If you are looking for a light recipe to beat up the summer heat, look no further this cucumber mint yogurt salad is a good idea to serve as a healthy snack or a side dish to accompany your main course such as stuffed chicken or musakhan.
This traditional cucumber mint yogurt salad also known in Arabic as khyar bi laban comes with a handful of ingredients, it is a healthy side dish that the whole family will love and it only takes 10-15 minutes to prepare.
It can be a perfect side dish for a summer cookout, during this time of the year and a great addition to spicy dishes.
Growing up my mother often made this salad during summer to beat up the heat days, and in particular when the main dish consists of rice such as maqlubeh. This salad is a light and refreshing dish that helps to beat the summer heat and is a refreshing and delightful simple salad that everyone can enjoy.
This creamy cucumber salad recipe has different variations and is similar to Greek tzatziki or Indian raita.
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Equipment
Medium Bowl - for mixing all the ingredients.
Grater - an easy and great way to use shredded cucumbers.
Cutting Board - use a cutting board if you prefer chopped cucumbers or have them as thin slices style.
Small Utility Whisk - to mix yogurt with all ingredients.
Ingredients
Full ingredients, measurements, and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Yogurt: whole milk plain yogurt is the perfect ingredient for this dish, plain Greek yogurt works well with this recipe.
Cucumbers: I prefer to use Persian cucumbers, which are considered crunchy and have fewer seeds. Seedless English cucumbers can also be used.
Garlic: Adding fresh garlic, gives an additional flavor to the salad.
Fresh mint: A small amount of mint goes a long way with this salad, I prefer fresh mint but dried mint can also be used if fresh is not available.
Sea Salt: which has less sodium
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: drizzle on the top of the salad (optional).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Wash, peel and grate or chop cucumbers.
Step 2: In a bowl add two tablespoons of water to yogurt and stir until it's creamy.
Step 3: Add chopped/grated cucumbers, salt, crushed garlic, and chopped mint over yogurt.
Step 4: Mix everything until the cucumber is evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
Variations and Pro Tips
- If the yogurt is a creamy style you can skip adding water and just whisk well with a small hand whisker.
- If you prefer not to use fresh garlic you can skip garlic altogether or use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Fresh dill can be used in addition to mint or as an alternative.
- Large cucumbers can be used, I recommend cutting the cucumber in half lengthwise and scooping out the seeds using a spoon, then grating or chopping the cucumbers.
Storage
This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days without garlic and 2 days if it has garlic.
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Cucumber-Yogurt Salad سلطة خيار باللبن
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing cucumber mint yogurt salad recipe, that includes a handful of ingredients, perfect as a side dish or a light and healthy snack.
Ingredients
- 2 small cucumbers grated.
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons of water to add to yogurt if yogurt is very thick
- 1-2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1 clove crushed garlic.
- Sea salt
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (optional)
Instructions
- Peel cucumbers and grate or cut into small cubes.
- Mix yogurt with water until it’s more creamy.
- Chop mint leaves
- Mix everything until the cucumber is evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
Notes
- If the yogurt is a creamy style you can skip adding water and just whisk well with a small hand whisker.
- If you prefer not to use fresh garlic you can skip garlic altogether or use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Fresh dill can be used in addition to mint or as an alternative.
- Large cucumbers can be used, I recommend cutting the cucumber in half lengthwise and scooping out the seeds using a spoon, then grating or chopping the cucumbers.
Lama says
So refreshing, thanks for the recipe.
Wafa Shami says
You are welcome!
Val says
Wonderful! Paired with your Musakhan recipe beautifully.
Wafa Shami says
Awesome -:)
Elizabeth White Vidarte says
Delicious and simple! Thank you!
Wafa Shami says
You're welcome Elizabeth, yes it is. Enjoy!
Marie B. says
So delicious and easy.. I can’t believe I’ve been buying this premade at the store. It went so well on the falafel recipe on your site.
Wafa Shami says
Hi Marie, I'm so glad to hear that, nothing better than the homemade right-:)