This creamy, light and refreshing German Cucumber Salad (aka Gurkensalat) is an easy side dish that is perfect for just about any main course. Crisp, thinly sliced cucumbers and onions in a simple sour cream and dill dressing is a salad I’ve been enjoying for years!
I’ve so much been craving delicious cucumber salads with the arrival of Spring (YES!). This is one of my favorites because it’s easy to prepare, budget-friendly and uses mostly simple ingredients that you most likely already have on-hand.
Ingredients Notes
- Cucumber – I like to use an English cucumber because the seeds are smaller and the skin is thinner. I choose not to peel the cucumber, but feel free to peel it if you desire.
- Onion – I use red onion, but yellow or white onion can also be used.
- Sour cream – I use full fat sour cream, but low fat can also be used. Sour cream can be substituted with plain yogurt, if desired.
- Dill – I love the vibrant flavor of using a lot of fresh dill in the dressing (I use 2 tablespoons). Feel free to adjust the amount of dill to your personal preference.
- Salt and black pepper – adjust the amount(s) to your personal preference.
- Milk
- Prepared mustard – adds a slight tangy flavor to the dressing. I use yellow mustard, but feel free to use Dijon (or even completely omit the mustard if you want).
- Vinegar – I use white vinegar which can also be substituted with apple cider vinegar.
How to Make it
This couldn’t be easier to prepare!
- Whisk or stir together sour cream, mustard, vinegar, milk, salt, pepper and dill in a medium bowl until combined.
- Add cucumbers and onions. Gently stir or toss to combine and coat as evenly as possible. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.
This recipe is easily customizable to your personal taste. Feel free to adjust the amount(s) of salt, pepper, and dill to your liking.
Storing in the Fridge
I like to let this rest in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour before serving. If it sits any longer, the cucumbers release liquid and the dressing becomes watery (and the cucumbers get soggy). This is best when served no longer than after a few hours in the fridge.
Enjoy!
More Refreshing Cucumber Salads
German Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- â…“ cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- ½ teaspoon prepared yellow mustard or Dijon
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt more or less, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper more or less, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill more or less, to taste
- 1 large English cucumber washed and thinly sliced (about 2 ½ cups sliced)
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion or yellow or white onion
Instructions
- Whisk or stir together sour cream (or yogurt), mustard, vinegar, milk, salt, pepper and dill in a medium bowl until combined.
- Add sliced cucumbers and onions and gently stir or toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- This recipe is best when served no longer than after 3 hours of refrigerating.
Nutrition
If provided, nutritional info is a courtesy, is not guaranteed and should only be considered as a guideline.
Originally published March 2017. Updated with new photos, new text, new video and recipe slightly revised March 2022.
It’s a tastes wonderful. Well make again. Thank you.
I just whipped up the dressing for this before realizing it mentions to enjoy it no longer than 3 hours of making it. I haven’t added the cucumbers or onion yet. Think it should be ok if I stick the dressing in the fridge and wait to add the cucumbers/onion an hour prior to eating? The dressing is amazing!!
Hi Jess, I think that would be fine. Thank you and I hope you enjoy it!
I just made a cucumber dill potato salad and wanted my cucumber and onions and then decided to put in the tomatoes. I used your dressing but didn’t add the dill because of my potato salad. I used a spice I have Dliciou Garlic Lovers Seasoning. I love it. There is another one I used too: Jane’s Krazy Mixed Up Salt. It has a little of everything and just adds to the dish. Thanks for the dressing recipe.
Thank you Mary, your version sounds absolutely delicious… I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Delicious!
My family used canned evaporated milk and apple cider vinegar- I never knew there was any other vinegar til I was an adult!