Cucumber Salad with Crème fraiche (Concombre à la Crème)

Looking for a refreshing summer side dish? Try this French cucumber salad with crème fraîche, also known as Concombre à la Crème. This classic French recipe combines thinly sliced cucumber with tangy shallots, chopped herbs like chives and dill, and a smooth, creamy dressing made with crème fraîche and lemon juice. Light, creamy, and packed with fresh herbs, this easy cucumber salad is perfect for hot days, picnics and potlucks.

French cucumber salad with crème fraîche – a cool, creamy summer favorite

This French cucumber salad is one of my go-to recipes when the weather turns warm. It’s the kind of dish I crave on hot summer days—or when I need a quick, refreshing side that doesn’t require much fuss. Light, crisp, and creamy, it’s a staple at French barbecues, picnics, and potlucks for good reason.

At its heart, it’s a simple chilled cucumber salad. Thinly sliced cucumbers are tossed with fresh herbs and a pinch of seasoning—but what really sets it apart is the crème fraîche. That’s the French twist. Rich, tangy and ultra-creamy, crème fraîche gives this salad a velvety texture and depth that yogurt-based dressings just can’t match. It coats the cucumbers beautifully without breaking down or getting watery, which means the salad stays fresh and satisfying even after sitting for a bit.

This is one of those effortless recipes that feels a little fancy, but comes together in minutes. It’s perfect alongside grilled meats, crusty bread, or even on its own as a light lunch.

Every time I make it, I’m reminded why French home cooking is so effortlessly elegant—and why this cucumber salad has earned a permanent spot in my warm-weather rotation. Enjoy!

Ingredients you’ll need for this French cucumber salad recipe

• Cucumber. You’ll need one large and crisp cucumber for this recipe. I recommend an English or Persian cucumber which have a thinner skin and fewer seeds. Both varieties are readily available in grocery stores in the Spring and Summer. Choose a firm, vibrant green cucumber.
• Shallot. Tangy, crisp diced shallot to bring a nice tang and crunch. Shallots are traditional in this French recipe, but you can opt for half of a red onion as well.
• Fresh herbs. Chopped dill and a generous handful of chives brings all the freshness to this salad.
• Dressing. The juice from ½ a lemon and crème fraiche make this simple, yet delicious salad dressing.
• Seasoning. Salt and black pepper are simple seasonings for this salad. Don’t be afraid to have a generous hand on the salt. Cucumbers taste truly livens with salt!

How to make this Cucumber Salad recipe

1. Prepare the cucumber: Wash and slice the cucumber thinly. I recommend using a mandolin for ease but you can do it with a very sharp knife too.
2. Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cucumber slices with finely chopped shallots, lemon juice, herbs and seasonings.
3. Add crème fraîche: Fold in the crème fraiche.
4. Chill and serve: Let the salad sit in the fridge for at least 10–15 minutes before serving for the best flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepare this cucumber salad ahead?

You can put all the ingredients together (except the crème fraiche) and store it in the fridge, covered. When ready to serve, stir in the crème fraiche and let the salad sit in the fridge for 15 minutes.

What’s the best cucumber variety for this recipe?

Use fresh, firm cucumbers such as English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers. They have fewer seeds and a crisp bite, perfect for this salad. Both varieties have a thin skin, so they don’t need to be peeled. I recommend this article if you’d like to know more about English and Persian cucumbers. 

I don’t recommend using American cucumbers, which are shorter and wider than English cucumbers. They have a thicker skin that tastes more bitter and they contain more seeds in the center, meaning thin slices don’t hold very well.

Can I substitute sour cream or yogurt for crème fraiche ?

I don’t recommend it. The creaminess and tanginess of the crème fraiche makes this salad! 

What can I serve with cucumber salad?

This French cucumber salad is a great side dish for grilled chicken, steak or roasted fish. You can serve it during BBQs or bring it for a potluck or a picnic.

Cooking notes

• Chives and dill are traditionally used in this French-style Cucumber Salad. You can get creative and try and add some parsley or fresh tarragon if you feel like it.
• My Cucumber Salad recipe is on the lighter side, and I usually use only ¼ cup of crème fraiche for 1 cucumber. You can use up to 1/3 cup of crème fraiche if you yearn for a creamier salad.

More French Salad recipes to try: 

• Classic French Lentil Salad
• French-Style Potato and Green Bean Salad
• Classic French Celery Root Remoulade
• Grated Carrot Salad
• Frisée Salad with Bacon, Egg and Croutons (Salade Lyonnaise)
• Pickled Herring and Potato Salad (Harengs Marinés Pommes à l’Huile)
• Classic French-Style Potato Salad
• French-Style Couscous Salad (Taboulé)
• Authentic Niçoise Salad

French Cucumber Salad with Crème fraiche (Concombre à la Crème)

Print Recipe

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 4.8/5

( 5 voted )

Ingredients

1 large cucumber
1 small shallot, peeled and diced
1 tbsp chopped fresh chive
3 tbsp chopped fresh dill
½ lemon, juiced
¼ cup (about 70g) of crème fraiche
½ tsp coarse sea salt
½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1.  Using a mandolin or a very sharp knife, cut the cucumber in very thin slices. Transfer into a large bowl.
2. Add the diced shallot, chopped chive, chopped fill, the juice of ½ lemon, salt and black pepper.
3. Just before serving, add the crème fraiche and gently mix to coat the cucumber. Taste and adjust seasonings (salt, black pepper) if needed.