Get ready to meet your new favorite side dish! This Cucumber Ranch Salad is the perfect blend of crisp, cool cucumbers and a rich, creamy ranch dressing, all brought together with a hint of fresh dill and sharp red onion. It’s an incredibly simple, refreshing salad that comes together in minutes, making it the ideal choice for summer potlucks, weeknight dinners, or any time you need a quick and delicious recipe. Forget watery, bland salads; this recipe includes a crucial tip to ensure your salad stays crisp and flavorful every single time. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Why You’ll Fall in Love With This Cucumber Ranch Salad
This isn’t just another salad recipe; it’s a game-changer for quick and flavorful side dishes. It’s the perfect companion to heartier meals, cutting through richness with its fresh, vibrant taste.
- Incredibly Quick & Easy: With just a handful of common ingredients, you can whip this salad up in about 15 minutes.
- No More Watery Salads: We’re sharing the single most important step to draw out excess water from the cucumbers, ensuring a creamy, not soupy, dressing.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a backyard BBQ, a holiday gathering, or a simple weeknight dinner, this salad fits right in. It pairs beautifully with everything from grilled meats to hearty casseroles like this Cheddar Bay Seafood Pot Pie.
- Versatile & Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to add your own favorite mix-ins to make it uniquely yours!
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this cucumber ranch salad lies in its simplicity. You only need a few fresh ingredients to create a truly memorable side dish.
- Cucumbers: English or Persian cucumbers are the best choice here. Their thin skin means you don’t have to peel them, and they have fewer seeds and less water content than other varieties.
- Ranch Dressing: A good quality store-bought ranch works perfectly. For the best flavor, use a thick and creamy refrigerated ranch dressing.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: This adds an extra layer of creaminess and a pleasant tang that complements the ranch.
- Red Onion: Finely sliced red onion provides a sharp, slightly sweet bite that cuts through the creamy dressing.
- Fresh Dill: Fresh herbs are a must! Dill adds a classic, aromatic flavor that is the hallmark of a perfect cucumber salad.
- Salt & Pepper: To draw out moisture and season the salad to perfection.
How to Make Cucumber Ranch Salad Step-by-Step
Making this refreshing salad is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
Step 1: Prep the Cucumbers (The Secret to No More Watery Salad!)
First, wash and thinly slice your cucumbers. Place them in a colander and sprinkle them generously with salt, tossing to coat. Let them sit in the sink for about 30 minutes. The salt will draw out the excess water. Afterward, rinse the cucumbers thoroughly with cold water to remove the salt and pat them completely dry with a paper towel. This step is crucial for a creamy, not watery, final salad.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Ranch Dressing
While the cucumbers are resting, prepare the dressing. In a large bowl, combine the ranch dressing, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), finely sliced red onion, and chopped fresh dill. Stir everything together until it’s smooth and well combined. Season with a pinch of black pepper.
Step 3: Combine and Chill
Add the rinsed and dried cucumbers to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold everything together until the cucumbers are evenly coated. For the best flavor, cover the salad and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Pro Tips for the Best Cucumber Salad
Take your Cucumber Ranch Salad from great to absolutely amazing with these simple expert tips.
- Slice Uniformly: For the best texture, try to slice the cucumbers to a uniform thickness. A mandoline slicer is a fantastic tool for this.
- Always Use Fresh Herbs: While you can use dried dill in a pinch, fresh dill offers a much brighter and more robust flavor that truly elevates the dish.
- Don’t Skip the Chill Time: Chilling the salad is essential. It helps the flavors to deepen and ensures the salad is perfectly cool and refreshing when you serve it. If you’re looking for another dish that benefits from melding flavors, try this fantastic classic macaroni salad recipe.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also incredibly easy to customize. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Add Bacon: For a savory, crunchy element, add some crispy, crumbled bacon right before serving.
- Include Tomatoes: Halved cherry or grape tomatoes can add a burst of sweetness and color.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the dressing for a little kick.
- Make it a Meal: Turn this side into a light lunch by adding some shredded rotisserie chicken. For a heartier meal, a Turkey Melt Sandwich (coming soon) on the side is a perfect pairing.
What to Serve with Your Salad
This versatile salad pairs well with a wide variety of main courses. It’s the perfect cooling contrast to spicy dishes like Cajun Steak Rigatoni or a refreshing side for grilled favorites like Oven-Roasted Garlic Chicken. It’s also a star at any potluck, sitting perfectly alongside other classic sides.
Storing Leftover Cucumber Ranch Salad
Because we salt the cucumbers to draw out moisture, this salad holds up better than most creamy cucumber salads. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The cucumbers will soften slightly but will still be delicious. I do not recommend freezing this salad, as the texture of the cucumbers and dressing will change significantly upon thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Because the cucumbers are salted to remove excess water, this salad holds up well. You can make it up to 24 hours in advance. Keep it covered in the refrigerator. The flavors will actually meld and become even more delicious over time.
Absolutely. Plain Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute for sour cream. It provides a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture. Using a full-fat version will yield the creamiest result.
The absolute best way is to salt your sliced cucumbers and let them rest in a colander for 30 minutes. This process, called disgorging, draws out the excess moisture. Afterward, be sure to rinse the salt off and pat the cucumbers completely dry before mixing them with the dressing.
English or Persian cucumbers are ideal for this salad. They have thinner skins (so you don’t need to peel them), fewer seeds, and a lower water content than standard slicing cucumbers, which helps keep the salad crisp.
This salad is very versatile! Popular additions include crispy crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, or even a bit of cooked pasta to make it a more substantial salad.
Your New Go-To Refreshing Side!
This Cucumber Ranch Salad recipe is a keeper. It’s the perfect combination of simple, fresh, and flavorful that will earn it a permanent spot in your recipe rotation. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s a favorite for any and every occasion. If you loved this recipe, please share it on Pinterest or leave a comment below!
Cucumber Ranch Salad Recipe
Cucumber Ranch Salad: The Ultimate Refreshing Side Dish
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place the thinly sliced cucumbers in a colander. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt and toss to combine. Let the cucumbers sit for 30 minutes to draw out excess water.
- Rinse the cucumbers thoroughly under cold water to remove all the salt. Pat them completely dry with paper towels. This step is critical to prevent a watery salad.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, sour cream, finely sliced red onion, chopped fresh dill, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the dry cucumbers to the dressing and gently stir until everything is well-coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure you pat the cucumbers completely dry after rinsing; any remaining water will dilute the dressing.
Tip 3: The salad is best enjoyed within 2 days. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
