This Lebanese cucumber yogurt salad is made with a delicious plain yogurt and mint dressing. It's healthy, refreshing and a tasty Mediterranean side dish.
Summertime is my absolute favorite time of year! I's warm out, we aren't stuck inside and I believe it is the best time of year for seasonal food. One of those seasonal foods, that is easily grown in my area, is the cucumber.
Growing up, I wasn't a fan for some reason, but now that I am an adult you will catch me eating them.
I am going to share a family recipe with you today with creamy cucumbers and a yogurt mint dressing. This cucumber yogurt salad was at nearly every family function that I can remember, and we had it around the house very often during summertime. It is cool, crisp and refreshing. And for those of you who don't like dill, this is your recipe!
What is Lebanese Cucumber Yogurt Salad?
Lebanese cucumber yogurt salad is a creamy, refreshing and simple salad made with whole milk yogurt, cucumbers, and some simple spices. It is served cold either as a side dish, or as an accompaniment to other Lebanese meat dishes.
There are several different variations of the Middle Eastern cucumber salad, one very popular one is called Greek Tzatziki. However this Lebanese cucumber salad name is Khyar bi laban. It can be made as a stand alone side salad, by making the cucumbers into larger slices, or it can be used as a dip or spread, by cutting the cucumbers into small squares.
Either way is acceptable when eating this cucumber yogurt salad Lebanese style. I love to eat mine with larger slices during the hot summer months when cucumbers are in season.
How to make yogurt cucumber salad with mint
Start out by washing your cucumber and with a carrot peeler, peel the skin off so that it is striped. With a paring knife Cut the cucumber as thin as you want them and put them in a bowl.
I did tweak this recipe a bit. The original recipes does not call for onions, but I add some red onions. I love onions and I believe that they compliment this salad excellently.
Slice up the onions and add them to the bowl. Add the yogurt, mint, garlic and salt, give it a stir and it's all ready!
Should I use Greek yogurt for Mediterranean cucumber yogurt salad?
Just a note on yogurt. I use plain whole milk yogurt. I don't use Greek yogurt (although you could if you wanted) because I feel that it is too thick. If you do end up using Greek yogurt for this Lebanese cucumber salad, you may end up needing to thin it out by adding some milk.
What is a Lebanese cucumber?
Lebanese cucumbers tend to be a smaller and slightly variety of cucumbers that have small seeds. They are very similar to seedless English cucumbers and are used in Lebanese and Middle Easter recipes.
Do I need to use a Lebanese Cucumber variety for this yogurt cucumber salad?
While it is traditional to use the variety of Lebanese cucumbers for this Arabic cucumber salad, it is ok to use a normal cucumber or a seedless English cucumber as a substitute for Lebanese cucumbers.
refrigerate any leftovers. You will enjoy this one!
Check out these other popular recipes from A Pinch Of Adventure!
- Lebanese Stewed Green Beans
- Homemade Pita Bread
- Burrata Caprese Salad
- Lebanese Stuffed Squash
- Authentic Chicken Shawarma
📖 Recipe
Refreshing Cucumber Yogurt Salad
Ingredients
- 1 Cucumber
- ¼ Red Onion optional
- ⅓ cup Plain Whole Milk Yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dried Mint
- 1 teas Salt
- ¾ teas Garlic Powder
Instructions
- Peel and slice the cucumber into small rounds and put in a bowl
- Slice the red onion and add it to the bowl
- Add the yogurt and spices to the bowl and mix well
- Serve and enjoy. Refrigerate any leftovers
Roselyn Franke
Haven't tried yet, but sounds wonderful!
Sabrina DeWalt
As part of my effort to eat healthier, I have discovered the beauty of Mediterranean food. This recipe sound delicious.
Emily A
Thank you! I am Lebanese so you will have to check out some of my other recipes as well 🙂
Tiffany
Yum! We made this in the past with dill and sour cream - this sounds like a much lighter version!
Emily A
This one is great! Dill can be overpowering sometimes. But the mint is divine
Jordan
Thank you for this recipe. I love Mediterranean food and this looks so easy! I've recently started the keto diet, and I think this would fit too!
Emily A
Thank you! I am Lebanese and have a ton a really great recipes you should check out 🙂
Beth Shields
Love all of your ingredients - will have to make this soon. Always do the cucumber and onion with vinegar but using yogurt and then adding mint - this would be so refreshing. Thanks for your recipe. Pinned!
Jami McLamb
I love making this recipe with the brined cucumber and onions, gives it a nice twist! If I'm not making it with the cucumber and onions mixture then I always salt the fresh cut cucumbers first after de-seeding them so it isn't too liquidy afterwards, so fresh and delicious!
Adrienne
This really looks great. The cukes are finally testing so fresh and delicious, I can't wait to give this a try.
Katherine Wolfe
This sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Charlene
Easy & light for summer. Looks great!
Myrka
This looks really yummy! I love how there's mint in the recipe and looks very easy to make. I wonder if I could substitute the yogurt with a non-dairy yogurt? (I have to avoid dairy currently) If you know of one, let me know which one you recommend!
Emily A
I am sure you could substitute it with a non-dairy plain yogurt. I you want to avoid the yogurt altogether, check out my dressing here https://apinchofadventure.com/lebanese-tabbouleh-salad/ this dressing is also amazing on cucumber salad 🙂
Carrie Beaton
I love cucumbers and am always looking for new ways to prepare it! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Eva Keller
This looks like a great summer recipe!