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This refreshing Cucumber Yogurt Salad recipe features all the flavors of tzatziki in salad form. It’s loaded with crunchy cucumbers, creamy Greek yogurt, fresh dill, garlic and lemon. A quick and easy side dish that is SO GOOD!

Cucumber yogurt salad in a white bowl.

Reasons To Love This Salad

  • It’s so incredibly delicious! If you love tzatziki, then you will love this cucumber yogurt salad! It has all the same flavors.
  • Creamy + Refreshing: This cucumber salad is made with yogurt so not only is it creamy but it is also tangy and refreshing.
  • Quick and easy side dish: Whip it up in 10 minutes! It’s a great summer salad option that pairs well with grilled foods. Also delicious any time of year as a refreshing side dish served alongside rich or spicy foods or as part of a Greek or Mediterranean feast!
Close up of cucumber salad with greek yogurt dressing.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Just a few simple ingredients are needed to make this delicious salad…

Labelled image showing ingredients needed to make cucumber yogurt salad.
  • Cucumbers: I like to use English cucumbers since they are seedless and do not need to be peeled.
  • Greek Yogurt: Or any type of plain yogurt. I prefer to use a full-fat variety for the creaminess, taste and texture.
  • Dill: Freshly chopped dill adds so much fresh flavor.
  • Lemon: Zest and juice of half a lemon for added brightness and acidity.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A little bit adds to the creaminess and brings the dressing together.
  • Garlic: I like to use one clove of minced garlic but feel free to use more if you like it extra garlicky.
  • Salt + Pepper: Some salt and freshly ground pepper to season it up!

Detailed ingredient list and directions located in the recipe card below.

Tip: It’s much easier to zest the lemon before juicing it. I like to use a fine microplane grater when zesting. Make sure that you only grate off the yellow part of the peel. Avoid grating the white part since it is bitter.

How To Make Cucumber Yogurt Salad

This creamy yogurt dill cucumber salad is super easy to make. Simply…

Numbered collage showing how to make cucumber yogurt salad step by step.
  1. Slice: Thinly slice the cucumbers. You can use a mandoline, slicing side of a box grater, food processor with a thin slice attachment or a sharp knife. If using a mandoline, I also recommend some cut resistant gloves for safety.
  2. Make Dressing: In a small bowl, stir together the remaining ingredients.
  3. Mix Together: Add the cucumber slices and dressing to a mixing bowl. Toss to combine.
  4. Serve or Chill: Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Tip: If you have some time, you can make the dressing ahead of time and let it sit in the fridge for an hour or more to let the flavors combine.

Spiralize it

Do you have a spiralizer? For a fun presentation idea, you can also spiralize the cucumbers into flat ribbon shapes. Use scissors to cut the spiralized cucumbers into pieces that are more manageable to eat.

Bowl of spiralized cucumber salad with wood tongs.

Possible Variations

Salads are so easy to customize. Here are a few ideas…

  • Use different type of cucumber: Instead of English cucumbers, you could also use Persian, Lebanese or field cucumbers instead. You will need to use more cucumbers if using a smaller variety. If using field cucumbers, make sure to peel them, slice in half vertically and scoop out the seeds before slicing since this variety has seeds and a tougher skin.
  • Add extra veggies: Onions, sliced radishes, etc.
  • Use different herbs: Parsley, chives or mint would all be delicious.
White bowl of cucumber yogurt salad with gold serving spoons.

What To Serve It With

This cucumber yogurt salad recipe is a simple, refreshing side dish that is delicious served alongside…

  • Grilled foods: This is a great summer salad since it pairs well with grilled foods like steak, chicken kebabs, sausages, grilled salmon, shrimp skewers and more.
  • Spicy or rich foods: A refreshing and cooling side dish for any spicy or rich dish.
  • Meat + Seafood: Delicious side dish for roasts like this Herb Crusted Roast Beef, chicken, pork tenderloin, fish, or these Easy Pan Seared Shrimp.
  • Greek + Mediterranean food: Excellent side dish for all your Greek or Mediterranean favorites.
Serving spoon lifting some cucumber salad out of bowl.

A Few Questions Answered

Can it be made ahead of time?

Once mixed, this salad is best served immediately or within 30 minutes of tossing together. To prep ahead, mix the dressing and store it in a separate container from the sliced cucumbers. Then just toss everything together right before serving.

How long does this salad last in the fridge?

I don’t find that this salad stores well once it has been mixed together. It’s better to store the dressing separately and then just toss together the quantity of salad that will be eaten.

Do you peel cucumbers for salad?

I don’t tend to peel the English cucumbers in this salad since they are thin skinned. One less thing to do! However, you can peel them if you prefer. I do peel them first when I make Creamy German Cucumber Salad. It all comes down to personal preference! However, if you use field cucumbers, it is a good idea to peel the skin as it tends to be tough,

White bowl of greek yogurt cucumber salad with gold serving spoons.

More Salad Recipes

Love salads? I’ve got lots more salad recipes for you to make. Here’s a few that you might like…

Let me know if you try this Cucumber Yogurt Salad! Leave me a comment below or tag me on Instagram.

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Close up of cucumber yogurt salad with dill.

Cucumber Yogurt Salad

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Vanessa | Maple + Mango
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 0 min
  • Total Time: 10 min
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean, American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This refreshing Cucumber Yogurt Salad recipe features all the flavors of tzatziki in salad form. It’s loaded with crunchy cucumbers, creamy Greek yogurt, fresh dill, garlic and lemon. A quick and easy side dish that is SO GOOD!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 English cucumbers
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (or plain yogurt)
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 lemon, zested and juiced (approx. 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste (I use pink Himalayan or sea salt)
  • freshly ground pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Slice: Thinly slice the cucumbers with a mandoline, slicing side of a box grater, food processor with thin slice attachment or a knife.
  2. Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients.
  3. Mix Together: Place the cucumber slices and dressing into a mixing bowl.  Toss to combine.
  4. Serve or Chill: Serve immediately or place in the fridge to chill for up to 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Safety Tip: If you are using a mandoline to slice the cucumbers, I highly recommend some cut resistant gloves to avoid accidents.
  • Make Dressing Ahead: If you have some time, make the dressing ahead of time and place it in the fridge for an hour or more to let the flavors combine.
  • Spiralize It: If you have a spiralizer, you can also spiralize the cucumbers into flat ribbon shapes instead of slicing them.  It’s a fun presentation idea!
  • Storage + Make Ahead Tips: This salad is best served immediately or within 30 minutes if you choose to chill it first.  It does not store well once mixed.  To prep ahead, mix the dressing and store in a separate container from the sliced cucumbers.  Toss together just before serving.
  • If you love cucumber salad, then you might also want to try this Creamy German Cucumber Salad recipe.

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Pinterest collage graphic for Cucumber Yogurt Salad.

About Vanessa Gilic

I want to help you make delicious food using real ingredients! Explore a variety of easy to follow, real-food recipes ranging from healthy eats to comfort food. Welcome to Maple + Mango – I'm so happy you're here!

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10 Comments

  1. Leana G. says:

    I just made this recipe today and I have to say I absolutely LOVED it. I do like to eat on the lower side of salt. I followed the recipe as is but added more lemon juice to bring down the salt taste (to my personal preference). This recipe is now going on my weekly rotation. I am officially obsessed. SOOO GOOD and refreshing. Two thumbs up!






    1. Vanessa | Maple + Mango says:

      I’m so happy that you loved this cucumber salad!

  2. Terri says:

    I just had some leftover tzatziki – great salad for using that up too!






    1. Vanessa | Maple + Mango says:

      Great idea!

  3. Bernice says:

    I grew up eating this salad and it’s one of my favourites. Great to have a slightly healthier version to try out.






    1. Vanessa | Maple + Mango says:

      I grew up eating creamy German cucumber salad (the recipe is also here on the site) which I still make often as well. I switch back and forth between the two recipes depending on what I am eating it with or feel like that day. I just love a nice cucumber salad!

  4. Colleen says:

    This is a favorite in our house at this time of year because we always grow too many cucumbers. It’s simple but so fresh and delicious!






    1. Vanessa | Maple + Mango says:

      Home grown cucumbers would make it even more special! Enjoy!

  5. nancy says:

    i love yogurt, garlic with cucumbers! It’s great alone or with your grilled meats and veggies!






    1. Vanessa | Maple + Mango says:

      It’s definitely a great side dish for grilled meats!