Creamy Cucumber Carrot Salad

Ingredients

For the Salad

• 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and julienned or grated
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

For the Creamy Dressing

• ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried dill, optional

Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables: Wash and thinly slice the cucumbers. Peel and julienne or grate the carrots. Thinly slice the red onion.
2. Reduce cucumber moisture: Place the cucumber slices in a bowl and sprinkle lightly with salt. Let them sit for 10–15 minutes, then gently pat dry with paper towels. This helps prevent a watery salad.
3. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and dried dill until smooth and creamy.
4. Combine: Add cucumbers, carrots, red onion, and fresh dill to a large bowl.
5. Add dressing: Pour the creamy dressing over the vegetables and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
6. Add sesame seeds: Sprinkle in the sesame seeds and give the salad another gentle toss.
7. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 20–30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.
8. Serve: Give the salad a gentle stir before serving and garnish with extra fresh dill and sesame seeds if desired.

Prep & Cooking Information

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Chill Time: 20–30 minutes
• Cooking Time: None
• Total Time: About 40–50 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

Nutrition Information

Approximate per serving, using Greek yogurt and mayonnaise:

• Calories: 130–160
• Protein: 4–6 g
• Carbohydrates: 10–13 g
• Fat: 8–10 g
• Fiber: 2–3 g
• Sugar: 5–7 g
• Sodium: 250–350 mg

Actual nutrition will vary depending on the yogurt, mayonnaise, and sweetener used.

Nut & Allergen Information

• Contains: Sesame seeds.
• Tree nuts: None in the recipe.
• Peanuts: None.
• Dairy: Greek yogurt or sour cream contains dairy.
• Eggs: May be present in mayonnaise.
• Gluten: Naturally gluten-free, but check Dijon mustard and mayonnaise labels if strict gluten avoidance is required.
• Sesame-free option: Omit the sesame seeds.
• Dairy-free option: Use unsweetened dairy-free yogurt and egg-free mayonnaise.
• Egg-free option: Use egg-free mayonnaise.

Helpful Tips

• English cucumbers work especially well because they have fewer seeds and are less watery.
• For extra crunch, leave the cucumber slices slightly thicker rather than paper-thin.
• For a stronger flavor, add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest.
• For a spicy version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or ¼ teaspoon chili powder.
• For extra protein, use thick Greek yogurt as the main dressing base.
• Don’t add the dressing too far in advance if you want the vegetables to remain very crisp.

Q&A

Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes. It can be prepared several hours ahead and refrigerated. For maximum crunch, keep the dressing separate and combine it shortly before serving.

Q: Why did my salad become watery?
Cucumbers naturally release water. Salting and patting the cucumber dry before adding the dressing helps significantly.

Q: Can I use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt?
Yes. Sour cream gives the salad a richer, creamier flavor.

Q: Can I make it without mayonnaise?
Yes. Replace the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt or sour cream.

Q: Can I use grated carrots?
Absolutely. Grated carrots make the salad softer, while julienned carrots provide more crunch.

Q: How long does it keep?
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 1–2 days for the best texture.

Q: Can I add protein?
Yes. Grilled chicken, shredded chicken, tuna, boiled eggs, chickpeas, or edamame can turn it into a more substantial meal.

Q: Is this salad keto-friendly?
It can be made lower-carb by using a low-carb sweetener instead of honey and checking the carbohydrate content of your yogurt and mayonnaise.