This German Cucumber Salad was handed down from my Great-Grandmother and we make it all summer long. The method is definitely different than you might be used to, but it’s the only way I have ever made it! (And it works!) If you love cucumber, don’t miss my Buffalo Chicken Salad!
German Cucumber Salad
Also called Gurkensalat, this version of this recipe is simple, easy, and delicious. As I mentioned, it was handed down by my 100% German Great-Grandmother! After serving it over the years I understand that there are several variations of this recipe in Germany, similar to an apple pie for Americans. Some folks add potatoes, some add carrots, some use a soured-cream and dump it all together and let the cucumbers sweat. We have always left the skins on the cucumbers for more texture and flavor, but they can also be peeled prior to slicing if you prefer. I think the flavor is great when it can be marinated for several hours before serving, but my favorite is eating it right after the heavy cream is added!
What is in a Cucumber Salad?
Not only does this old-fashioned salad taste so good with a strong dish like Stuffed Buffalo Chicken or Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken, but it uses up all of those abundant cucumbers in the garden! It is cool, refreshing, and crunchy.
The method is what makes this recipe unique!
How to Make German Cucumber Salad
Start by cutting the cucumber. I like to use a mandolin to make sure that every piece is the same size, but it is not necessary. (And can be therapeutic to chop by hand if you like chopping vegetables!) Then chop the onions and separate them into pieces. Add all of the cucumber and onion to a bowl and cover in 1/4 cup (nope, that is not a misprint!) salt. The salt will draw all of the liquid out of the cucumber. Let that sit about a couple of hours. You just might be surprised with how much liquid comes out!
Drain the liquid and then rinse the cucumbers and onion in cool water. My MIL rinses them well at this stage, however, we love a saltier flavor so only lightly rinse.
I highly recommend taste testing at this point! If it is too salty now, it will be too salty when you prepare it! Rinse again if needed. Also, when you add the heavy cream it will tone down much of the saltiness.
Once the cucumbers are rinsed, add in the heavy cream, vinegar, and fresh chopped dill. Stir well.
It can be served immediately (my fav!) or refrigerated until ready to serve, up to overnight.
More Side Dishes
German Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 2-4 medium cucumbers about 8 cups cucumbers
- 1 large white onion thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons salt
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped fine
Instructions
- Slice cucumbers thin and place in a large bowl. (We use a mandoline.)
- Slice onion and place in the bowl with the cucumber.
- Sprinkle salt over top. Let sit for 2 hours, or until there is a large amount of liquid in the bowl, almost covering the cucumbers.
- Drain cucumbers and onion and rinse with cold water. (Taste test here. You can always rinse again if it seems too salty.)
- Add heavy cream, vinegar, and fresh dill and stir well.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Did you make this recipe?
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It just looks Good and wanna try it
Path of my heritage is German and that is how I ate. We did not add the sour cream but I like it that way too.
I thought it was way too salty! Is that really a necessary step?
Yes. If it tasted too salty to you – just make sure you rinse it REALLY well.
I Made The German Cucumber Salad Real Good Salad I love Your Recipes Thanks For Sharing ❣️👍
Do you have a good recipe for chicken paprikash? I saw a comment that said it was a good side dish with it.TIA
It doesn’t say how much of anything to use except the salt, what kind of cream, or how many cucumbers, how much of the onion.
Did you not see the recipe card, Jim? It is right above the comment section.
It’s up there
Ingredients:
2-4 medium cucumbers about 8 cups cucumbers
1 large white onion thinly sliced
3 tablespoons salt
2 teaspoons vinegar
1 cup heavy whipping cream or sour cream
2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped fine
İ love all about German food especially the way they prepared thier food..most especially on how they prepared salad❤️
Do you have a recipe for lemon bars please? Thank you
https://iambaker.net/the-best-lemon-bars/
Loved it! …..just like grandmas!
I want your Recipe
Been making this for years! Thanks for posting.
Soooo good. Especially with roast beef and potatoes.
I just add sour cream and dill after I rinse and pat dry
Made it many times and loved it each time
Salad was very good. Cucumbers remained crunchy for several days. I used the sour cream because that was what I had. Just a tad salty the first day but after that it was fine. And not so salty that I wouldn’t eat it. I just made another batch. Good with dinner or a sandwich.
If you use vinegar, mix with whipping cream. Omit vinegar if using sour cream.
Way too much dill!
There can never be too much dill !!
This was always a side dish when my mother made chicken paprikash she made it with sour cream
My German Grandmother did not use cream or yogurt but a bit more vinegar, a little sugar and caraway seeds
My family has a very similar recipe. I have known it as cucumbers and cream. We soak the cucumber slices in salt water. However, it is a recipe from my dad’s side that is 100% german. Just never heard it called german Cucumber salad.
We make it exactly the same but sometimes add celery seed.