Why You’ll Love Cucumber Yogurt Salad Recipe Recipe
Khyar bi Laban combines simple ingredients to create a creamy, crisp, and flavorful salad without requiring any cooking. The cucumbers provide a refreshing crunch, while yogurt creates a cool and tangy base.
Fresh mint and lemon juice brighten the salad, and garlic adds just enough savory flavor to balance the mild yogurt and cucumber. Since everything comes together in one bowl, preparation and cleanup are quick and easy.
Another advantage of this recipe is its versatility. It works as a salad, side dish, or cooling accompaniment to richly seasoned foods. You can also adjust the garlic, mint, lemon, and salt to suit your taste.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 cup finely diced Persian cucumbers, or English/hothouse cucumbers
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh mint leaves, or 2 teaspoons crushed dried mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling on top
For the best texture, use thick, creamy plain yogurt and crisp cucumbers. Persian cucumbers are particularly convenient because they have tender skins and small seeds, but English cucumbers are an excellent substitute.
Directions
- Place the plain yogurt, finely diced cucumbers, crushed garlic, mint, fresh lemon juice, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Stir everything together until the cucumber, garlic, and mint are evenly distributed throughout the yogurt.
- Taste the salad and add a little more salt or lemon juice if desired.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate until you are ready to serve. Chilling gives the flavors time to blend and keeps the salad refreshing.
- When ready to serve, spoon the cucumber yogurt salad into a shallow serving bowl.
- Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil over the top and serve chilled.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes approximately 5 servings.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 0 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
The salad can be served immediately, but allowing it to chill briefly before serving can help the garlic, mint, cucumber, and yogurt flavors come together.
Variations
For a thicker and richer cucumber yogurt salad, substitute Greek yogurt for regular plain yogurt. If the yogurt is particularly thick, a small splash of cold water can be stirred in until the desired consistency is reached.
You can increase the fresh mint for a stronger herbal flavor or add other fresh herbs such as parsley or dill. Dried mint also works well when fresh mint is unavailable.
For extra tanginess, add another small squeeze of fresh lemon juice. If you enjoy garlic, an additional crushed clove can create a stronger savory flavor, while using just one clove will make the salad milder.
For additional texture, leave the cucumbers slightly larger instead of finely dicing them. You can also garnish the finished salad with extra chopped mint or cucumber before serving.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover Khyar bi Laban in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best enjoyed within 2 to 3 days for optimal freshness and texture.
The cucumbers naturally release moisture as they sit, so the salad may become slightly thinner during storage. Simply stir it well before serving again. If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can lightly drain excess liquid from the diced cucumbers before adding them to the yogurt.
This cucumber yogurt salad should remain refrigerated and is best served cold. Reheating is not recommended because warming yogurt can change its texture and the salad is intended to be a refreshing chilled dish.
Freezing is also not recommended. Both yogurt and cucumbers can undergo significant texture changes after freezing and thawing, resulting in a watery or separated salad.
FAQs
What is Khyar bi Laban?
Khyar bi Laban is a Middle Eastern cucumber and yogurt salad. It typically combines plain yogurt, fresh cucumber, garlic, mint, and salt, with variations sometimes including lemon juice and olive oil. It is traditionally served chilled as a refreshing accompaniment to a meal.
What type of cucumber is best for cucumber yogurt salad?
Persian cucumbers work especially well because they are crisp, have tender skins, and contain relatively few large seeds. English or hothouse cucumbers are another excellent choice. If using a cucumber with a thick or tough skin, peeling it first can improve the salad’s texture.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of plain yogurt?
Yes. Greek yogurt creates a thicker and creamier Khyar bi Laban. Depending on its consistency, you may want to add a small amount of cold water to loosen the salad.
Can I use dried mint instead of fresh mint?
Yes. For this recipe, 2 teaspoons of crushed dried mint can replace 2 tablespoons of minced fresh mint. Dried mint has a concentrated flavor, so a smaller amount is needed.
Should I peel the cucumbers?
Persian and English cucumbers generally do not need to be peeled because their skins are relatively thin and tender. Cucumbers with thicker or more bitter skins can be partially or completely peeled before dicing.
Why did my cucumber yogurt salad become watery?
Cucumbers contain a significant amount of water and gradually release moisture after they are cut and mixed with yogurt. For a thicker salad, lightly salt and drain the diced cucumbers before mixing them with the remaining ingredients, or use thick Greek yogurt.
How long should Khyar bi Laban chill before serving?
You can serve it immediately, but chilling it for about 20 to 30 minutes gives the ingredients more time to blend and makes the salad especially refreshing. If you are short on time, using already-chilled yogurt and cucumbers works well.
What can I serve with cucumber yogurt salad?
Khyar bi Laban pairs particularly well with grilled chicken, lamb, beef kebabs, rice dishes, roasted vegetables, pita bread, and other Middle Eastern or Mediterranean-style dishes. Its cool, tangy flavor provides a pleasant contrast to warm or heavily seasoned foods.
Can I make cucumber yogurt salad ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare it several hours before serving and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Stir the salad before serving because some liquid may separate from the yogurt or cucumbers as it sits.
Can I make Khyar bi Laban without garlic?
Yes. Although garlic provides a traditional savory element, it can be reduced or omitted if you prefer a milder salad. The yogurt, cucumber, mint, lemon, and olive oil will still produce a fresh and flavorful dish.
Conclusion
Cucumber Yogurt Salad, or Khyar bi Laban, is an easy way to add something cool and refreshing to the table. Crisp cucumbers, creamy yogurt, aromatic mint, garlic, and fresh lemon juice create a balanced combination of tangy, savory, and herbal flavors.
With only 10 minutes of preparation and no cooking required, this recipe is particularly convenient for quick lunches, family dinners, and warm-weather meals. Finish it with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, serve it well chilled, and pair it with your favorite grilled meats, rice dishes, vegetables, or pita bread.
