Description
A refreshing, tangy, and creamy German cucumber salad (Gurkensalat) that balances cool cucumbers with a rich dill dressing. This simple side dish is perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large English or Kirby cucumbers (about 1.5 pounds / 680g)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup full-fat sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Wash cucumbers thoroughly. If using Kirby cucumbers, peel them; if using English cucumbers, leave skin on or peel to preference. Slice into thin half-moons or rounds (about ¼ inch thick) and place in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle salt evenly over the cucumbers and toss to coat. Let them sit in a colander over the sink for at least 10 minutes, ideally 30 minutes, to draw out excess moisture.
- Rinse the cucumbers under cold water to remove excess salt, then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels until damp but not soaking wet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, sugar, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Add the dried cucumbers and chopped fresh dill to the dressing. If using hard-boiled eggs, slice and add them now. Toss gently until cucumbers are evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Stir before serving and serve cold.
Notes
Salting and draining the cucumbers is crucial to prevent a watery salad. Use full-fat dairy for the best texture. Fresh dill is preferred over dried. The salad tastes better if made ahead and chilled overnight.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
Keywords: German cucumber salad, Gurkensalat, creamy dill salad, side dish, summer salad, make-ahead salad, gluten-free side