Mutti's Northern German Cucumber Salad Recipe ~ Gurkensalat

➤ by Oma Gerhild Fulson

This German cucumber salad recipe, aka Gurkensalad,  is one of our favorite summer salad recipes. It's the one that's most popular in northern Germany. In fact, it's one that I just can't alter. 

I've tried, BUT, nothing beats this original recipe that I grew up with. It seems, that whenever I make it, I never make enough. I start out, always adding an extra cucumber to make sure there's enough.

Somehow, it always disappears quickly. My plan is always to make more the next time, after all, it's a quick German recipe ... so easy to make.

Tips and Tricks for Cucumber Salad :)

• You'll find that when you serve this, everyone wants this "German Cucumber Salad recipe", so be prepared to give it out. Adults and kids alike just love the taste and the creaminess. 

• English Cucumbers? If the skin is nice and thin, don't bother peeling them. Leaving the peel looks pretty in the salad and is healthier. Lecker!
• Some people remove the seeded center part of the cucumber to help remove some of the water. I don't. I love using the whole cucumber. It's healthy. Why throw some of it away?

• However, if you wish, you can make it hours ahead -- you just need to make it a bit differently then. The "problem" is that cucumbers are quite watery and if the dressing is added early, the water is "pulled" out of the cucumbers and the dressing is diluted.
  
• To do this, you slice the cucumbers thinly. Put into a bowl and sprinkle them with salt. Stir. Let sit for about one hour. The salt will draw out some of the cucumbers' water. Drain well just before using and add the dressing to which you have NOT added salt. Rather taste the final salad before adding extra salt if needed.
• If you want to pre-make the salad, you can pre-slice the cucumbers very thinly. Then, leave them covered in a bowl in the fridge. Make the dressing and refrigerate it as well. Combine just before serving.

Lydia Remembers...

I have so many wunderbar memories in the kitchen with my Oma, and have had MANY of her most popular and traditional recipes, like this cucumber salad! 

Oma and I have made this refreshing cucumber salad for many family functions and it has certainly become a favorite. It adds a bright and summery feel to any meal! 

Making this recipe is quite the yummy treat for me considering pickles are my FAVORITE snack of all, the dill flavoring is spectacular. For all you dill lovers looking for a light summer snack, this is the one!

I remember learning to make this salad a few different ways. The Northern and the Southern way! The dill makes for such a nice punch of flavor. 

Learn a little bit about me, Lydia, and my kitchen adventures with Oma!

Oma says,

When making this creamy cucumber salad recipe below, you can use low-fat sour cream or yogurt. Personally, I love to use Greek yogurt.

Fresh dill is awesome, but frozen or dried is good. Not only is the resulting salad so tasty, but the remaining dressing is devoured as well.

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Ready to make this cucumber salad?

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Below is Karen's recipe (from Lethbridge, AB Canada) that she sent into our 2012 Quick Christmas Recipe Contest. It's a great traditional cucumber salad from her Oma.

Karen's Oma's Gurkensalat

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber
• 3 green onions or sweet white onion sliced
• 4-6 radishes sliced
• ½ tsp chopped fresh parsley
• ½ tsp chopped dill
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp granulated sugar
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Slice cucumber with or without skin
• Add sliced onion, radishes, and herbs.
• Make dressing and pour over veggies.
• Let sit in the fridge for at least an hour, stir before serving.
• Serves about 4 people

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