You’ll love this cucumber salad with yogurt, and I can tell you a hundred reasons to have it and many more hundred combinations of cucumber salad. I came across this salad on my journey to Iraq and I just fell in love with it. The secret to this salad is rich and creamy Greek yogurt and fresh crisp cucumbers. This is also called Lebanese cucumber salad.
While many people choose leafy green for a veggie base, my favorite is always cucumber.
Why? Cucumber is
- refreshing
- hydrating
- rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Why do I prefer yogurt dressing?
A yogurt dressing is rich in
- Calcium
- Low fat
- Filling
- Healthy
Variation in Cucumber yogurt salad
This is a rich salad and tastes great in its classic version as mentioned in the recipe card. But, if you like to play with ingredients. Try adding a chopped apple or grapes. You can also add roasted peanut, salad leaves, like romaine or iceberg.
What to eat with this salad?
The cucumber salad makes a cooling and healthy summer lunch. Besides, this salad makes a great side with any south Asian, Indian or Arabic food like kababs and mandi or sajji, biryani, karahi and so on.
What is Greek yogurt?
The greek yogurt is simply thick yogurt. When liquid whey is separated from regular yogurt, The resulting thick yogurt is commonly called greek yogurt. Read more about greek yogurt benefits here.
You can make greek yogurt at home by straining off the whey water from regular yogurt. To do this spread a clean cheesecloth (or any thin cloth) over a colander. Also, place a bowl under the colander. Pour 1/2 kg (500 grams) yogurt over the cheesecloth. Now, bring the edges of cheesecloth together and tie it with a string. Let the liquid whey drain in the bowl. You can place a heavy bowl over the yogurt bag to speed up the straining process. The yogurt would be thick after one hour. Greek yogurt is ready to use.
How many calories in Cucumber yogurt salad?
The cucumber salad is rich in potassium, calcium, and fiber. And you get only 50 calories from 1 cup of this salad. A great choice for weight watchers.
How to make Cucumber Yogurt Salad?
Only peeling and dicing of cucumber require some time. Rest of the steps are just putting all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. I’m using mint leaves here, you can use dill or parsley too or just skip the herbs.
Garlic powder tastes best in the salad, but you may use garlic paste. I’ve tried this salad number of times with all variations.
Like I also tried it with cream. The salad tastes great on its own and cream is just extra calories, so no need to add it. Keep it simple, no superfluous seasoning or spices required. Few ingredients are the beauty of this salad.
Love salads? Me too! Check these delicious salads.
- Potato salad with yogurt
- Corn Pasta Cucumber Salad
- Spinach Corn Salad
- Dahi Phulki Salad
- Tang Salad
- Hummus
- Kachumber
Cucumber Yogurt Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cucumber, 500 grams, skinned and diced to small cubes.
- 1 cup Greek yogurt, ( or make thick yogurt by hanging yogurt in cheesecloth for 1 hour, see notes)
- 2 tablespoons chopped mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder, or ½ teaspoon garlic paste
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Serve chilled.
Notes
To do this spread a clean cheesecloth (or any thin cloth) over a colander. Also, place a bowl under the colander. Pour 1/2 kg (500 grams) yogurt over the cheesecloth. Now, bring the edges of cheesecloth together and tie it with a string. Let the liquid whey drain in the bowl. You can place a heavy bowl over the yogurt bag to speed up the straining process.
The yogurt would be thick after one hour. Greek yogurt is ready to use.
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