Creamy Cabbage Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream and Dill

Half a cabbage and one cucumber turn into the creamiest, crunchiest side dish you will make all week, and it costs less than a coffee. This cabbage cucumber salad is the answer when you want something fresh, fast, and cheap on the table without turning on the stove.

Cabbage is one of the most affordable vegetables in any market, and it stretches a long way, so a single head feeds you for days. It is also loaded with vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber, which keeps you full without weighing you down.

Cucumber brings hydration and crunch for almost nothing per serving, while a spoon of sour cream and a handful of fresh dill tie it all together into something that tastes far more expensive than it is. This is everyday Mediterranean-style eating at its smartest: simple, seasonal, and built around cheap whole vegetables.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It costs next to nothing. Cabbage and cucumber are two of the cheapest vegetables you can buy, and a little sour cream goes a long way.
• It comes together in 15 minutes. No cooking, no fuss. Slice, fold, chill, done.
• It is genuinely good for you. High in fiber and vitamin C, light on calories, and naturally low in carbs.
• It gets better as it sits. The flavors deepen in the fridge, so it doubles as a make-ahead side.

Fabian’s Budget & Health Tip: Swap half the sour cream for plain Greek yogurt. You cut the fat, double the protein, and keep every bit of that creamy tang. It also stretches your sour cream tub across more meals, so you spend less over the month.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

• 1/4 small green cabbage, about 9 oz / 250 g
• 1 small cucumber, about 5 oz / 150 g
• 1/3 cup / 80 g sour cream
• 2 tablespoons / 6 g fresh dill, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon / 15 ml fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon / 3 g salt, plus more to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

Shred the Cabbage

🔪 Lay your cabbage quarter flat on the board and slice it into the thinnest ribbons you can. Aim for shreds so fine they almost look like confetti. The thinner you cut, the more tender and crunchy the salad feels in your mouth. Pile the ribbons into a large bowl.

Slice the Cucumber

🥒 Cut the cucumber into thin half-moons. Listen for that crisp, clean snap as your knife goes through. Each slice should be thin enough to bend slightly but thick enough to hold its crunch. Add them to the cabbage.

Make the Creamy Dressing

🥣 In a small bowl, spoon in the sour cream. Squeeze in the lemon juice and watch the cream loosen and turn glossy. Scatter in the bright green dill and the salt. Stir until it smells fresh and herby, with that little zing of lemon coming through.

Fold It All Together

🥄 Pour the dressing over the vegetables. Fold gently from the bottom up, turning the bowl as you go, until every ribbon of cabbage glistens with cream. You will see the whole bowl turn pale and silky in under a minute.

Chill and Serve

❄️ Cover the bowl and slide it into the fridge for at least 15 minutes. The cabbage softens just slightly, the dill perfumes the whole thing, and the flavors marry into something far greater than the sum of its parts. Taste, add a pinch more salt if it needs it, and serve cold.

Expert Troubleshooting & FAQs

What if my salad turns watery?

Cabbage and cucumber both release water as they sit. If you are making it ahead, salt the sliced vegetables, let them rest for 10 minutes, then squeeze out the liquid before adding the dressing. Your salad stays creamy instead of soupy.

Can I make this without sour cream?

Yes. Plain Greek yogurt works beautifully and adds protein. For a dairy-free version, use an unsweetened plant-based yogurt and add an extra squeeze of lemon to keep that tangy edge.

How long does it keep in the fridge?

It stays good for up to 2 days in a sealed container. The cabbage will soften over time, so it is at its crunchiest on day one. Give it a quick stir before serving again.

Estimated Nutritional Facts

Per serving, based on 2 servings.

• Calories: 110
• Protein: 3 g
• Carbs: 9 g
• Fats: 7 g

Values are estimates and will vary with your exact ingredients and brands.