Creamy Cucumber and Dill Salad
A refreshing German-style cucumber salad with a creamy sour cream dressing, fresh dill, and a hint of tangy vinegar. Perfect for summer meals and easy to prepare in about 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: German
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium English cucumbers (about 1 pound / 450 g), thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: 1 small shallot, finely minced
Instructions
- Wash and dry the cucumbers. Using a sharp knife or mandoline, slice them thinly (about 1/8 inch / 3 mm thick). Optionally peel partially or fully if skin is thick.
- Place cucumber slices in a colander, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- Gently pat the cucumber slices dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, white wine vinegar, sugar, black pepper, and minced shallot (if using) until smooth and slightly fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Stir the chopped fresh dill into the dressing.
- Fold the cucumber slices gently into the dressing, coating evenly. Taste and adjust salt or pepper as needed.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
- Before serving, gently stir the salad and sprinkle extra fresh dill on top for presentation.
Notes
Salting cucumbers before mixing draws out excess water to prevent sogginess. Use fresh dill for best flavor. The salad tastes better after resting at least 30 minutes and can be made up to 24 hours ahead. For dairy-free, substitute sour cream with plant-based yogurt or vegan sour cream. Avoid microwaving; serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (150 g)
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3.5
Keywords: cucumber salad, creamy cucumber salad, dill salad, German cucumber salad, summer salad, easy salad recipe, fresh cucumber salad