Oma's Creamy German Cucumber Salad (Norddeutscher Gurkensalat)

by: Gerhild Fulson  / Oma Gerhild shares easy, authentic German recipes you can trust, rooted in family tradition and featured in her cookbooks.

Published: October 12, 2012, Updated: May 1, 2025

This northern German cucumber salad (gurkensalat) is one I make often. It’s fresh, creamy, and the perfect side to almost any meal.

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This is the first time my granddaughter made the German cucumber salad recipe. It turned out wunderbar!

This is the gurkensalat is one I grew up with (my Mutti's favorite) and I just can’t bring myself to change it. Every time I make it, it disappears fast, no matter how much I make. Good thing it’s quick and easy!

Top Tips for Best Results

1. Use Thin-Skinned Cucumbers: English or seedless cucumbers give the best texture
2. Salt and Drain: Let salted cucumbers sit for 10–15 minutes to release excess water
3. Adjust Creaminess: Start with less sour cream and add more to taste
4. Add Dill Generously: Fresh dill adds a traditional flavor punch
5. Vegan Hack: Use a plant-based sour cream or plain vegan yogurt for a dairy-free version

How I Prep Cucumber Salad (and Make It Ahead)

I usually use English cucumbers, and if the skin is nice and thin, I leave it on. It looks prettier and adds a bit of extra nutrition. I don’t bother scooping out the seeds or juice either. I like using the whole cucumber. No sense wasting the good stuff. If I want to make the salad ahead of time, there are two easy ways to do it:

• To make it ahead, slice the cucumbers and prep one of two ways:
• Option 1: Salt the slices, let sit for 1–2 hours, drain well, and pat dry. Add dressing (without salt) just before serving.
• Option 2: Slice cucumbers paper-thin and store them in the fridge. Keep the dressing separate. Mix right before serving.

Salad Without the Cream?

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Above is my cucumber salad popular in southern Germany, with a simple vinegar dressing that makes a very refreshing side dish that's perfect for buffets and picnics. It's also a perfect accompaniment to most meals. Here's the recipe.

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Oma's Creamy German Cucumber Salad (Norddeutscher Gurkensalat)

This northern German cucumber salad (gurkensalat) is one I make often. It’s fresh, creamy, and the perfect side to almost any meal.

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Cook Time:

none

Total Time:

10 minutes

Servings:

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced 
• ½ cup (120 g) sour cream 
• ½ teaspoon (1 g) dill, preferably fresh (or more to taste)
• 1½ teaspoons (7 ml) lemon juice
• 1½ teaspoons (6 g) granulated sugar
• salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Put the thin cucumber slices into a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
2. In a small bowl, mix the dressing ingredients: sour cream, dill, lemon juice, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate.
3. Just before serving, pour the creamy dressing over the thinly sliced cucumbers and mix.

Notes/Hints:

• If you have time, you can pre-slice the cucumbers and sprinkle them with a little salt and let them stand. Pour off the excess liquid by draining the slices in a sieve. Add the sour cream mixture to the drained cucumbers and mix.
• Use regular cucumbers or seedless cucumbers; if you use English cucumbers, there's no need to peel.
• Use apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or white wine vinegar instead of lemon juice.
• Use low-fat sour cream, plain yogurt, or Greek yogurt instead of the regular sour cream. Use vegan yogurt for a vegan version.
• My personal preference is to leave the salad as is, however any of the following would make great additions: thinly sliced raw onions, such as red onion, white onion, sweet onion, or green onions. Fresh chives are also delicious.
• Make variations of this recipe by experimenting with any of your favorite fresh herbs for a different taste.
• There are non-creamy versions of this delicious side dish that are popular in Southern Germany. Check out my version of a southern German cucumber salad.

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Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Recipe Updated: May 1, 2025

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 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
• ½ teaspoon chopped dill
• ½ cup (120 g) sour cream
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) milk
• ½ teaspoon 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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Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.