Quick and Tasty Homemade German Cucumber Salad

 

Quick and Tasty Homemade German Cucumber Salad

Quick and tasty German cucumber salad! It's made with crisp cucumber slices and onions in a creamy dill dressing. Prep time is just 15 minutes, and it's perfect for keeping in the fridge.

Chill and Creamy German Cucumber Salad 

This fresh and crunchy German cucumber salad, also known as gurkensalat, is a common dish in German homes. There are two popular versions: one with oil and vinegar (like a non-creamy cucumber salad) and today’s recipe, which has a cool and creamy sauce made from tangy sour cream and savory dill. It's great for summer but works well as a light side dish all year round with your favorite main courses.

Why You’ll Enjoy This Cucumber Salad 

It has a fresh, clean taste. The juicy cucumbers, tangy sour cream, and zesty dill create a bright and flavorful salad that's crisp and refreshing.

It's easy to make. This creamy German cucumber salad is simple to prepare, especially if you use a mandolin to slice the cucumbers. It's versatile. The neutral flavors make it a perfect match for various main dishes, whether you're serving it with grilled chicken or breaded pork chops.

Success Tips

For the best German cucumber salad, follow these last-minute tips:

Peel and deseed cucumbers if necessary. If you're not using English cucumbers, peel thicker ones and remove any seeds. Some cucumbers have thick, wax-coated skin, so use a vegetable peeler. If there are large seeds, cut out the middle part with the seeds. Use a slotted spoon when serving. The dressing may become runny over time, and using a slotted spoon helps keep excess liquid off your plate.

Customize This Salad

While delicious on its own, you can personalize this German cucumber salad:

Try cutting cucumbers into ribbons. Use a mandolin to slice them lengthwise into ribbons for a unique twist. Add cheese. Give it a Mediterranean touch with fresh feta or shaved parmesan. Blue cheese is also a good option. Include more veggies. Mix it up with sliced or grated carrots, radishes, or fennel. Experiment with different herbs. Dill is great, but feel free to use chives, mint, cilantro, garlic, or others. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to enhance the flavors.

Leftovers

Store any leftover German cucumber salad in the fridge for up to 2 days in a covered container. Avoid freezing, as the veggies and dressing won't hold up well.

Cool German Cucumber Salad

A simple and cool German cucumber salad with crunchy cucumber slices and onions in a creamy dill dressing.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 39kcal

Ingredients:

• 2 English cucumbers, thinly sliced (about 1 ½ pounds or 5 cups sliced)
• ½ small yellow or white onion, thinly sliced, optional (about ½ cup sliced)
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill (more for garnish if desired)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, vinegar, dill, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
2. Add sliced cucumbers and onions. Toss everything until the vegetables are coated evenly with the dressing.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the cucumber salad for at least 1 hour before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and enhances the taste.
4. Just before serving, stir the salad to redistribute the dressing.
5. Optional: Garnish the German cucumber salad with more chopped fresh dill.

Notes:

1. The dressing may become runnier over time due to cucumber water content, so it's suggested to serve with a slotted spoon.
2. Enjoy the salad chilled as a refreshing side dish with German sausages, schnitzel, pork dishes, or alongside hearty meals.
3. If you're not using English cucumbers, you might want to remove some cucumber seeds and peel them.