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Creamy and fresh with a bit of tang, this German Cucumber Salad brings back happy memories. Nothing says summer Sunday dinner at Grandma’s house quite like this old-fashioned salad.
German Cucumber Salad
In much the same way as this spicy cabbage slaw and the southwest inspired corn salad, German cucumber salad is a great choice for potlucks and barbecues. The salad will be even tastier after resting for a few hours in the fridge.
I typically make it in the morning or the night before I plan to serve it. To make this creamy cucumber salad with sour cream, you’ll add a bit of sugar and vinegar as well and then allow it to marinate for a while, resulting in a delicious tangy dressing.
To get the creamiest dressing possible, and avoid watering it down while the salad rests, there are a couple of things you can do. First, use English cucumbers, they are typically a bit firmer in texture. You don’t need to peel them, the skin helps keep a bit of crunch to the cucumber.
Second, salt and drain the cucumber to remove some of the liquid. Salt the cucumber slices and onions generously then spread onto a paper towel or tea towel for 30 minutes. Pat the top with a towel as well.
I like to slice the cucumbers about 1/4-inch thick for this salad. However, it’s fine to slice them thinner or use a mandolin to make ribbon-like strips.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this:
- English cucumbers
- red onion
- kosher salt
- sour cream
- white sugar
- white vinegar
- dried dill
- dried parsley
- paprika
I used dried dill and dried parsley from my pantry when photographing this recipe. Feel free to substitute and use fresh herbs if you have them on hand. Fresh dill will add great flavor to this salad.
German Cucumber Salad Recipe
Spread the cucumbers and onion on a paper towel-lined tray or platter; season generously with salt and let rest for 30 minutes.
Place another paper towel on top of the cucumbers and gently press excess moisture from the cucumbers.
In a large bowl, stir together the sour cream, sugar, vinegar, dill, parsley, and paprika. Add the cucumbers and onions and stir gently to mix throughout.
Cover with a lid or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight; garnish with a sprinkling of additional paprika before serving.
This purple cabbage slaw with carrots and raisins is another salad that reminds me of dinners at grandma’s house. With just a dab of butter and a sprinkling of brown sugar, you can make these old-fashioned Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots.
Dill Pickle Potato Salad boasts plenty of tart pickles mixed with a creamy dressing to make this potato salad unforgettable.
German Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2 large English cucumbers sliced thin, about 3 cups worth
- ½ small red onion sliced very thin, about ⅓ cup worth
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Spread cucumbers and onion on a paper towel-lined platter; season generously with salt and let rest for 30 minutes. Place another paper towel on top of the cucumbers and gently press excess moisture from the cucumbers.
- In a large bowl, stir together the sour cream, sugar, vinegar, dill, parsley, and paprika. Add the cucumbers and onions and stir gently to mix throughout.
- Cover with a lid or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight; garnish with a sprinkling of additional paprika before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
can this salad be preserved by canning? would live to enjoy it in the winter while preserving my garden cucumbers.
Hi, Julie! I haven’t tried canning this recipe before. I really don’t know how it would turn out.
just saw this recipe. going to make it for this Memorial Day dinner
I hope you love the salad, Virginia!
So yummy can’t wait to try…….!!
It is delicious!
Never had it with dill or paprika, but this was a staple when cucumbers came in season in the garden.
I can definitely understand why!
this looks very good please send me the website thank you