Description
A crisp, tangy, and creamy German-style cucumber salad with sour cream and dill. Salting the cucumbers ensures a crunchy texture that holds the dressing without becoming watery.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large English or Persian cucumbers (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (for salting cucumbers)
- ½ cup full-fat sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar (5% acidity)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ medium white onion, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- Pinch of black or white pepper
Instructions
- Wash cucumbers and slice them into uniform rounds or half-moons, about ¼ inch thick.
- Place cucumber slices in a colander set over a bowl or in the sink. Sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon of salt and toss to coat.
- Let the cucumbers sit for 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- Rinse the cucumbers thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt.
- Gently squeeze the cucumbers with your hands or pat them dry with paper towels until damp but not dripping.
- In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, white vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of pepper until smooth and the sugar is dissolved.
- Transfer the dried cucumber slices to a large serving bowl and add the thinly sliced white onion.
- Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and onion, tossing gently to coat evenly.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours) to allow flavors to meld.
- Just before serving, sprinkle with finely chopped fresh dill and give a gentle toss. Serve cold.
Notes
Do not skip the salting step; it is crucial for removing water and ensuring the salad stays crunchy. English or Persian cucumbers are preferred for their thin skins and lack of seeds. This salad improves as it sits, making it ideal for make-ahead preparation. Do not freeze, as the cucumbers will become mushy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
Keywords: German cucumber salad, sour cream cucumber salad, dill cucumber salad, summer side dish, make-ahead salad, crunchy cucumber salad