German Cucumber Salad

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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 is a refreshing sweet and tangy side dish.

German Cucumber Salad

Similar to this spicy cabbage slaw and the southwest inspired corn salad, this is a terrific make-ahead option for potlucks and barbecues. It only gets better after a few hours in the fridge.

I typically make it in the morning or the night before I plan to serve it. The sour cream, sugar, and vinegar marinate together and the result is a delicious tangy dressing.

To get the creamiest dressing possible, instead of watery results, there are few 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 my cucumber about ¼ inch thick for this salad. You could also slice them thinner or use a mandolin and make ribbon-like strips.

Let the cucumbers rest to release excess moisture first.

Creamy Cucumber Salad Ingredients

  • English cucumbers sliced thin
  • red onion sliced very thin
  • kosher salt
  • sour cream
  • white sugar
  • white vinegar
  • dried dill
  • dried parsley
  • paprika

Note: While I used dried dill and dried parsley from my pantry feel free to substitute and use fresh. Fresh dill adds great flavor to this salad.

Traditional German Cucumber Salad is a favorite.

German Cucumber Salad Recipe

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Cover with a lid or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight; garnish with a sprinkling of additional paprika before serving.
Classic German Cucumber Salad is a tangy sweet salad.

For a couple more recipes that remind me of dinners at grandma’s house, this creamy purple cabbage slaw with carrots and raisins is a classic. And 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 absolutely unforgettable.

Spring mix and spinach make a great base to top with apples, raisins, and nuts in this spinach apple salad.

Traditional German Cucumber Salad is a favorite.

German Cucumber Salad

5 from 3 votes
Nothing says summer Sunday dinner at grandma's quite like German Cucumber Salad. Creamy, fresh with a bit of tang.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

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

Calories: 55kcal · Carbohydrates: 7g · Protein: 1g · Fat: 3g · Saturated Fat: 1g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g · Monounsaturated Fat: 1g · Cholesterol: 8mg · Sodium: 297mg · Potassium: 144mg · Fiber: 1g · Sugar: 5g · Vitamin A: 195IU · Vitamin C: 4mg · Calcium: 31mg · Iron: 1mg
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Tangy sweet German Cucumber Salad

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