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    You are Here: Masala Herb » Recipes » Salads

    German Cucumber Dill Salad (Gurkensalat)

    Sep 1, 2024 by Helene Dsouza

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    Helene Dsouza
    Creamy German Cucumber Dill Salad aka Gurkensalat. You can choose to slice your cucumbers fine (the way they do it in Germany) or to cut thicker slices to add crunch (the way I do it).
    Prep Time: 7 minutes minutes
    2 servings
    RECIPE
    German Cucumber Dill Salad (Gurkensalat)
    German Cucumber Dill Salad (Gurkensalat) pin picture

    5 Ingredient refreshing German Cucumber Dill Salad to serve as a salad side dish during the hotter months of the year.

    We call this salad Gurkensalat in German.

    German Cucumber Dill Salad (Gurkensalat) cover image
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    Jump to:
    • What is Gurkensalat?
    • Ingredients
    • How to make it?
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Variations
    • Tips
    • Serving
    • Storing
    • More Cucumber Salad Recipes
    • 💬 Comments

    What is Gurkensalat?

    Gurkensalat is a super popular summer salad in Germany, Austria and all the surrounding countries.

    It goes really well as a side dish at a cookout with grilled meats and roasted veggies.

    The word Gurkensalat itself means cucumber salad, Gurke is a cucumber in German.

    Ingredients

    • Cucumber
    • Dill fresh, chopped
    • Sour Cream thick creamy
    • Salt
    • Black Pepper Ground
    Cucumber growing in our garden
    Creamy Cucumber Salad Dressing

    How to make it?

    I use whatever cucumber I can get from my local grocery store. Seedless varieties are preferred.

    Step 1

    I lightly peel my washed cucumbers for the green peel border effect ( I eat with my eyes too).

    Step 2

    Then I simply cut my cucumbers into thick slices because I like the crunch.

    Germans use a manual vegetable slicer to cut the cucumbers thin. So, the traditional way is to cut your cucumbers into thin slices.

    Step 3

    For the dressing, I simply chop the fresh dill herb and mix it into the sour cream and seasoning.

    The cucumber salad dressing is poured over the cucumbers and I usually do that in advance and not just before serving because I want the cucumbers to take in the dressing flavors.

    📖 Recipe

    German Cucumber Dill Salad (Gurkensalat)

    German Cucumber Dill Salad [Gurkensalat]

    Creamy German Cucumber Dill Salad aka Gurkensalat. You can choose to slice your cucumbers fine (the way they do it in Germany) or to cut thicker slices to add crunch (the way I do it).
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: Austrian, German
    Prep Time: 7 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 51kcal
    Recipe by: Helene Dsouza

    Ingredients

    • 1 large Cucumber

    For the Dressing:

    • 1 ½ Tablespoon Dill fresh, chopped
    • 3 Tablespoon Sour Cream thick creamy
    • ⅛ Teaspoon Salt
    • ⅛ Teaspoon Black Pepper Ground

    Instructions

    • Rinse your cucumber well and peel. I semi peel mine to add a border effect to my slices when cut.
    • Use a vegetable slicer to cut thin slices of cucumber 9the way it's done in Germany) or cut into thicker slices with a knife (the way I like it).
    • Keep the cucumber slices in a bowl for a few minutes. Excess water will come out, which you can discard.
    • Mix your rinsed fresh chopped dill into the thick creamy sour cream with the salt and black pepper to create the dressing
    • Pour the dressing over the cucumber and mix.
    • Serve your cucumber dill sour cream salad cooled as a summer side dish with grilled meat or for lunch with schnitzel or steak.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    German Cucumber Dill Salad [Gurkensalat]
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 51 Calories from Fat 27
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 3g5%
    Saturated Fat 2g10%
    Cholesterol 9mg3%
    Sodium 162mg7%
    Potassium 215mg6%
    Carbohydrates 3g1%
    Sugar 2g2%
    Protein 1g2%
    Vitamin A 215IU4%
    Vitamin C 4.5mg5%
    Calcium 39mg4%
    Iron 0.3mg2%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Variations

    There are some of the more common variations of the German cucumber dill salad.

    You have the option here to make it the way YOU like it.

    • prepared with sour cream and Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, liquid whipping cream (yep they also use high-fat liquid whipping cream)
    • cut into super thin or fat slices
    • with chopped onion and garlic
    • with fresh or dried herbs — Dill is the most preferred choice or also chives, parsley to just name a few.
    • with the addition of salad oil and vinegar to the creamy ingredient.
    • with the choice of Cucumber varieties and with or without peel.

    I tend to prepare a cucumber salad with sour cream and dill. I think Austrian cucumber salad is usually prepared with liquid whipping cream, while south region sin Germany prepare it with sour cream.

    There are regional varieties of Gurkensalat in the German-speaking countries and neighboring countries such as Poland, Czechia and Slovakia.

    German Cucumber Salad

    Tips

    Leave the cucumber to sit for a while, that way excess waters will come out, which you can discard before adding the dressing

    Another idea is to let the sliced cucumbers drain with some sea salt. The sea salt will help in pulling excess liquids out of the cucumbers.

    Then you are left with not adding salt to the dressing.

    Keep in mind that the cucumbers will lose water, so if you don't want liquids but a creamy thicker dressing, simply add the dressing before you serve up the salad.

    The longer the cucumber slices sit in the dressing, the wetter the dressing will become.

    Cucumber Salad

    Serving

    This particular cucumber salad is served during the summer months. People love to serve it as a side when they sit outside for food or at a BBQ.

    It's quite refreshing!

    Traditionally in Germany, the cucumber with the dill salad dressing is served with cooked sweet water fish. I.e., pan-fried trout. Green dill herb and fish go hand in hand.

    In Austria, you will often see cucumber dill salad dressing served with Wiener Schnitzel, Parsley Butter Potatoes, and Lingonberry Jam.

    Storing

    If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container for up to 1 day. Cucumbers just don't keep too well once sliced.

    This salad can get super soggy the longer you keep it sitting in the fridge, so I recommend draining excess liquids.

    You can prep the salad in advance. For example, make it the evening before a lunch cookout. Keep it refrigerated.

    If you intend to make a larger batch for a BBQ get together or tailgating, I recommend keeping a smaller batch out and the rest in the fridge. Why, because this salad needs to remain fresh. You can always refill it the container with the cooled cucumber salad.

    More Cucumber Salad Recipes

    • Persian Shirazi Salad
    • Lemon Cucumber Mint Water
    • Dilled Cucumber Radish Salad by reneeskitchenadventures.com
    German Cucumber Dill Salad (Gurkensalat) pin picture
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    I am Helene, and I created Masala Herb in 2011. Here you will learn to cook with spices and herbs. I share from scratch, international food recipes and my mission is to teach you to cook flavorful food at home. Read More…

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    Welcome

    Hi there! I'm Helene and here you will learn how to cook with spices and herbs. Discover global food and learn to season your food like a pro. Read more about my work and mission or head over to my food ingredient space, Unknownbite.com, and our travel space, Paulmarina.com!

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