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. 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 may 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
- 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 2 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
I eat a similar salad. But I cut the vegetables smaller especially the onion. Add dill or green onion tops. I don’t use mayonaise because the taste is too pungent, but I always dress my salads with sour cream. In a pinch, sweet cream works too.
The cuisine is probably not American because I’ve not seen the using cream in salad. They always use oil/vinegar or mayonaise.
Thank you for sharing, Jason!
This is just excellent. I’ll be making it for our Happy Hour. I added a tbsp of fresh dill…Makes it pop… Thanks for this.
Thanks for sharing, Joseph. Happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe!
OOOPS, how FAR in advance can I make ahead? Sounds to me like the creamy, and the acid of the tomato will marinate really well. Thoughts?
This one is really best right after it is mixed. Once salt touches the cucumber and tomato, they start to soften and get juicy, which makes this not ideal for a make-ahead recipe.
Thanks for posting.
I’ve made this for years with a couple of additions…
Add juice of 1/2 medium lemon, red chili peppers, touch of white sugar, & top with poppy seeds…
Just my take but super easy, fresh, great recipe. Ty
Sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Hi there….I lovevthis recipe, and I would definitely do it. Thanks for sharing. R. E.
You’re so welcome, Rosa. Good to know that you liked this recipe. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Very tasty. Thank you.
This was amazing and it’s the perfect side dish for any meal. Light and fresh.
Highly recommended
Love it! Thanks for your recommendation, Kimberly!
This is my new favourite dish to get some freshness in my meals this winter. Easier than a regular salad and I do really prefer the creaminess of this one with just a couple ingredients. I’ve added garlic and a couple other minor things to change it up. Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Lyn! I’m so glad you enjoyed that.
Loved this salad refreshing flavor even my picky husband liked it
That’s so great, Sylvia! Thank you for that great feedback!
My son took an interest in gardening this year and grew cucumbers. This is what I made with his very first cucumber. Delicious! We also grew tomatoes and I made my own sour cream.
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Nicole. I’m all smiles!
Can I use Miracle Whip instead of Mayo? Would I have to omit sour cream? Thanks
Hi Jeanne, I honestly haven’t tried this with miracle whip – it has a certain flavor to it so if you prefer miracle whip, you might test a small batch of the salad, adding miracle whip to it. I just haven’t tried that combo to be able to recommend it.
How many servings per recipe?
Hi Dennis, the serving sizes are listed on all of the recipe cards which are located towards the bottom of the post 🙂
Yummy and so fresh! I added feta cheese and mint.
I’m glad you enjoy the recipe Sally! Those additions sound delicious, I’ll have to try that. Thanks for sharing!
During these difficult times, I’m out of fresh garlic, ca, I used garlic that comes in jar if I pat them dry?
Hi Trudy, I imagine that should work. If you experiment please let me know how you like that.
Can’t this be made a day ahead of time? Just wondering if it would get watery.
Hi Tracy, this one is really best right after it is mixed. Once salt touches the cucumber and tomato, they start to soften and get juicy, which makes this not ideal for a make-ahead recipe.
Great sounding recipe. I plan to add some jar packed tuna to make it a full meal with some crusty bread.
Make one similar to this…..I never added mayo but I’m going to next time and being Ukrainian……we must add dill…..for sure. I would probably add more garlic….my family loves garlic!
I hope you like the recipe Sally, please let me know what you think!
This is what my mom made since I was little. We are Russian. Now we use only vegenaise as a dressing. The salad is always eaten in one day, lol.
I’m glad to hear how much you enjoy the recipe Marina! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Natasha,
thank you for the recipes that my beloved Polish grandmother baked and cooked. She used to make this salad all summer long and taught my mother (who was an awesome cook too) how to make. You’re wonderful!
My pleasure Judith! I’m glad to hear the recipes bring back fond memories! 🙂
This is a new favorite side for me and my hubby. Thank you so much for sharing such a tasty recipe!!!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you both love the recipe!
Five Stars!!! Sometimes the simplest recipes are the absolute best! This salad is so delicious and takes only 5-10 minutes to make, including the dressing. Don’t eat it if unless you are staying home for the evening … the garlic is pretty strong. After my initial try, I used less onion the second time around. It is absolutely delicious.
I’m glad you enjoy the recipe Pat! Thanks so much for sharing your fantastic review! 🙂
I added dill and feta, love it!
Yum, that sounds great Caryn! Thanks for sharing your review!