German Cucumber-Dill Salad (Gurkensalat)

By
Jennifer McGavin
Jennifer McGavin
Jennifer McGavin learned to cook German food while living in Germany for 11 years and has worked in the food industry for many years.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/12/23
German Cucumber-Dill Salad (Gurkensalat) in a white bowl

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 15 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
22 Calories
0g Fat
5g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 22
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 134mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 7%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 84mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This German cucumber-dill salad, called gurkensalat, is a refreshing summer salad that goes well with many types of meat, especially pork. The dressing is a winning combination of vinegar and sugar for a refreshing side dish. The mixture also makes a flavorful addition to a chicken salad or tuna salad sandwich.

You can leave out the fresh dill and/or red onion and still get a delicious salad. A similar salad from Thailand uses rice vinegar and adds a spicy component with the addition of chiles, while a Greek version adds oregano instead of dill and a salty hit from feta cheese.

Gurkensalat pairs nicely with a range of pork main dishes. Try serving alongside braised pork and cabbage, German-style boneless mustard pork chops, or a showstopping stuffed pork loin. 

Ingredients

  • 1 seedless English cucumber, long and skinny, or 2 Persian cucumbers

  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, or white vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced and broken into rings, optional

  • 3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for German cucumber-dill salad (gurkensalat) gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  2. Rinse and dry the cucumber. With unwaxed, seedless cucumbers, you can leave part or all of the skin on in strips, which looks attractive when you cut it and actually helps hold the slices together. Other varieties should be peeled and seeded first.

    English cucumber on a cutting board

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  3. Using a mandoline, a food processor with the thin slicer attachment, or the slicer opening on a cheese grater, thinly slice the cucumber(s). They should be almost see-through. Set aside.

    Thin slices of cucumber on a cutting board

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  4. Make the dressing by placing the vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a serving bowl and whisk until the sugar completely dissolves.

    Vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a white bowl for cucumber salad dressing

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  5. Add the sliced cucumber, red onion rings, and chopped dill (if using) and then toss well. Marinate for 5 or more minutes, toss again, and serve.

    German cucumber-dill salad (Gurkensalat) in a white bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Tips

  • Look for seedless English cucumbers, sometimes called simply "hothouse cucumbers," or Persian cucumbers for the best flavor and texture. Avoid standard grocery store cukes if possible—they tend to be seedy and watery and turn mushy when you marinate them.
  • If you use a regular cucumber, peel completely and cut in half lengthwise. Remove most of the seeds since they tend to be tougher than hothouse or Persian cucumbers. Slice.
  • If you're including the red onion, you can soak the slices in hot water for a few minutes and drain before adding to the salad. This helps remove a little of the bite from the onion and can help avoid onion breath.
  • Serve at room temperature or put it in the fridge for a couple of hours and serve cold.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days, but after a prolonged time in the marinade, the cucumbers will start to break down and lose their crunch.

Recipe Tags: