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This Cucumber Salad recipe features deliciously crunchy slices of fresh cucumbers and radishes tossed in a creamy, garlicky yogurt dressing. It’s a refreshing and flavorful side dish perfect for any occasion. The combination of crisp vegetables and rich dressing creates a salad that’s both satisfying and light, making it an ideal choice for warm-weather meals!
For more delicious salads, make this La Scala Chopped Salad for a hearty meal, my Chef Salad for a classic favorite, or my Grape Salad for a touch of sweetness and fruity goodness.
My husband once threatened to throw away the mandoline because I’ve never used it without hurting myself. In response, I threatened to never make his beloved cucumber salad again without it. Moments later, that treacherous tool was back on the kitchen counter, and that’s how this delicious side salad was born.
When we got married, I often made my favorite cabbage cucumber salad. Without fail, he’d sneak in and slice a few radishes into his bowl each and every time. I’ve never met anyone who enjoys radishes as much as he does. Personally, I can’t even taste them! Do they have a taste?
Soon enough, to keep things interesting, I started adding radishes to our cucumber salad, but not without a generous dose of garlic yogurt dressing. Because, let’s be honest, garlic is always the answer.
What You’ll Need
With its refreshing and crisp ingredients, this cucumber salad with radishes is the perfect side dish for your summer weekend celebrations. Whether you’re having a barbecue or a casual family gathering, this salad will be a hit.
- English Cucumber: If you don’t have English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers or regular cucumbers work just as well.
- Radishes: If radishes aren’t your thing, feel free to leave them out or substitute them with thinly sliced red onions.
- Green Onions: I love the mild and zesty flavor a green onion adds to cucumbers and radishes. Chives can be used as a substitute for a subtler taste.
- Plain Yogurt: Used as the creamy base of the dressing. Greek yogurt can be used for a thicker consistency.
- Lite Sour Cream: Adds creaminess and a slight tang. Regular sour cream can be used instead.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Helps to blend the dressing. Olive oil or avocado oil is a good alternative.
- Garlic: Garlic powder can be used if fresh garlic is not available.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Enhances all the flavors in the salad. Adjust to taste.
How To Make Cucumber Salad with Radishes
The combination of cool cucumbers, peppery radishes, and a creamy garlic dressing is sure to please everyone. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and pairs well with a variety of main dishes.
- Prepare the Salad: Slice the cucumber into thin rounds and the radishes into thin slices. Chop the green onions and combine all these ingredients in a large salad bowl.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the plain yogurt, sour cream, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and fresh ground black pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Combine and Chill: Pour the creamy yogurt dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss everything until well combined. Refrigerate the salad for about 20 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Serve: Once chilled, give the salad a final toss and serve.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Uniform Slices: For an even texture, use a mandoline or a sharp knife to slice the cucumbers and radishes into thin, same-sized pieces.
- Salt the Cucumbers: If you have extra time, sprinkle a little salt over the cucumber slices and let them sit for about 10 minutes. This will draw out excess moisture, making the salad less watery. Rinse and pat them dry before mixing with the other ingredients.
- Chill Before Serving: Let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and enhances the refreshing taste.
- Add Tomatoes: For a burst of juicy sweetness, add halved cherry tomatoes to the salad.
- Toss In Fresh Herbs: Chopped fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or cilantro can add more flavor.
- Switch Up the Dressing: If you want to change the dressing, try a light vinaigrette like my homemade Italian dressing or something creamy, like this ranch dressing.
- Include Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese will add a creamy and salty flavor to the salad.
Serving Suggestions
This cucumber and radish salad is perfect as a refreshing side dish for any meal, especially during the warmer months. Pair it with grilled chicken thighs or grilled swordfish for a light and healthy dinner. It’s also a great addition to a picnic or barbecue, adding a crisp contrast to dishes like California burgers and Chinese boneless spare ribs.
For a vegetarian option, serve it alongside a hearty Mediterranean bowl or quinoa stuffed peppers. You can even enjoy it on its own as a quick and easy lunch.
Proper Storage
It’s best not to store the salad once dressed, as the dressing can make the vegetables soggy. Instead, store the sliced cucumbers, radishes, and chopped green onions in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Keep the creamy dressing in another container. Combine and toss with the dressing just before serving.
More Salads To Try
- Mediterranean Tortellini Salad
- Avocado and Feta Cheese Orzo Salad
- Green Goddess Salad
- Dijon Potato Salad with Mushrooms and Onions
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Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 to 2 long English cucumbers, washed and cut into thin rounds
- 10 radishes, washed and thinly sliced
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped
For the Dressing
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil, or olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- In a salad bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, radishes, and chopped green onions; set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing; taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly. If the consistency is too thick for your liking, add a little more olive oil; if it's too thin, add more sour cream.
- Add the dressing to the salad, toss until combined, and place in the fridge for 20 minutes.
- Serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Love this salad. So sorry about your digit. I’ve done it myself, stings like mad. Luckily you had this gorgeous salad to soften the blow of your injury.
Sounds like just my kind of salad, I love the crunch of radishes!
So into big summer salads! Can’t wait to try yours.
Ohhh dang – I hope you’re healing up! Mandolines always make me nervous for that same reason!
But this salad looks worth the pain. B-E-A-utiful!
That garlic yogurt dressing sounds like pure heaven!
This is definitely my type of salad! Love the combination of crunchy slices with garlic yogurt. Reminds me of our cacik. Pinned!
Oh, those wily mandolins (I feel your pain!).
Gorgeous salad!! One can never go wrong with radishes.
I’ve been getting a lot of CSA radishes lately and now I know what to make with them! Love this.
Mandoline cuts are the worst! This salad looks awesome and garlic is always the answer.
Garlic yogurt dressing? Be still my heart! I can see that stuff going on lots of things this summer. It sounds as amazing as your salad looks!