A light and creamy summer side dish
This Creamy Cucumber Radish Salad is one of my favorite summer side dishes when the weather turns warm. Crisp cucumber, lightly spicy radish, and rich hard-boiled eggs are tossed in a light and creamy dressing that pairs well with just about everything you're grilling this summer.
The light dressing relies on Greek yogurt for the majority of its creaminess and is balanced with a kick of Dijon mustard, fresh dill, and tangy vinegar. If (like me) you also tend to keep hard-boiled eggs in the fridge for quick meals, there's a fairly decent chance you may not even need to turn the stove on to make this dish. You can't beat that on a warm night!
How to help prevent soggy cucumbers
Did you know that cucumbers are approximately 96% water? It's true! As such, cucumber salads are notorious for turning soft and soggy. The good news is, there is a few things you can do to help prevent your cucumbers from turning soggy as quickly -- and they're super simple!
How to prep + disgorge excess liquid from your cucumbers:
- If you use English cucumbers, as suggested in the recipe, there's no need to remove the outer skin first, however, if you use a traditional garden cucumber that has a thicker skin you'll want to peel the skin off first.
- Slice the cucumber in half length-wise. Using a spoon, scoop the seeds out in a downward motion, then slice the cucumber width-wise into half-moons.
- Place a sieve over the top of a mixing bowl, ensuring that there is at least 1-inch or more space between the bottom of the sieve and the bottom of the bowl. Add the cucumbers to the sieve and toss with Kosher salt -- for this recipe, 1 teaspoon is plenty. The salt works to (disgorge) draw out the excess water from the cucumber flesh.
- Let the salted cucumbers rest for 15-20 minutes, tossing once or twice to make sure that all the excess liquid drains through the sieve. There should be plenty of liquid at the bottom of the mixing bowl in the end, which you can discard. The cucumbers will likely look wet and glossy at this point so take a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel and gently damp dry the excess moisture on their flesh.
What should I serve this Creamy Cucumber Radish Salad with?
This cucumber radish salad makes a tremendous side dish for so many main courses. Some of my favorite dinners to pair it with are:
- Greek Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce
- Mediterranean Turkey Burgers
- Crab Club Sandwich
- Grilled Chicken Wings with Chipotle Peach BBQ Sauce
- Pressure-Cooker Boneless Beef Ribs
- Crispy Oven-Fried Fish
- Grilled Skirt Steak with Avocado Chimichurri Sauce
What tools do I need to make this recipe?
- A cutting board
- A chef's knife
- A large mixing bowl
- A large sieve
- A kitchen scale - OR - measuring cups (for less accurate measurements)
- Measuring spoons
- 2 wooden spoons (to toss and serve)
- A mandoline (nice to have to slice the radishes but not essential)
- An egg slicer (nice to have but not essential)
Are you looking to upgrade to your cooking tools or replenish your pantry? Check out my kitchen tools shop page and pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.
Looking for more dinner inspiration?
Love this recipe? Here are some additional side dishes that you might enjoy!
- Crunchy Greek Salad with Avocado and Feta
- Creamy Dijon Dill Potato Salad
- Smashed Potatoes with Avocado Chimichurri Sauce
- Strawberry Peach Summer Salad with Basil Walnut Pesto
- Horseradish Dill Slaw
- Spicy Cabbage Slaw
A note for special diets
This Creamy Cucumber Radish Salad can easily be made friendly for grain-free, gluten-free, Keto, and Low-FODMAP diets. For Low-FODMAP diets, you'll want to select a lactose-free yogurt in place of traditional Greek yogurt.
Print
Creamy Cucumber Radish Salad
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Inactive Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Sides
- Method: No-Cook, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Russian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Creamy Cucumber Radish Salad is one of my favorite summer side dishes when the weather turns warm. Crisp cucumber, lightly spicy radish, and rich hard-boiled eggs are tossed in a light and creamy dressing that pairs well with just about everything you're grilling this summer.
Ingredients
- 2 large English cucumbers (about 4 cups or 500 g)
- 1 tsp Kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 150 g (about ½ cup) Greek yogurt (use lactose-free if Low-FODMAP)
- 2 tbsp mayo
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp white wine vinegar or Champagne vinegar (can also use traditional distilled white vinegar if you prefer it tangier)
- cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 bunch radishes, topped and thingly slices (about 1 ½ cups or 180 g once prepped)
- 3 hard-boiled eggs, sliced into discs
Instructions
Prep and disgorge the excess liquid from the cucumbers:
- If you use English cucumbers, as suggested in the recipe, there's no need to remove the outer skin first, however, if you use a traditional garden cucumber that has a thicker skin you'll want to peel the skin off first.
- Slice the cucumber in half length-wise. Using a spoon, scoop the seeds out in a downward motion, then slice the cucumber width-wise into half-moons.
- Place a sieve over the top of a mixing bowl, ensuring that there is at least 1-inch or more space between the bottom of the sieve and the bottom of the bowl. Add the cucumbers to the sieve and toss with Kosher salt -- for this recipe, 1 teaspoon is plenty. The salt works to (disgorge) draw out the excess water from the cucumber flesh.
- Let the salted cucumbers rest for 15-20 minutes, tossing once or twice to make sure that all the excess liquid drains through the sieve. There should be plenty of liquid at the bottom of the mixing bowl in the end, which you can discard. The cucumbers will likely look wet and glossy at this point so take a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel and gently damp dry the excess moisture on their flesh.
Assembling the salad
- In a large mixing bowl, add the yogurt, mayo, dill, Dijon mustard, vinegar and a few cracks of black pepper to taste. Mix to combine fully.
- Add the cucumber and radish and gently toss to combine. Then add the hard-boiled eggs and gently toss again. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust as needed. Serve cold. The remainder can be stored in the refrigerator through the second day, however, the cucumber will continue to release liquid so I find this salad is best the first day.
Notes
Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 307 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 113 mg
Veena Azmanov says
That looks so creamy and delicious. I love creamy salad dressing. The cucumber and radish sound like a wonderful combination. I can't wait to try this one soon. Sounds yum
Claudia Lamascolo says
what delicious and refreshing salad. I love radishes and eat them in every salad I make. This will go at the top of my list of must makes!
Jyothi (Jo) says
Oh yes, cucumbers and radish in creamy sauce sounds just perfect. It sure is a great summer salad and I wont mind having this salad any time of the year.
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
What a great salad! This looks and sounds delightful! I'm sure the Portland farmers markets are amazing!
Gloria says
We often have cucumber salad. So easy and refreshing and the perfect side for any meal. Great salad for bbq parties.
Michele says
This cucumber and radish salad looks wonderful! Love that you included instructions to prepare the cucumbers not to get soggy. What a great summer salad!
Chelsey says
Love farmers markets! Portland has the best. This salad looks so unique and refreshing! I don't cook with radishes enough, I'll definitely have to give this a try!
Veronika's Kitchen says
This is the best salad for the summer! Light, refreshing, and super delicious! Will make it tonight for dinner!)
Nicoletta Sugarlovespices says
Radishes are great, as are boiled eggs and the dressing with yogurt/mayo. Love this salad, but I would need to replace the cucumbers which I really cannot stand. Any idea what I can replace them with? Thanks!
Whip & Wander says
I would consider swapping them out with seeded and sliced tomatoes.
Kim @ Berly's Kitchen says
My husband LOVES cucumber salad! We normally use tomatoes, but radishes would give the salad a different flavor profile. Sounds great, and we'll have to give them a try the next time we make a salad!
Jessica Pinney says
I've got some cucumbers ready for harvest in my garden right now and this looks like a perfect way to use them! Looks very refreshing.
Elaine says
That is interesting that you said it because I keep hard-boiledd eggs in the fridge as well. I've never used them in a salad like this though so I have another one to make at one of these warm nights 😉
Holly says
Oh wow - what a delicious salad! I love that you added hard boiled eggs for some protein. I can't wait to try this!
Catherine @ To & Fro Fam says
This summer I haven't gone to the farmer's markets nearly enough. Thanks for the reminder to get my rear in gear and take advantage of the season's amazing produce!
Dominique | Perchance to Cook says
I love love love this! The tangy radish really balances out the calm cucumber and the yogurt sauce fits perfectly. I need to try this!!
Veena Azmanov says
I love adding radishes in my salad too. I think it's a very neglected vegetable. My kids can't stand it unless I chop them real find and add them to the salad. This looks so creamy and delicious. Saving for later.
Jessie says
Yum this looks so good, saving for my next BBQ!
Kelly Anthony says
I don't typically crave radishes but this salad has got me wanting them! Looks yummy 🙂
Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat says
This looks like a perfect salad for me! I am a huge fan of radishes and I love the combination of ingredients! The yogurt and dill sounds amazing together. And I learned something new about prepping the cucumbers! 🙂
Shashi at SavorySpin says
Yay for no more soggy cucumbers! This look like such a delicious and refreshing salad!