Cucumber Salad with Yogurt and Mint

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Something crazy has happened. I am sharing a recipe that isn’t baked. At all. Or even sweet. It is however what I’ve been craving for the last two weeks. So much so that I haven’t been able to think of anything else but this light and summery salad that is oh so delicious.

Andy and I ordered my Dad’s version of this a couple weeks ago when we were visiting Milwaukee and eating at his Middle Eastern restaurant Sababa. We ordered kabobs and a variety of small plates including this salad. Well, unfortunately for Andy I ate the entire plate. And then I ordered another one and had all that too. (And none of the other food we’d ordered.)

cucumbersalad

My Dad has been making a version of this salad for us as long as I can remember, but the version I had last week was particularly good. It’s fresh, full of flavor and really refreshing. I love it all on its own, but it’s also delicious on the side of say Chicken Kebob or a spicy Lamb Burger.

This is the first of  what will be weekly savory posts (assuming I still crave them.) I can’t possibly blog all about desserts when so many other delicious things have been happening in my kitchen. I hope you’re cool (as a cucumber,) with that. ;)

Cucumber Salad with Yogurt and Mint

Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients

  • 5 Persian cucumbers, quartered and sliced
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dried mint
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine all ingredients and toss to combine.
  2. Add salt and pepper to taste. (I like mine pretty salty.)

Notes

I like Persian cucumbers best because they don't require peeling, are seedless and are crunchy as can be. If you can't find them- use 2 1/2 cups chopped regular cucumbers. I used dried mint made from the mint in my Mom's garden, but if you can't find good dried mint, finely chopped fresh mint will work, (but I much prefer dried!)

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

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26 Comments

  1. I’m SO glad you decided to post this because, coincidentally enough, The.Boy’s mom sent three HUGE cucumbers home to us! Talk about perfect timing.

  2. I love this kind of sauce! I know it’s meant to go along with things, but I could totally eat it all by itself. Your salad looks awesome…I could see how it would be particularly refreshing in this hot weather!

  3. I’ve been craving this salad since you were here too! Your picture is beautiful! May I suggest to say a ‘small’ clove of garlic, however, in the recipe? Too big and the flavor will be overpowering in this delicate salad.

    1. I actually meant to specify “small” clove of garlic- thanks for reminding me- I’ll add it :)

  4. Mmmm I LOVE Persian food. This looks delicious! I love to put this just over plain white basmati rice. Soooo good. Definitely cool with the savory posts! :)

  5. This is always present on our table. We call it simply “mast oo khiar” (yogurt & cucumber).
    There is a great dried mint mix that has other ingredients including sumac and rose petals.
    I should mail some to you….. xo

  6. Your dad has a Middle-Eastern restaurant, that is AWESOME! I love cucumber salad…this would go so well on the side with chickpea burgers…actually who am I kidding, this would go well with anything!

  7. looks delish, my part Lebanese hubby will love this! esp with lamb! So awesome your dad has a restaurant, we love middle eastern food (husband grew up in Egypt). yum!!

  8. Hooray for savory posts, I’m all for switching it up sometimes :) This salad looks amazing – so creamy and refreshing!

  9. I don’t really like cucumbers, because of their too strong flavor, but this salad looks sooo refreshing, light and delicious…do you think any other vegetable would work well with this?!
    Btw, I’d love you to post more savory recipes! Can’t wait for your next posts :)

    xo, Elisa

  10. I LOVE cucumber salad. I grew up eating that. My mom used to make it all summer long. We’re not Middle Eastern so her version was basically cucumber and ranch dressing :/ However, I’ve classed things up a bit with my own version. I can’t wait to try your recipe!

  11. So happy to see you branching out into savory dishes, Audra! A girl’s gotta eat dinner after all, haha! :) This salad looks incredibly cool, refreshing and perfect for beating the heat. I love cucumber, mint and yogurt together – very Greek!

  12. This salad looks fantastic! I bet it’s so refreshing. It’s also refreshing to not always have it all about sweets ;) I always feel the need to break the sugar up with a little savory something every once and a whole. And there are even times when I decide to exit the baking realm all together so I can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve.

  13. Hi, I’m from Pakistan and we call this a raita over here – we make it ALL the time and it is of course delicious. Only our version doesn’t have sour cream or olive oil.

    1. Yes- I love raita! It’s so great how lots of different cultures have their own versions of this dish. I am a fan of all of them!

  14. This looks so delicious! I’ve been on a real cucumber kick lately, and I’m all over anything that reminds me of tzatziki. I could eat that by the carton (or gallon, or bathtub-sized-vat). Yum!

  15. Ok, obviously our Arab connection is shining through here… LOVE this salad, we have it all the time, too. I’ve never used sour cream with it though. Will try your Dad’s recipe this weekend when we have friends over for birthday mezze and drinks :)

  16. Hello,I am doing a Middle Eastern cooking class and I need a yogurt salad pic to show on my ppt, can I use your photo and still acknowledge you being the owner?
    Thanjs

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