German cucumber salad is a classic refreshing salad made with cucumber, red onion, and sour, tangy dressing. It is also known as “Gurkensalat”. German cucumber salad is a classic and pleasant dish in German cuisine.
This salad is distinguished by its basic yet lively blend of components, which combine to provide a light and zesty side dish. It is easy to make with simple items that you almost certainly have on hand. My dear friends, salads are very healthy. You should eat salad with your dinner or lunch. Onion, cucumber, mint, and carrots are my favorite salads. I cut them into thin slices, simply pour in yogurt, and enjoy with my dinner.
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What will you need to prepare the salad?
- Cucumbers: Use fresh cucumbers because they are more crunchy. You can peel them or leave the skin on. I like their skin. When I bite, they give a wonderful sound, which I so like.
- Onion: Basically, red onion is used in German cucumber salad, but you can add white or yellow onion as well. The onions are normally finely chopped to add a little sharpness to the meal. Red onion gives a mild flavor as well as an attractive appearance to the meal.
- Fresh dill: This adds a unique and fragrant flavor. Fresh dill is the key ingredient in German cucumber salad recipe. It not only provides flavor to the dish but also adds beauty. This salad has a colorful combination that gives it a creamy texture and a tangy taste.
- Vinegar: We add the vinegar to balance the tangy taste and richness. You can add white vinegar or apple vinegar; it depends on your choice.
- Sugar: It gives sweetness to the salad and balances the acidity of the vinegar.
- Sour cream gives a creamy and tangy texture. I like cream, but sometimes I use yogurt in my German salad. We can substitute the cream with plain yogurt; it’s also amazing.
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
How to Assemble the German Cucumber Salad?
Preparation: Super thinly sliced cucumber and red onion; you can leave the cucumber skin on or peel them if you want, and chop the fresh dill. Put them in a bowl.
Dressing: In another medium bowl, mix together sour cream or plain yogurt, sugar, fresh dill, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well with the help of a hand mixer or spoon to combine all the items finely.
Assembling: Pour the dressing over the cucumber and onion slices and toss them to combine them nicely.
Cooling process: Keep the prepared salad in the fridge for about 30 minutes; don’t keep it for a long time; it will become watery. When I keep it in the fridge some time later while I eat, it makes me feel fresh and cool. After the salad preparation, you can sprinkle some chopped fresh dill over it; it will make your salad so pretty. Adjust salt and black pepper if desired.
FAQ About German Salad:
What is the best way to prevent cucumbers from becoming soggy?
I will tell you some of the best steps to prevent cucumbers from becoming soggy.
1. You should choose the fresh cucumbers. I will recommend English cucumbers; they are best for salad.
2. Cut the cucumbers into thin slices because thin slices absorb the dressing more efficiently and do not become mushy. On the other hand, thicker layers of cucumber leak moisture.
3. After slicing, sprinkle some salt over them and allow the slices to rest for around 15 minutes. The salt is helpful to remove the excess fluid. After that, wash the cucumbers and dry them thoroughly with the help of a towel.
Can I make a German cucumber salad with any sort of cucumber?
Yes, sure, you can make a German cucumber salad recipe with any type of cucumber, but it should be fresh, crispy, and seedless. The English cucumber is best because it has fewer seeds and a lower moisture content.
How can I serve German cucumber cold or hot?
Basically, German cucumber salad is served cold and chilled for 30 minutes in the fridge because chilling the salad brings out the flavor, makes you cool, and makes a refreshing meal.
Can I store my leftover German cucumber salad?
You can store it for a minimum of 1 day, but I will recommend you don’t keep it for a long time because it releases moisture. Make it, chill it for 30 minutes in the fridge, serve it cold, and enjoy.
What are the variations of the German cucumber salad?
There are some variations; for example, you can substitute sour cream with yogurt or white vinegar with apple cider vinegar. Some people add red bell pepper and tomatoes for more taste and color, but German cucumber salad recipe is made with a few items, which I explain in the above.
- Preparation time: (10-15 minutes)
- Refrigeration time: (30 minutes)
- Total time: (40-45 minutes)
- Keyword: (German cucumber salad)
- Cuisine: (German)
- Course: (salad)
- Yield: (6 servings)
Ingredients for German Cucumber Salad:
- (2) large English cucumber
- (1) medium-sized thinly sliced red onion
- Chopped fresh dill (1 tablespoon)
- Sugar (1 teaspoon)
- Sour cream or plain yogurt (1/2 cup)
- White or apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon)
- (1/2 teaspoon) salt if desired then you can add extra later
- Sprinkle ground black pepper to taste
Preparation Method:
Preparation: Super thinly sliced cucumber and red onion; you can leave the cucumber skin on or peel them if you want, and chop the fresh dill. Put them in a bowl.
Dressing: In another medium bowl, mix together sour cream or plain yogurt, sugar, fresh dill, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well with the help of a hand mixer or spoon to combine all the items finely.
Assembling: Pour the dressing over the cucumber and onion slices and toss them to combine them nicely.
Cooling process: Keep the prepared salad in the fridge for about 30 minutes; don’t keep it for a long time; it will become watery. When I keep it in the fridge some time later while I eat, it makes me feel fresh and cool. After the salad preparation, you can sprinkle some chopped fresh dill over it; it will make your salad so pretty. Adjust salt and black pepper if desired.
Nutrition Information:
- Calories: (100)
- Protein: (2 grams)
- Fat: (3 grams)
- Carbohydrates: (5 grams)
- Fiber: (2 grams)
- Sugars: (4 grams)
- Cholesterol: (15 milligrams)
Note: Its necessary to remember that these are approximate estimations, and the real amounts of nutrients may vary depending on the directions and components proportions. If you have distinctive health issues or are following a specific dietary schedule, you should compute the nutritional information using the precise components and quantities you use.
