This cucumber onion salad brings back many memories of eating at Nana and Papa’s house. With a little alteration, Nana’s classic recipe now has 1/3 of the calories. Make a tradition in your house with this super simple, yet entirely satisfying salad. And you can enjoy it for just 150 calories.
Only having 4 main ingredients, this salad can be whipped up in no time at all. It’s great for weeknights that call for a quick meal, yet scrumptious enough to serve at a party. Thinly sliced cucumbers and white onions play the main roles in this re-done classic. The variation takes place in the dressing, lightening it up without you even knowing it.
The most amazing part about this salad is how it essentially makes itself. The salt in the dressing causes the cucumbers to release their juices, making the most delicious creamy cucumber dressing you’ve ever tasted. The simplicity is beautiful. If you try it, I urge you to not add anything extra the first time around. If too many flavors are added, the cucumber taste gets muted. Not saying that an occasional sprinkling of fresh dill wouldn’t be divine! An addition of some raisins and sunflower seeds would add a texture change and a bit of sweetness.
Making memories with food is a beautiful thing. There will never be a time that I eat a creamy cucumber onion salad without thinking of my Papa. And never would I ever consider preparing it in anything but a stainless steel bowl. After all, that’s what Nana always made it in. What’s even more amazing is that these nostalgic feelings are now being merged in with a new family memory.
Chris loves this salad. He’s taken it upon himself to name it, “gherkin salad”. (Gherkin is cucumber in German.) However, what’s hilarious is that he completely mispronounces it…actually, botches is better term. So, in our house, this salad will forever be called, “gluken salad”.
In my opinion, this recipe calls for a mandolin. You want to thinly, and evenly, slice the cucumbers and onions. Without it, the onion slices will likely be thicker and can become too overpowering. (By the way, avoid using yellow onions, they’re too strong of flavor.) The mandolin is, in my humble opinion, a kitchen must-have. The one I am fond of was a gift from Chris’ mom. A wonderful choice, it’s not overpriced and has lasted us years. It’s fittingly made in Germany and can be purchased on Amazon.
I hope you enjoy your gluken salad as much as we do. Be sure to pin or add to your yummly recipe box to save!
Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, plain (I use 2%)
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper, freshly ground
- 4 cups English Cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced (on a mandolin is preferred)
- 1/2 White onion, peeled and thinly sliced (on a mandolin is preferred)
- Mandolin
- In the bottom of a large bowl, mix together yogurt, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. This is the dressing.
- Place the thinly sliced peeled cucumber and onion over the dressing and mix well. (I like to place the mandolin right over the bowl to slice.)
- Taste for seasoning. A good amount of black pepper is great on this salad.
- Kcal 150 | Fat 14g | Sat Fat 2g | Chol 8mg | Sodium 423mg | Carb 4g | Fiber 1g | Sugar 2g | Protein 3g
Disclosure: Any links to outside products are affiliate links and I may be marginally compensated if purchased. Don’t worry though, I’d never promote something I dislike or wouldn’t purchase myself.
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