It starts with a Trader Joe’s dressing.
Key Points
- This 3-ingredient cucumber salad is quick, healthy and perfect for no-cook summer dinners.
- Trader Joe’s Vegan Creamy Dill Dressing adds flavor without added sugar or saturated fat.
- Pair this refreshing side with grilled mains to keep your kitchen cool during heatwaves.
In the middle of the treacherous August heatwaves, no-cook dinners become a necessity—and when you’re hosting, prioritizing recipes that can keep the oven off is ideal.
That leads me to spotlight a veggie side dish that I’ve been loving this summer. Just a couple of months ago, one of my best friends, Ang, hosted me for dinner at her new apartment. We enjoyed a bunch of prepared vegetarian bites, with one cucumber dish totally stealing the show.
Imagine my surprise when I found out this herbaceous, refreshing side just takes three simple ingredients to prepare (and takes mere minutes to whip up).
All you need is sliced cucumbers (peeled or unpeeled, depending on personal preference), crumbled feta cheese and Trader Joe’s Vegan Creamy Dill Dressing. I’ve made this recipe with just one cucumber for two servings, but it’s easy to double—or triple! All you have to do is add your sliced cucumbers to a bowl, pour in some of the TJ’s dressing until the cucumbers are evenly coated to your liking and, to top it off, add some feta cheese for a fresh, cheesy and vibrant bite.
Unlike many bottled salad dressings, the Trader Joe’s dill dressing has zero added sugar and saturated fat, making it a healthy way to dress this veggie side. But if you don’t have a TJ’s nearby, you can enjoy a similar flavor profile by following our Gurkensalat (German Cucumber Salad). It uses a simple, homemade dressing featuring cider vinegar, fresh dill, light sour cream and low-fat strained (Greek-style) yogurt, seasoned with salt and pepper.
Safe to say, I made this easy cucumber salad multiple times this season already, and I’m not stopping any time soon. It’s great to pair with a skillet main or a grilled spread to avoid making the house too warm, like these Mojito-Marinated Chicken Kebabs you can make outside or on a grill pan.
For more no-cook cucumber recipes, try these highly-rated dishes that will help use up your summer veggie stash: