My mother and my Oma came from different corners of Germany, so naturally, each has a different recipe for cucumber salad. Oma passed along this Creamy German Cucumber Salad recipe. From Mom, I got the German Cucumber Salad recipe that uses an oil and vinegar base (find the recipe here). While both are quite tasty, this creamy version is the one that more people seem to recognize.
What’s the difference? Well, the creamy version uses Sour Cream (you can substitute plain yogurt if you prefer), and, much like her salad dressing recipe, it tastes sort of sweet. Also, Oma’s Creamy German Cucumber Salad Recipe does not contain onions, although I add some chives for a hint of oniony flavor and a bit of color.
Cucumbers contain a lot (and I mean A LOT) of moisture, so it’s good to let them dry off a bit before mixing with the sour cream dressing. Otherwise, the cucumber water mixes with the sour cream, diluting the dressing. It’s not horrible; it just doesn’t look as nice.
FYI, if you’ve left the salad in the refrigerator overnight and the dressing looks thin and watery, drain it off and then toss in a tablespoon of Sour Cream to the salad. Taste it and correct the seasonings.
I use regular Salad Cucumbers and peel them. If you choose to use English Cucumbers, you don’t need to bother with the peeling. Also, if you make very thin slices, the cucumbers will soften up quickly. Using thicker slices will keep the cucumber “firmer.” If I plan on serving the salad twice (like when I’m alone), I go with thicker slices. Also, I use a knife, but a mandolin makes perfect slices… just watch your fingers.
Creamy German Cucumber Salad
Creamy German Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 1 large Salad Cucumber
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- 3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
- 1 Tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Sugar add half if you want it less sweet
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon chopped Dill
- 1 Tablespoon chopped Chives optional
Instructions
- Peel and thinly slice Cucumber. To keep the salad from getting too wet, lay the cucumber slices on a paper towel while you prepare the dressing. (Up to 30 minutes, if you want. If you are less sensitive about wet cucumbers, transfer them to a bowl whenever you want to).
- In a small bowl, combine the Sour Cream, Oil, Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, and Pepper. Stir until completely combined and the sugar/salt have dissolved (when you no longer feel the grains against the bowl with your spoon).
- Place the Cucumbers in a medium mixing bowl or serving bowl. Add half of the herbs. Just before serving, add the dressing. Toss to completely coat. Sprinkle with the remaining herbs
- Serve
Notes
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See How Creamy German Cucumber Salad is Made
Got your Cucumber?
Peel and Slice the Cucumber
Let the cucumber slices rest on a paper towel to suck up some of the moisture
Chop the Dill and Chives
Mix the dressing ingredients
Put the drained cucumbers in a bowl… add about half of the herbs
Add the dressing- then toss
Sprinkle on the rest of the herbs – Serve
Did you enjoy this recipe? Try German Cucumber Salad with Oil and Vinegar
Who has a recipe site where you can’t print the recipes. That’s horrible
If you press the little printer Icon on the recipe, it should print just fine