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This cucumber yogurt salad is light, creamy, and incredibly refreshing. Made with crisp cucumbers, garlic, dill, and thick yogurt or kefir-style cheese, it’s a simple dish that works as a dip, side, or spread.
Think of it as a Bulgarian-style tzatziki – but thicker, creamier, and more satisfying.
It’s quick to make, low in carbs, and perfect for warm weather meals or anything off the grill.
Diced cucumber mixed a creamy, garlicky sauce, made with either thick strained Greek yogurt or Kefir stye cheese. Perfect for a spread, dipping sauce or side dish. Low-carb and very quick and easy to make, great addition to your grilling season menu.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- How to Make Cucumber Yogurt Salad
- Tips for Best Results
- Substitutions
- Add-Ins (Make It Your Own)
- Make Ahead & Storage
- FAQ
- What Type of Cucumbers to Use
- How to Remove Excess Moisture from Cucumbers
- What Is Kefir Cheese (Labneh)?
- What goes with cucumber yogurt salad with dill?
- Can You Make This Cucumber Yogurt Salad in Advance?
- More cucumber salad recipes:
- Quick Note
- Cucumber Yogurt Salad (With Kefir Cheese or Greek Yogurt) Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Great for meal prep and gatherings
- Fresh, light, and creamy
- Made with simple ingredients
- Ready in under 15 minutes
- Works as a dip, spread, or side
Ingredients
- Cucumbers (English or Persian work best)
- Salt
- Garlic
- Fresh dill
- Full-fat Greek yogurt or kefir-style cheese (labneh)
- Optional: lemon juice
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
How to Make Cucumber Yogurt Salad
Adjust and chill
Add salt to taste and a little lemon juice if needed. Chill for 30–60 minutes before serving.
Prep the cucumbers
Peel and dice into small cubes. If the seeds are large or watery, remove them.
Draw out moisture
Place cucumbers in a strainer, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 10 minutes. Gently press to remove excess water.
Mix the salad
Transfer cucumbers to a bowl. Add garlic, dill, and yogurt (or kefir cheese). Stir to combine.
Tips for Best Results
Chill before serving
The flavors come together and taste better cold.
Drain cucumbers well
This is key for a thick, creamy texture (not watery).
Use thick yogurt
Full-fat Greek yogurt or strained yogurt works best.
Cut cucumbers small and even
Better texture and more balanced flavor in every bite.
Substitutions
Lemon juice → vinegar
Adds brightness if needed.
Yogurt → kefir cheese (labneh)
Richer, thicker, slightly tangier.
Dill → mint
Fresh mint gives a lighter, slightly different flavor.
Garlic → garlic powder
Use if you want a milder taste.
Add-Ins (Make It Your Own)
- Grated cucumber instead of diced (for smoother texture)
- Chopped walnuts for crunch
- Olive oil drizzle for richness
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Finely chopped green onions
Make Ahead & Storage
Best served cold
Store in the fridge for up to 3-5 days
Stir before serving (some liquid may separate)
FAQ
Yes. It actually tastes better after chilling for a few hours.
The cucumbers weren’t drained enough. Salt and drain them well before mixing.
Yes, but the texture will be thinner and less creamy.
Yes — just make sure to drain them very well.
What Type of Cucumbers to Use
English or Persian cucumbers work best — they have fewer seeds and less water.
Regular cucumbers can also be used, but make sure to peel them and remove the seeds if they are large or watery.
The goal is a crisp texture without excess moisture.
How to Remove Excess Moisture from Cucumbers
This step is key for a creamy (not watery) salad.
- Dice or slice the cucumbers
- Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10–15 minutes
- Place in a strainer over a bowl to drain
- Gently press or pat dry with paper towels
Removing excess water helps the yogurt stay thick and the flavor more concentrated.
👉 Removing excess water helps the yogurt stay thick and the flavor more concentrated.
What Is Kefir Cheese (Labneh)?
Kefir-style cheese (similar to labneh) is a thick, strained yogurt with a rich, creamy texture.
It tastes slightly tangy, like a mix between yogurt and sour cream, and works perfectly in this salad.
You can use either kefir cheese or thick Greek yogurt — both work great.
What goes with cucumber yogurt salad with dill?
This Greek yogurt cucumber salad (or Kefir cucumber salad) goes well with so many things – serve it on an appetizer platter with other salads, fritters or cold cuts of meat.
Serve with pork, poultry or vegetables. Ad to pita pockets or grain bowls.
Can You Make This Cucumber Yogurt Salad in Advance?
Yes – this salad is perfect for making ahead.
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–5 days. It’s a great option for meal prep, gatherings, or quick sides during the week.
Keep in mind that cucumbers naturally release some water over time. If that happens, simply spoon off the liquid or stir the salad before serving.
For best texture, give it a quick mix and taste for salt before serving.
More cucumber salad recipes:
- Cucumber Onion Salad With Olives
- Spiralized Cucumber Salad
- Cucumber Radish Salad
- Bulgarian Shopska Salad
Quick Note
This is one of those simple recipes that doesn’t need much — just good ingredients and a few small steps done right.
Fresh, creamy, and easy every time.
Cucumber Yogurt Salad (With Kefir Cheese or Greek Yogurt)
Ingredients
- 2 large English cucumbers
- 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb kefir-style cheese or thick Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp lemon juice, optional, more useful if using kefir cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped (or less, to taste)
Video
Instructions
Prepare the cucumbers
- Peel and dice into small cubes. If the seeds are large or watery, remove them.
Remove excess moisture
- Place cucumbers in a strainer over a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes. Gently press to release as much liquid as possible.
Mix the salad
- Transfer cucumbers to a bowl. Add garlic, yogurt (or kefir cheese), dill, and lemon juice if using.
Adjust and serve
- Stir well, taste, and adjust salt if needed. Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Notes
- For a thicker, richer texture, use kefir-style cheese or very thick Greek yogurt
- If using regular yogurt, strain it first for best results
- Fresh mint can be used instead of dill for a different flavor
- Salad may release some liquid during storage – stir before serving
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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