This delectable sour cream-based German Cucumber Salad, also known as gurkensalat, is made with a little more than a handful of ingredients in less than fifteen minutes. This easy dish has all the great flavors of your German grandmother’s salad.
This easy and delicious German cucumber salad is the perfect side dish for your summer BBQs. With fresh cucumbers, dill, and tangy sour cream, it’s the perfect refreshing addition to any meal. It is a delicious side dish for your summer BBQ and grilling entrees. However, if you want to keep the meal more traditional, in Germany, they serve it with pork schnitzel, beef rouladen, or sauerbraten.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Sour cream: Use full-fat sour cream for the best flavor and texture
- Granulated sugar: I use just a small amount of granulated sugar for a tad of sweetness.
- White vinegar: You can substitute white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar for the white vinegar.
- Fresh dill: Fresh dill is best in this salad as it is flavorful and fragrant. However, in a pinch, you can substitute 2 teaspoons of dried dill. Other fresh herbs that taste great in this salad include chives and parsley. Or add a clove of pressed garlic.
- English cucumbers: English cucumbers work best for this salad. Their skins are less tough, so peeling is not necessary, and the seeds are so small they are barely noticeable. Smaller seeds also mean less water and better texture.
- Onion: Use a sweet yellow onion or Vidalia onion.
How to make German Cucumber Salad
This is the summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Start by slicing your cucumbers and onions very thin. I use a mandolin, but with a little patience and a sharp knife, it can be done without one. Then, whisk together the sour cream, sugar, white vinegar, and dill in a small bowl. Gently stir it into the sliced cucumbers and onions. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- A mandolin is an excellent way to slice the cucumbers and onions into thin, uniform pieces.
- If less moisture in the salad is desired, sprinkle the cucumbers with a teaspoon of salt and place them in a colander to drain for about an hour. Then, dry with a paper towel before proceeding with the recipe.
- Serve this dish with a slotted spoon.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions for German Cucumber Salad
I love to serve this with German beef rouladen, cabbage rolls, or pork schnitzel. Other great choices are skillet German potato salad and oven-baked ribs.
More Salad Recipes
German Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 2 English cucumbers sliced thin
- ½ onion sliced thin
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, sugar, white vinegar, and dill.
- Gently stir it into a bowl with the sliced cucumbers and onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill for a couple of hours.
Notes
- A mandolin is an excellent way to slice the cucumbers and onions into thin, uniform pieces.
- If less moisture in the salad is desired, sprinkle the cucumbers with a teaspoon of salt and place them in a colander to drain for about an hour. Then, dry with a paper towel before proceeding with the recipe.
- Serve this dish with a slotted spoon.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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Larry Richards
My Mom used to make this salad and I loved it so it was a must try. It was easy and just as delicious as I remember it. I served it with bratwurst and fried potatoes with onions. It was a great meal for me and my wife.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Larry! So glad that you liked the cucumber salad!
Carole C
Cucumbers are good and healthy. We have a similar salad in the Philippines but with a hint of sugar.
Barb Greenwood
I love this cucumber salad! It is so easy to make and so tasty! It was a regular side at our meals when I was growing! Thank for the reminder.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Barb!
Cyndee
I actually love cucumbers and I think they’re a refreshing vegetable. This salad was delicious and easy to make. I served it with bratwurst and everyone loved it!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Cyndee! I am so glad that everyone liked it!
Jill Oliver
My German grandmother used to make a very similar salad, she didn’t use dill though because to be honest I think women of her era kind of didn’t use too many spices. She also would let the cucumbers sit in vinegar overnight before doing the next step.
This looks wonderful and I would love to make it , mainly because I adore dill.
Beth Pierce
I adore dill!
Laura L
I absolutely love cucumber salads and this one was amazing. Creamy and so delicious! I can’t wait to make it again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Laura! We love it too!
Campbell
Your German cucumber salad recipe is a refreshing and delightful addition to any meal! The crispness of the cucumbers paired with the creamy dressing creates a perfect balance of flavors. It’s not only delicious but also easy to make. Well done my friend.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Campbell!
Stephanie Anderson
This is such a refreshing and new way to serve cucumbers! A delish and easy to make side dish – looking forward to making again with cucumbers from my garden this summer.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! I hope you enjoy it all summer long!
Benjamin L
This cucumber salad is my new favorite. I love the tang and the bite of the onions with the coolness of the cucumbers. Really good!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Benjamin!
Katja
Hi,
German here… my Grandma used to make this salad and I learned to make it from her… little tipp, pour a teaspoon of salt over the cucumbers after slicing them and let them sit for a while, drain them and then pour the marinade over it… the salad will be better 😉