This easy-to-make Cucumber Radish Salad is light, crunchy, and refreshing — perfect for spring and summer. It combines crisp mini cucumbers, peppery radishes, and fresh chives tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. Ready in just 10 minutes, this salad is a quick, flavorful side dish that pairs well with grilled meats, fish, or vegetarian meals.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 6 mini cucumbers, sliced

• 2 bunches radishes, sliced

• ¼ cup minced chives

• ¼ cup sour cream

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (can be light)

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Add cucumbers, radishes, and chives to a large salad bowl.

2. In a small bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.

3. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss well to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutrients (per serving, approx.)

• Calories: 46 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 2 g

• Protein: 1 g

• Fat: 4 g

• Saturated Fat: 2 g

• Fiber: 0.2 g

• Sugar: 1 g

• Sodium: 187 mg

Freshness and Texture: The Core of the Salad

The magic of this salad lies in its use of fresh vegetables that provide an exciting interplay of textures and flavors. Mini cucumbers, with their delicate skin and crisp bite, offer a cool and hydrating element. Their natural mild sweetness softens the sharpness of the radishes, creating a harmonious base. Radishes, on the other hand, bring a spicy, peppery note that invigorates the palate and adds complexity. Their vibrant red and white hues also contribute visually, making the dish as colorful as it is tasty.

Fresh chives lend an aromatic green accent that elevates the overall flavor without overwhelming it. Their mild onion-like flavor adds subtle depth and ties together the sweetness of the cucumbers and the heat of the radishes. This thoughtful balance of ingredients ensures that every forkful is refreshing and satisfying.

Creamy Tangy Dressing: Enhancing without Overpowering

The dressing plays a crucial role in unifying the salad’s components while providing a luscious texture and tangy brightness. Combining sour cream and mayonnaise creates a creamy base that clings perfectly to each vegetable slice. The sour cream lends a slight tartness that cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise, preventing the dressing from feeling heavy or overly dense.

Lemon juice adds a fresh citrus zing that lifts the entire salad, giving it a lively edge that feels clean and invigorating. The simple seasoning of salt and freshly ground black pepper rounds out the flavors, enhancing the natural qualities of the vegetables and dairy without overshadowing them. This dressing is light enough to keep the salad feeling fresh and crisp, while rich enough to make it satisfying.

Health Benefits and Nutritional Insights

This salad is not only delicious but also nutritious, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious eaters. The primary vegetables, cucumbers and radishes, are low in calories and carbohydrates, contributing to the salad’s overall lightness. Both vegetables provide hydration, vitamins, and antioxidants, supporting skin health, digestion, and immune function.

Cucumbers are known for their high water content and supply vitamins such as K and C, which are essential for bone health and immune defense. Radishes bring fiber and vitamin C, as well as natural compounds that may support liver function and detoxification. The fresh chives contribute small amounts of vitamins A and K along with antioxidants.

The sour cream and mayonnaise, while adding fat and calories, also provide essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins that aid in nutrient absorption. Used in moderation, these ingredients help create a balanced dish that combines macronutrients effectively.

Versatility and Pairings

One of the appealing aspects of this cucumber radish salad is its versatility. It pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes, making it a reliable side that can complement numerous cuisines. It’s an excellent match for grilled proteins such as chicken, pork, or beef, as the crisp salad helps balance the richness and savory flavors of the meat.

Seafood dishes also benefit from the refreshing qualities of the salad, especially those featuring grilled or baked fish where a light accompaniment is preferred. Vegetarian meals, including grain bowls, roasted vegetables, or hearty legumes, can also be brightened by this salad’s crisp texture and tangy dressing.

Because it is ready so quickly, the salad is an ideal choice for picnics, barbecues, or potlucks. Its ability to be served immediately after tossing makes it convenient for last-minute preparations without compromising on freshness or flavor.

Preparation Tips and Variations

To get the most out of this salad, it’s important to slice the cucumbers and radishes thinly to achieve the ideal crunch and ease of eating. Using mini cucumbers is beneficial because they tend to be less watery and have a sweeter, more delicate flavor compared to larger varieties.

For those who prefer a lighter dressing, substituting light mayonnaise or using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream can reduce calories while maintaining creaminess. Additional herbs like dill or mint can be introduced for variation, imparting different aromatic qualities.

Adjusting the acidity is another simple way to tailor the salad; a splash of apple cider vinegar or a zest of lemon peel can intensify the tanginess for those who enjoy a more pronounced citrus note. For a touch of heat, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or freshly ground white pepper can be added.

The Salad’s Role in a Balanced Diet

This salad fits well into many dietary patterns, including vegetarian, low-carb, and calorie-conscious diets. Its low sugar and calorie content make it ideal for those monitoring energy intake, while the fiber and fresh vegetables promote fullness and digestive health.

Incorporating this salad into meals adds valuable micronutrients and antioxidants that contribute to overall well-being. Its balance of fat from the dressing and carbohydrates from the vegetables ensures a gentle energy boost without heaviness, making it a particularly good option for warm weather when lighter meals are preferred.

Conclusion

The Cucumber Radish Salad is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can come together to create a dish that is greater than the sum of its parts. Its combination of crisp mini cucumbers, spicy radishes, and fresh chives tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing delivers a refreshing burst of flavor and texture that enhances any meal.

Quick and easy to prepare, it is a versatile side dish that complements a wide array of main courses, from grilled meats to vegetarian fare. Nutritionally balanced and visually appealing, this salad embodies the spirit of fresh, healthy eating without sacrificing taste or satisfaction.