Vegetables & Sides Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Creamed Cucumbers
Tender sauteed cucumbers folded into a tangy sour cream and fresh dill sauce for a cool, savory side.
Contains common allergens
In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.
Instructions
5 steps- 1
Peel the cucumbers if they are waxed. Cut them in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon, then cut into 3/4-inch chunks.
- 2
If the cucumbers are not super-firm, place the chunks in a colander, sprinkle with the salt, shake to distribute, and let drain about 20 minutes. Rinse and pat dry. If already firm, skip the salting and proceed.
- 3
Melt the butter in a medium to large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes, taking care not to let it brown.
- 4
Add the cucumbers and cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes until just tender. Season with black pepper (and salt now if you did not salt them earlier).
- 5
Turn the heat to low and stir in the sour cream or yogurt along with a good handful of the dill. Stir until well blended, then serve garnished with the remaining dill.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
70/100
Good fit for most families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving140
Calories
2 g
Protein
9 g
Carbs
11 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
Creamed cucumbers are a Northern European and Midwestern American summer staple, born from German and Scandinavian immigrant kitchens that paired thin cucumber slices with a tangy sour cream or vinegar dressing. The dish was a way to use a glut of garden cucumbers in the hot months when no one wanted to cook. Its cool, slightly sweet-and-sour bite still reads as a refreshing counterpoint to grilled and roasted mains.
Listahan note
This version salts the cucumbers first to draw out water, so the dressing stays creamy and clings instead of turning watery in the bowl.
Technique cues
- Salt the sliced cucumbers and let them drain for at least twenty minutes, then squeeze gently, or the released water will dilute the dressing.
- Balance the sour cream with a little vinegar and sugar, since the trio of creamy, tangy, and sweet is what defines the dish.
- Dress the cucumbers shortly before serving so they stay crisp rather than slumping in the salt and acid.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- Whisk the dressing while the salted cucumbers drain so the two are ready to combine at once.
- Make-ahead
- Slice and salt the cucumbers a few hours ahead and keep the dressing separate, combining just before serving.
- Leftover move
- Drain off excess liquid and use leftovers as a tangy topping for grilled fish or sandwiches.
- Cleanup rhythm
- Rinse the salting colander and mixing bowl right away, since the job is quick and low-mess.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
Cucumbers
the star
Purpose: Their crisp, watery crunch is the whole point and the canvas for the dressing.
Handling: Slice thin and salt to draw out excess water before dressing.
Adaptation: English or Persian cucumbers need no peeling and have fewer seeds.
Sour cream
creamy dressing base
Purpose: It gives the dish its cool, tangy richness that coats each slice.
Handling: Whisk with the vinegar and sugar into a smooth dressing before tossing.
Adaptation: Greek yogurt is tangier and lighter, or a dairy-free sour cream for vegan.
White vinegar
acidity
Purpose: It brightens the cream and gives the dish its signature sharp edge.
Handling: Whisk into the sour cream a little at a time, tasting as you go.
Adaptation: Apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice both work with a slightly softer tang.
Fresh dill
herbal lift
Purpose: Its grassy, anise-like note is the classic herb that makes the dish taste finished.
Handling: Chop finely and fold in just before serving.
Adaptation: Fresh chives or a little tarragon offer a different but pleasant aroma.
Sugar
balancing sweetness
Purpose: A small amount rounds the vinegar so the dressing tastes balanced, not harsh.
Handling: Dissolve into the dressing before adding the cucumbers.
Adaptation: Honey or a pinch of any sweetener works the same way.
Technique notes
- Toss in paper-thin slices of sweet onion with the cucumbers for a traditional bite and extra crunch.
- A few cracks of black pepper and a final pinch of flaky salt at the table sharpen the whole dish.
- If serving later, keep it cold; the dish is at its best within a couple of hours of dressing.
Ingredient swaps
- Dairy-free option
- Use a dairy-free sour cream or a cashew cream base whisked with the vinegar and sugar.
- Lower-sugar direction
- Cut the sugar and let the natural sweetness of the onion and cream carry the balance.
- Lighter direction
- Swap the sour cream for plain Greek yogurt to cut fat while keeping the tang.
Serve alongside
- Grilled bratwurst or sausages
- Boiled new potatoes with butter
- Pan-seared salmon
- A crisp Riesling
- Cold lemonade
- Sparkling water with cucumber
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Refrigerate covered for up to two days, though the cucumbers soften and shed water over time.
- Drain off accumulated liquid before serving leftovers and refresh with a little more dill.
- This dish does not freeze; the cucumbers turn limp and watery when thawed.
Equipment
- A mandoline or sharp knife for thin even slices
- A colander for salting and draining the cucumbers
- A whisk and bowl for the dressing
Make this household-aware
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Plan it in Listahan
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