use any type of non-dairy yogurt you like. That can be a thinner yogurt, similar to plain yogurt, or a thick Greek yogurt. Most vegan yogurts are made with different types of plant milks, so it's best to choose one with a flavor and texture you like. If you don't have any, you can also use vegan sour cream.
I love the flavor and bite you get from the cherry tomatoes, but many people like to make cucumber yogurt salads with just sliced cucumbers and red onion. I think you should try it with the tomatoes to see what you think, but I'll leave that part up to you!
Yes, but keep in mind that many garden cucumbers have a thick skin and large seeds. English cucumbers are perfect for salads because they have thinner skin and they usually don't have many, if any, seeds.
For salads, look for cucumbers that are perfectly ripe, not overgrown. They have fewer seeds and a thinner skin. Persian cucumbers are a fun option, too. They're just smaller, like mini English cukes.
Other Delicious Vegan Cucumber Recipes
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Dill Cucumber Yogurt Salad with Vegan Yogurt
Ingredients
- 2 English cucumbers peeled and sliced
- ½ red onion cut in thin strips
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 1 cup vegan yogurt
- 2 tbsp chopped dill
- 2 tbsp chopped mint
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 lemon juiced
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 grinds black pepper
Instructions
- Make dressing by adding yogurt, lemon, maple syrup, salt and pepper to a small bowl or jar.
- Mix until well combined, then add fresh herbs and mix again.
- Make the salad by adding cucumber, onion, and tomato to a bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the veggies and mix until well combined.
- Enjoy within 3-4 days for best quality.