Cucumber-Buttermilk Dressing

A light, fresh buttermilk dressing with grated cucumber, green onion, parsley, dill, Dijon mustard and lemon juice. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Naturally gluten-freeVegetarianMake-ahead

Contains: milk. Based on the ingredients as written; check package labels, which can change.

From the recipe book of Sandra Mills, a Le Cordon Bleu-trained cook in our family.

Jar of cucumber buttermilk dressing with dill beside a green salad
  • Prep 10 min
  • Total 10 min
  • Yield About 1 1/2 cups

Updated

Jump to: Ingredients | Instructions | Tips | Questions | Print recipe

This cucumber-buttermilk dressing from Sandra Mills's recipe book is the lightest of the creamy dressings here. There is no mayonnaise; buttermilk carries grated cucumber, minced green onion, fresh parsley and a little dill.

Dijon mustard and lemon juice sharpen it. It is lovely on crisp greens and tomatoes and especially good with fish and seafood, such as a salad served alongside salmon.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons minced green onions
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1/4 cup grated cucumber
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

New to an ingredient? See Buttermilk in our kitchen glossary.

Instructions

  1. Combine. Place all of the ingredients in a bowl or a small jar with a tight lid.
  2. Stir or shake. Stir or shake well until the mustard is fully blended.
  3. Refrigerate. Cover and refrigerate. Stir or shake again before serving.

Gluten-freeVegetarian

Tips

  • Squeeze the grated cucumber gently in a paper towel so the dressing does not get watery.
  • An English cucumber has thin skin and small seeds and does not need peeling.
  • Add salt to taste at serving time; buttermilk and mustard bring some saltiness already.

Questions about this recipe

How long does cucumber buttermilk dressing keep?
It is best within 3 to 4 days. The cucumber releases water over time; stir before serving.
Is this dressing low in fat?
It is much lighter than mayonnaise-based dressings because buttermilk is its only creamy ingredient.
What does cucumber dressing go with?
Green salads, tomato salads, grilled fish and chicken, and as a sauce for salmon.

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