German Cucumber Salad is a cool and creamy side dish made with thin cucumber slices, sour cream, fresh dill, vinegar, and a little sugar. The cucumbers soften in the tangy dressing as they chill, creating a light and refreshing salad.
It pairs especially well with Crispy Garlic Chicken Thighs, where the cool tangy dressing balances the rich garlic pan sauce.
It is an easy cold side dish for warm days, barbecues, grilled chicken, roasted meats, or weeknight dinners.
This creamy dill salad is especially good with Crispy Garlic Chicken Thighs, where the cool tangy dressing balances the rich garlic pan sauce.
The dressing starts thick, then naturally becomes lighter as the cucumbers release their juices while chilling.
Table of contents
- Why You’ll Love This German Cucumber Salad
- What Is German Cucumber Salad?
- Ingredients for German Cucumber Salad
- Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- How to Make German Cucumber Salad
- Expert Tips for the Best German Cucumber Salad
- Storage and Freezing
- Variations
- Common Mistakes To Avoid
- What To Serve With German Cucumber Salad
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Fresh Cucumber Recipes You’ll Love
Why You’ll Love This German Cucumber Salad
- Made with simple everyday ingredients.
- Creamy, tangy, and refreshing.
- No cooking required.
- Perfect for summer meals and barbecues.
- Easy to prepare ahead of time.
What Is German Cucumber Salad?
German cucumber salad, also called Gurkensalat, is a cold cucumber side dish made with thinly sliced cucumbers and a creamy sour cream dill dressing. It is usually served chilled with grilled meats, potatoes, schnitzel, or summer meals.
Ingredients for German Cucumber Salad
For the Cucumber Salad
- 2 large English cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1½ pounds / 700 g)
For the Creamy Dill Dressing
- ½ cup sour cream (120 g)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar (15 ml)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (4 g)
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill (4 g)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
English cucumbers are ideal because they have thin skins, fewer small seeds, and a crisp texture that works well after chilling in the dressing. You can use 4 Persian cucumbers instead. For more detail on the difference between the two, see this guide to English and Persian cucumbers.
Peeling the cucumbers gives the salad a softer texture and the pale green look visible in your final photos. Leave part of the peel on if you prefer more color and crunch.
Full-fat sour cream gives the best creamy texture. Thick plain Greek yogurt can be used instead, although the flavor will be slightly tangier. Strained yogurt is the closest substitute because it has a similarly thick texture for creamy dressings. See this sour cream substitute guide for more options.
Fresh dill is important for the classic flavor. Chives, parsley, or mint can work, but dill is the best option for this recipe. For another fresh cucumber side with a lighter yogurt dressing, try this Creamy Cucumber Salad with Greek Yogurt with lemon, mint, and red onion.
White vinegar keeps the dressing clean and mild. Apple cider vinegar can be used, but it will give the salad a slightly fruitier taste.
How to Make German Cucumber Salad
Make the Creamy Dill Dressing
Add the sour cream, white vinegar, sugar, fresh dill, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl.
Whisk until smooth and the dill is evenly mixed through the dressing.
Slice the Cucumbers
Peel the English cucumbers, then slice them very thinly with a sharp knife or mandoline. A mandoline gives the most even slices, but always use the safety guard or a cut-resistant glove and stop before the cucumber becomes too small to hold safely. Read this mandoline safety guide for more helpful tips.
Aim for thin, even slices so they soften evenly in the dressing.
Toss Everything Together
Add the sliced cucumbers to the bowl with the creamy dill dressing.
Fold gently until every cucumber slice is coated.
Chill Before Serving
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
The cucumbers will release moisture while chilling, making the dressing lighter and more spoonable. Stir well before serving cold. For a simple dinner plate, serve this salad with Crispy Smashed Potatoes and your favorite grilled meat or chicken.
Expert Tips for the Best German Cucumber Salad
- Slice the cucumbers as thinly as possible for the best texture.
- Use a mandoline for even slices, but watch your fingers.
- Use full-fat sour cream so the dressing stays creamy after chilling.
- Do not skip the fresh dill because it gives the salad its signature flavor.
- Chill for at least 4 hours instead of serving immediately.
- Stir the salad again before serving because liquid settles at the bottom.
- Taste after chilling and add extra salt or black pepper if needed.
- Serve cold for the freshest flavor.
Storage and Freezing
Store German Cucumber Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days for the best texture. The cucumbers will become softer and the dressing thinner after that.
Do not freeze this salad because the cucumbers will become watery after thawing. Refrigerate it promptly after serving and keep it cold.
Variations
- Add thinly sliced red onion for more bite.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Add chopped chives with the dill.
- Stir in a little minced garlic for a stronger flavor.
- Add a pinch of paprika for a mild smoky touch.
German Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Peel the cucumbers and slice them very thinly using a knife or mandoline.
- Add the sour cream, white vinegar, sugar, fresh dill, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl. Whisk until smooth.
- Add the sliced cucumbers to the dressing.
- Toss gently until all cucumber slices are coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Stir well before serving cold.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- English cucumbers are best because they stay firmer after chilling.
- You can use 4 Persian cucumbers instead of English cucumbers.
- Thick plain Greek yogurt can replace sour cream.
- The dressing becomes thinner as the cucumbers release moisture.
- Fresh dill gives the best flavor.
- Keep refrigerated and enjoy within 2 days for the best texture.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Using cucumbers that are too soft or seedy.
- Slicing the cucumbers too thick.
- Using low-fat sour cream, which can make the dressing thinner.
- Skipping the chilling time.
- Adding too much vinegar.
- Not stirring the salad before serving.
- Making the salad too far ahead.
What To Serve With German Cucumber Salad
German Cucumber Salad is delicious served with grilled chicken, pork chops, bratwurst, schnitzel, roasted potatoes, or baked salmon. It also makes a refreshing side dish for barbecue meals, burgers, sandwiches, and simple weeknight dinners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Overnight chilling works very well and gives the cucumbers more time to soften in the dressing.
Peeling is recommended because English cucumber skin can be slightly tough after marinating.
Yes. Use thick plain Greek yogurt for the closest texture.
Cucumbers naturally release water while they sit in the salt and vinegar dressing. Stir everything together before serving.
Fresh dill gives the best flavor. Use 1 teaspoon dried dill if fresh dill is unavailable.
Serve it with grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, steak, schnitzel-style chicken, burgers, or barbecue dishes.
More Fresh Cucumber Recipes You’ll Love
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
