dinner recipes

Creamy German Cucumber Salad

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When summer cucumbers are abundant and overflowing, you’ll want to make this German cucumber salad recipe ALL. THE. TIME. It’s delicious with just about anything (try with with grilled shrimp, drumsticks, or steaks), but the classic creamy cucumber salad comes together in just 10 minutes prep and is made with just a handful of ingredients. It’s definitely a summer staple with familiar flavors and the perfect balance of sweet, tart, salty, and creamy.

If you’re in the midst of summer garden meals, be sure to try my watermelon and feta salad, best tomato toast, or Greek potato salad next time.

creamy cucumber salad in a bowl

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

What You’ll Love About German Cucumber Salad

  • Classic summer salad
  • Great way to use up cucumbers from the garden
  • Refreshing side dish
  • Can easily be made-ahead
  • Perfect side dish that can go with so many meals
  • Just 10 minutes prep time
  • Made with just 7 ingredients
German cucumber salad in a bowl

Ingredients

  • Cucumber – Use whatever type of cucumber is plentiful! It’s great with garden fresh cucumbers. English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers work well as they have a thinner skin so you don’t need , but regular cucumbers will also work well and are more traditional.
  • Salt – Just a regular sea salt works well in this salad.
  • White onion – I prefer the white onion, but you could also use yellow or even red onion. My photographer actually said that she has always seen it made with red onion (or purple onion) so it may vary regionally as well.
  • Sugar – Just a touch of white granulated sugar works well to impart a slight sweetness to the refreshing summer salad. You could also use a granulated sugar alternative if you prefer.
  • White vinegar – This gives classic flavor, but you could also use apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or champagne vinegar for a twist.
  • Dill – I’ve used dried dill weed, but you could also use fresh dill. Use two teaspoons fresh dill.
  • Sour cream – I recommend full-fat sour cream, but any variety will work, so use your favorite. You can also use plain Greek yogurt.
Ingredients to make creamy cucumber salad recipe

How to Make German Cucumber Salad

This is an overview on how to make creamy German cucumber salad, the detailed instructions can be found below in the recipe card.

Prep ingredients. Peel cucumber and thinly slice cucumbers and onion with mandoline slicer so you get paper-thin slices. Sprinkle cucumbers with salt and let sit. Gently squeeze out any excess moisture from cucumbers.
salted cucumbers on sheet pan
Mix dill dressing. In a large bowl, whisk sugar, vinegar, and dlil together.
Dill and vinegar dressing for cucumber salad
Mix dressing. Add in sour cream and gently whisk until combined so it doesn’t get too frothy.
Sour cream added into creamy cucumber salad
Mix salad. Gently fold in cucumber slices and raw onions in with the vinegar dressing, just until mixed. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or a couple of hours until serving.
Bowl with cucumber and creamy dressing

FAQs

Where did German salad originate from?

This traditional recipe, Gurkensalat, which translates to cucumber salad, is thought to have originated in Germany and other regions in Central Europe (Polish cucumber salad is a similar dish). Cucumber salads became popular, especially as a simple side dish in warmer months in the 18th and 19th century, eventually making its way over to the United States, where it is now found in many grocery stores across the country.

What is German salad made of?

This creamy cucumber salad recipe is a creamy mixture of thinly sliced cucumbers and onions in a creamy dressing made with sour cream, vinegar, sugar, and dill.

How do you keep cucumber salad from getting soggy?

This salad holds up well, but to ensure the cucumbers don’t get too soggy, we will draw some of the water out before dressing it. Sprinkling some salt over the sliced cucumbers will add flavor, but will also pull out excess liquid. After they soak, you’ll gently squeeze the cucumbers to get any remaining excess liquid out before tossing them with the dressing.

Is German sour cream cucumber salad healthy?

Well I say everything is healthy. 🙂 Some foods are more nutritious than others, but all food serves a purpose. This delicious cucumber salad offers produce and a few carbs, produce. OH, and FLAVOR. So I would say, yes, it’s incredibly delicious AND nutritious.

German cucumber salad recipe in a bowl with spoon

Storage Instructions

Store leftover creamy cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.

How to prep ahead

This salad stores well and gets better with a little time in the fridge, so it’s perfect to make a few hours ahead or even the night before.

What to Serve with Creamy Cucumber Salad

This recipe for German cucumber salad is a perfect side dish for so many main dishes:

How to Feed German Cucumber Salad to the Whole Family

I get it, feeding kids can be tough! But following the Division of Responsibility and knowing your job and your child’s job makes it SO much more enjoyable. You’ll be able to feed your kids any meal, which will help ensure that they are eating a variety of nutritious foods – with plenty of play food sprinkled in.

I would recommend serving a tiny portion of cucumber salad in a pinch bowl (taster bowl) if it’s a new or learning-to-like it food. Serve the meal with a few items you know your kids will eat, like fruit, milk, and/or bread and butter.

Want More?

Follow Emily on Instagram or TikTok for family dinner recipe videos and tips for feeding kids.

Close up of creamy cucumber salad in a bowl

More Summer Salads

If you like this traditional German cucumber salad, you might also like some of these other summer salads:

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creamy cucumber salad in a bowl

Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

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Description

Easy and classic, this creamy German cucumber salad recipe is the perfect side dish to so many mains. Great with summer cucumbers.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 large cucumber (34 cups thinly sliced)
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced white onion
  • 1 Tbsp. sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. white vinegar
  • 1 tsp. dried dill
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions

  1. Peel cucumber with a vegetable peeler, leaving some thinner green strips. Use mandoline to thinly slice cucumber and onion. Sprinkle sliced cucumbers with salt and let sit for 15 minutes. Discard any liquid and gently squeeze cucumbers.
    salted cucumbers on sheet pan
  2. Meanwhile, whisk sugar, vinegar, and dill together in a medium mixing bowl.

    Dill and vinegar dressing for cucumber salad

  3. Add in sour cream and gently whisk so the mixture doesn’t get frothy.
    Sour cream added into creamy cucumber salad
  4. Gently fold cucumbers and onion into sour cream mixture, just until mixed. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. 
    Bowl with cucumber and creamy dressing

Notes

  • Use a mandoline slicer so the cucumber and onion are cut really thin.

Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.

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