German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat). German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat) Fresh and crispy German cucumber salad, just like the kind you know and love from German restaurants! This German cucumber-dill salad, called gurkensalat, with its winning combination of vinegar and sugar in the dressing, makes a refreshing summer salad that goes well with many types of meat, especially pork. They also make a flavorful addition to a chicken salad or tuna salad sandwich.

My mom is a native German, so every few years we trek back to the homeland to visit her side of the family. Growing up, German cucumber salad meant summer. There wasn't a meal that this cucumber salad couldn't complement. You can cook German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat) using 13 ingredients and 9 steps. Here is how you achieve it.

Ingredients of German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat)

Prepare 2 of large cucumbers, peeled, very thinly sliced.
It's 1/2 of small sweet onion, very thinly sliced.
Prepare Dash of salt.
Prepare 1/4 cup of water.
You need 2 Tbs. of light oil (or olive oil).
You need 3 Tbs. of apple cider vinegar.
It's 2 Tbs. of sugar.
Prepare 2 Tbs. of sour cream.
It's 1 pinch of pepper.
Prepare 1/4 cup of “fresh” dill, very finely chopped.
It's 1 Tsp. of dried chives.
You need 1 Tsp. of dried parsley.
It's 1 Tsp. of fresh lemon juice.

Because of my dad's German heritage, he called it gurkensalat. Alex's family was decidedly less fancy, and simply called it "pickles". Whatever you call it, a good cucumber salad can't be beat in the summer. What is German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat) German cucumber salad, traditionally known as Gerkensalat, is a creamy cucumber dish featuring thinly sliced cucumbers swimming in a sour cream dressing spiked with fresh dill.

German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat) instructions

Cut the cucumbers ends off and peel the cucumber skins with a potato peeler. Slice the “cukes” very thin so that they’re almost transparent..
Place in a medium size bowl in layers, very lightly sprinkling the cukes with salt as you go. This will draw out the moisture..
Take the half onion and cut the end off. Peel back the outer skin. Crosswise cut in half and thinly slice it up. Place in the bowl on top of the cucumber slices. Allow this to sit for 30 minutes..
In a small bowl or measuring cup (2 cp.), mix the water, oil, cider vinegar, and sugar until dissolved. Add the sour cream, dash of pepper, and mix well..
Taste for a balance of even sweetness and sour. If too tart, add a pinch of sugar and a dash of water. If too sweet, add a dash of vinegar and/or water..
Now add fresh dill, chives, parsley, and lemon juice and mix well. Taste for right balance..
Gently squeeze excess moisture from the cuke slices and tilt the bowl to drain the juices. Gently fold 2-3 times to mix..
Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and onions, fold over, and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours. Fold over again once or twice during the refrigeration or marinating process..
Drain bowl juices into a measuring cup and taste for balance. Adjust for taste and pour over the salad. Using a slotted spoon, serve at slightly below room temperature or chilled..

Similarly to old-fashioned half sour pickles, this popular summer salad is often prepared simply to make use of the abundance. German cucumber salad is a low carb, healthy side dish that takes only a few minutes to make. Homemade cucumber salad is a refreshing companion to any main dish, be it meat or fish, which is especially popular in summer. This simple German classic can be prepared with different dressings. German cucumber salad recipe, aka Gurkensalad, is one of our favorite summer salad recipes.