This Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad is a staple summer salad in my house and the perfect way to showcase in-season fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden (or the produce aisle). The dressing is just sour cream, mayonnaise, and pressed garlic, but it’s seriously delicious. You’ll love this crunchy, creamy, fresh salad!

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Helpful Reader Review
“All of the best ingredients in this salad. This has become our go-to for summer, and my kids love the creamy dressing. Thank you!” – Natalie ★★★★★
Creamy Cucumber and Tomato Salad
My sisters and I loved to eat this Ukrainian cucumber tomato salad growing up, since my mom made it all the time, and now, so do I. It takes just a few minutes to prepare and pairs really well with Roasted Potatoes, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes and just about anything (see more serving ideas below).
This salad always reminds me of the time my Mom asked me to babysit over 30-something tomato plants, along with cucumbers and melons in a portable greenhouse. Well, you can imagine my horror when gusty wind knocked it over, and I had to scramble to save her beloved plants (and our entire family’s organic vegetable supply for the season). We replanted them the best we could and even though they initially looked rather limp, after some TLC and a few desperate prayers, I’m happy to report all but two of the tomato plants survived. Phew!
Funny though, the cucumbers and melons looked the same, so when they got planted in the garden, there were some cucumbers springing up with the melons.
Anyway, I think about that story every time I chop up the veggies for this salad. There’s nothing like showcasing the fruits of our labor from the garden, like in our Panzanella Salad, Caprese, or Strawberry Salad recipes. So, when tomatoes and cucumbers are in season–you have to try this creamy salad!

Ingredients
With a few pantry staples, it’s easy to make this salad with vegetables from the garden, a farmers market, or the produce section of the grocery store. I included some variations below that we’ve enjoyed over the years.
- Tomatoes – any kind of tomatoes will work, from beef steak to cherry tomatoes. Cut up large fruit into bite-sized pieces.
- Cucumbers– cut these in half lengthwise and then chop. You can use English cucumbers or smaller garden cucumbers. It’s best to pick cucumbers while they are about 6-8″ long so there aren’t too many seeds. Again, any variety will do, but if it has a waxy exterior, you will want to peel it.
- Onion – thinly slice 1/2 of a medium onion. I use yellow onions, but you can use red or white.
- Garlic – press the clove or smash it to evenly distribute it in the dressing. I wouldn’t hold it against you if you up it to 2 cloves if you love garlic.
- Creamy dressing – sour cream, mayonnaise, pepper, and salt.
Substitutions and Variations
- Herbs – add some fresh dill, fresh basil, parsley, or even red pepper flakes
- Veggies – add or substitute sliced radishes, green peppers, or red onion
- Sour Cream – try Greek yogurt instead and omit the mayo for a healthier dressing
- Mayo – substitute with more sour cream, or substitute smashed avocado

How to Make Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad
There’s no fuss when making my cucumber, tomato, and onion salad. Just chop, mix the dressing, and toss for the perfect lunch or side dish.
- Cut the vegetables – Chop all the veggies into bite-sized pieces and place in a medium bowl.

- Make the dressing – Mix the dressing ingredients in a separate bowl.

- Mix – Pour the dressing onto the veggies and toss until coated. Taste and add salt just before serving.

Pro Tip:
Wait to add the salt just before serving because it will draw the water out of the vegetables, making the dressing thinner and less creamy over time.
Serve With
This is one of my go-to summer salads since it has that fresh-from-the-garden taste, and the creamy dressing is so refreshing! Try it with these favorite summer entrees:
- Hamburgers or Smash Burgers
- Lobster Tails
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Carnitas recipe
- Popcorn Chicken
- Grilled Steak, or Beef Kabobs
- Lamb Chops

Growing up, my mother’s creamy cucumber and tomato salad was the epitome of farm-to-table eating. You’ll love the fresh veggies coated in cool, creamy dressing because it’s the perfect side dish for a summer meal. Grab some ripe veggies, and serve this delicious salad in minutes!
Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad

Ingredients
- 3 medium tomatoes
- 1 English cucumber, or 3-4 small cucumbers
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1 large garlic clove
- 4 Tbsp sour cream
- 1 Tbsp mayonnaise, optional
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Cut the veggies – 3 tomatoes into 1" pieces, cut cucumbers in half and slice and thinly slice 1/2 of the onion. Combine all of the prepared vegetables in a medium bowl.
- Make the dressing – In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Mix the dressing into the vegetables. Add salt to taste just before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
Can I Make Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad Ahead?
Sour cream-based salad recipes like this cucumber tomato salad are best enjoyed just after making, since the veggies release water after they are salted and cause the dressing to thin. Add salt just before serving the salad.
More Summer Salad Recipes
Fresh veggies and summer heat just go together, so I love serving veggie dishes, like this creamy cucumber tomato salad, all summer long. Here are a few more of my go-to summer salads:
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Tomato Burrata Salad
- Avocado Corn Salad
- Chicken Mango Avocado Salad
- Maroulosalata Greek Lettuce Salad
- Greek Chicken Bowls
- Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad
This is one of my favorite salad.
One thing that I am not adding to that salad is mayo. I only making this salad with sour cream. OH and I love to eat this salad with mashed potato…
We grew up eating this salad with mashed potatoes, a great combination 😀.
I guess it is Ukrainian style eating this salad with mashed potato.
You are right. Mayo is no-no. I did grow up in Odessa. The recipe is:
Tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, sour cream and salt. That is it !!!
Have a great day!
Inna
Could you make this the night before?
Hi Julie, this one is really best fresh. I gets too soft and juicy if made ahead.
Yo I made this salad on weds eve for break the fast for when we would come home from synagogue I didn’t add onions pr garlic but I used some fresh dill which is a very Russian thing made it with mayo and sour cream a little salt pepper and garlic powder and wow it came out really very yummmm
That’s great Tzivia 😀. Reading your comment is making me hungry!
Ditto Natasha it sure was then go on make some darlin lol btw happy blessed Easter cheers
Thank you and happy and blessed Easter to you also! 🙂
Everything looks so fresh and beautiful. My husband is Ukrainian lol but doesn’t like onions or peppers or anything like it. I love to entertain so I get to still get to make all those nice beautiful salads that you show. I’d love to join your website and get your updates on your new things. Everything looks so nice and fresh. And pretty simple.
Thank you Sheryl, welcome to the site and feel free to subscribe to the latest recipes by clicking here :).
Looks healthy and easy for a senior. You are my new COOK and I will enjoy…
Helen you’re so nice. Thank you! 🙂
Thank you so much. Can you send a recipe for pasta tuna salad thank you for sharing.
Vs
You’re very welcome! I’ll start brainstorming 🙂
This is the recipe my grandmother, who is part Danish used to make. 1 bag shell macaroni, 1 head lettuce, 1 bag frozen green peas, 1 can tuna, drained , mayonnaise or Miracle whip(grandma used miracle whip) to moisten the salad. Cook the macaroni shells in boiling salted water. Add the green peas one minute before it is done. Drain and cool under cold running water.Drain again. Wash and shred the lettuce.Spin dry. Put the macaroni, shredded lettuce, and drained tuna in a bowl. Mix well and add mayonnaise until creamy, about 1/2 cup. Add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until dinner time. When I make it, to cut down on the fat content, I usually make it with 1/4 cup mayo and 1/4 cup yogurt.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Elyse!
now i want the salad, I don’t like the mayo, so I omit it, the best and easy salad ever, my 8 year old makes it all the time, thanks for such great recipes
It is still really good with just the sour cream. I’m so happy you like it. It sounds like you have a little chef on your hands! 🙂
My favorite salad! We also make it with Olive oil instead of the mayo & sour cream 😉 makes it more fresh & juicy 😉 yum!
Hmmmm that sounds healthier too! Thanks for the tip! Do you add anything else into it?
We make it with olive oil instead of mayo and sour cream, too. I like adding my favorite herbs, like parsley and dill. Best herbs are fresh, of course, but dry herbs work, too; especially out of season. To make it a meal, I often add a can of garbanzo peas.
Growing up, my family referred to this salad as simply “Salat,” since we made it almost every day. However, making this salad with cheap store-bought tomatoes and cucumbers is a waste of time (I know I don’t have to convince you, Natasha!). If you don’t have access to fresh vegetables, at least buy vine-ripened tomatoes. I always smell tomatoes if I have to buy them from the store.
I can’t wait to try your version, Natasha. It looks scrumptious, thank you!
I love your idea of adding garbanzo beans! That’s a great way to add protein!!
What a fantastic story! You are so sweet! I always enjoy reading your little introductions. Will be making this salad soon!
Thank you Oksana :). Let me know how it turns out.
Hi,
I love this salad.I have been eating it since childhood but sadly this year I had to stop.My holistic healer says no tomatoes and no diary.I am told it is unhealthy for me. Now I just eat cucumbers.Have a great day.
hi Natasha! i came around your website, and i love it! thank you
Thank you so much for this recipe! I am completely in love with the cream, it’s so exquisite and authentic. Btw, I have found your site about a week ago, and I love all the different recipes for the russian/Ukraine food. Thank you so much for putting your time and effort into putting down all the recipes and even showing step by step pictures-they have helped me a lot. God bless 🙂
We are hosting an orphan from Ukraine in our home for a month and tonight his chaperone came over for dinner. I served this salad and they both said it was wonderful and very authentic. We loved it too and I will be making it again as well as looking around your site for more recipes. Thank you.
That’s awesome! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Wonderful salad! Thank you for sharing this easy, delicious recipe!
this is identical to the salad my Baba used to make for us! she used kraft creamy cucumber dressing, but i can never find it, this dressing was perfect. thank you!
I haven’t tried that dressing, but I’m glad you tried it and liked it 🙂
I used olive oil and balsamic vinegar instead of the mayo or sour cream/
love this salad! along with white onion I also add green onions and dill.. it gives the salad a very fresh taste!
you are awsome!
Oh, its nice to be called “awesome” once in awhile 🙂 I’ll try the green onion an dill next time. We make this salad regularly.
Yum! Tomato and cucumber salad is a true Russian and Ukrainian classic. I posted a similar recipe on my site in July:
Our tomatoes are finally ripening (the first cucumbers came in about a month ago) and we can now make this salad from homegrown ingredients!
Hi Irina, thanks for the link, I will add dill next time I make this salad. I always have a tub of dill in the freezer. We make this salad pretty much daily with all the fresh cucumbers and tomatoes from my moms yard.
Wow, this looks better than what I used to make. I always ended up with lots of fluid. I guess I don’t need to use vegetable oil. Thanks for the recipe.
I go easy on the salt. Salt makes the tomatoes juice out.
This salad brings me memories, my Baba and Aunt always made this for us when we were small…..I’ll be making this myself as we have lots of tomatoes and cucmbers in the backyard. Thanks you for sharing. 🙂 Irina
I was hoping it would bring back memories for someone. It’s a classic – enjoy!
beautiful salad
thanks
val
Your welcome!! I just checked out your site. Wish I spoke and could read your language. Your recipe for Cake au chèvre et tomates confites looks soo good!