Creamy German Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and simple dish perfect for any occasion, offering a delightful side that complements a variety of main courses with its cool, creamy texture and bright flavors. This recipe is incredibly useful for those seeking a quick, crowd-pleasing accompaniment that requires minimal effort.
Key Ingredients for Creamy German Cucumber Salad
- 3 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt (full-fat recommended for creaminess)
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/4 cup red onion, very thinly sliced (optional, for a little bite)
How to Make Creamy German Cucumber Salad
This Creamy German Cucumber Salad recipe is a testament to simplicity, delivering an incredibly delicious and satisfying side dish in under 20 minutes. Its creamy sauce, made with sour cream and yogurt, coats the crisp cucumber slices beautifully, while the fresh dill adds a fragrant lift. It’s the perfect quick fix for a delightful culinary addition.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Cucumbers: Begin by peeling your cucumbers. You can choose to peel them completely or leave some strips of the peel for visual appeal. To remove the seeds, slice the cucumber in half lengthwise and use a spoon to gently scoop out the seedy core. Once peeled and seeded, slice the cucumbers thinly. Aim for slices that are about 1/8 inch thick. This ensures a pleasant texture and allows them to absorb the creamy dressing. Place the sliced cucumbers in a colander set over a bowl or in the sink. Sprinkle about half of the salt over the cucumber slices. Let them sit for at least 10-15 minutes. This salting process will draw out excess moisture from the cucumbers, preventing your salad from becoming watery and making it wonderfully crisp. After salting, gently pat the cucumber slices dry with paper towels to remove any remaining moisture.
Make the Dressing: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the sour cream and plain yogurt. Stir the two dairy components together until they are well incorporated and smooth. This forms the creamy base of your dressing. Add the finely chopped fresh dill to the sour cream and yogurt mixture. Stir in the white vinegar, which will provide a subtle tanginess to balance the richness of the dairy. Next, add the granulated sugar. The sugar helps to round out the flavors and cut through any potential sourness. Finally, season the dressing with the remaining salt and black pepper to your personal preference. Taste the dressing at this point and adjust the salt, sugar, or vinegar as needed until you achieve a balanced and delicious flavor profile that you enjoy.
Combine and Chill: Add the prepared and patted-dry cucumber slices to the bowl with the dressing. If you are using red onion, add it now as well. Gently toss everything together to ensure that all the cucumber slices are evenly coated with the creamy dressing and dill mixture. Be careful not to overmix, as this can bruise the cucumbers.
Chill and Serve: For the best flavor and texture, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the Creamy German Cucumber Salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together and the cucumbers to become even more crisp and refreshing. The longer it chills, the more the flavors will develop.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy German Cucumber Salad
You’ll adore this Creamy German Cucumber Salad because it’s an effortlessly elegant yet incredibly simple dish that bursts with refreshing flavors. Its starring role is the tender, crisp cucumber enveloped in a luscious, tangy dressing, a delightful contrast to the creamy, cooling sensation it provides. Making this at home is a fantastic cost-saving alternative to buying pre-made versions, using common, affordable ingredients to create something truly special. The fragrant fresh dill and the subtle tang of vinegar elevate it beyond a basic cucumber salad, making it reminiscent of a beloved classic yet uniquely inviting.
Unlike a vinaigrette-based cucumber salad which can sometimes feel too light, this rendition offers a satisfying richness without being heavy. It’s the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, hearty stews, or even as a light lunch on its own. The simple preparation time means you can whip it up for a weeknight dinner or a last-minute gathering with ease. Give this Creamy German Cucumber Salad a try today and let its delightful simplicity and vibrant taste impress you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Leftovers of this Creamy German Cucumber Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad typically stays fresh for 2-3 days. To maintain optimal texture and flavor, it’s best to consume it within this timeframe. Freezing is generally not recommended as the creamy dressing and cucumbers can become watery and lose their appealing texture upon thawing. If you wish to prepare ahead, you can slice the cucumbers and store them separately in the refrigerator, then mix them with the dressing just before serving for the crispiest results.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy German Cucumber Salad is a true testament to how simple ingredients can create something wonderfully satisfying and delicious. It’s a forgiving recipe, perfect for quick weeknight meals or impressive potluck dishes. We encourage you to give it a try and experience its refreshing charm!
Creamy German Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by peeling your cucumbers. You can choose to peel them completely or leave some strips of the peel for visual appeal. To remove the seeds, slice the cucumber in half lengthwise and use a spoon to gently scoop out the seedy core. Once peeled and seeded, slice the cucumbers thinly. Aim for slices that are about 1/8 inch thick. This ensures a pleasant texture and allows them to absorb the creamy dressing. Place the sliced cucumbers in a colander set over a bowl or in the sink. Sprinkle about half of the salt over the cucumber slices. Let them sit for at least 10-15 minutes. This salting process will draw out excess moisture from the cucumbers, preventing your salad from becoming watery and making it wonderfully crisp. After salting, gently pat the cucumber slices dry with paper towels to remove any remaining moisture.3 large cucumbers, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the sour cream and plain yogurt. Stir the two dairy components together until they are well incorporated and smooth. This forms the creamy base of your dressing. Add the finely chopped fresh dill to the sour cream and yogurt mixture. Stir in the white vinegar, which will provide a subtle tanginess to balance the richness of the dairy. Next, add the granulated sugar. The sugar helps to round out the flavors and cut through any potential sourness. Finally, season the dressing with the remaining salt and black pepper to your personal preference. Taste the dressing at this point and adjust the salt, sugar, or vinegar as needed until you achieve a balanced and delicious flavor profile that you enjoy.1 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons fresh dill, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Add the prepared and patted-dry cucumber slices to the bowl with the dressing. If you are using red onion, add it now as well. Gently toss everything together to ensure that all the cucumber slices are evenly coated with the creamy dressing and dill mixture. Be careful not to overmix, as this can bruise the cucumbers.3 large cucumbers, 1/4 cup red onion
- For the best flavor and texture, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the Creamy German Cucumber Salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together and the cucumbers to become even more crisp and refreshing. The longer it chills, the more the flavors will develop.