German Cucumber Salad – Gurkensalat
Trying to beat the heat of summer? This Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad recipe offers a cool and refreshing side dish to enjoy with your dinner on a hot summer night. Using fresh picked cucumbers from the garden and simple ingredients, you have an easy to prepare side dish.
This salad is also known as German Cucumber Salad or Gurkensalat. In Germany, Gurkensalat is a summertime favorite and the flavors compliment any chicken, beef, pork, or fish entrée. Growing up with a German Grandma, I was fortunate to experience many of her traditional German meals. I have to say, that she never served us Gurkensalat before, and I wished she had.
I have tried creamy cucumber salad before at restaurants and potlucks and felt the flavors were too bland. I love fresh dill and since this salad uses ingredients I enjoy, the German blood in me could not give up. I knew this salad had the potential to taste wonderful! In this recipe, I decided to mix the dressing separately to let the flavors meld together for a while before mixing in the cucumbers. This technique seemed to work well and produced a wonderful flavor combination of creamy and tangy with a hint of saltiness on the taste buds.
For a recent barbecue, I made a lighter version of cucumber salad and served with Cornell Barbecue Chicken. Both were a hit with family and guests!
Find more fantastic Salad and Salad Dressing Recipes!
- 3 large cucumbers, peeled and sliced 1/8-inch thickness
- 1/2 onion, thinly sliced and then cut in quarters*
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream**
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, regular or light
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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Place sliced cucumbers and onions in a medium sized bowl and sprinkle with salt. Cover and refrigerate.
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In a separate small bowl, mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, dill, chives, salt and pepper. Cover and let refrigerate for at least a couple hours to let the flavors meld together.
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Before serving, drain any excess water off of the cucumbers and onion mixture. Next, combine cucumber mixture with the dressing and serve. Note: It is best to mix in cucumbers at the last minute before serving to prevent dressing from getting too watery.
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Serves 6 to 8.
* Can substitute red or green onions.
** For a lighter version, substitute non-fat greek yogurt