German Cucumber Salad Recipe - Gurkensalat (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep cucumber salad from getting watery? ›

The solution: The standard recommendation for ridding watery vegetable such as cucumbers of unwanted moisture is to salt them. The salt draws out the liquid from the vegetable because of the natural tendency of salt water solutions to equalize when mixed together.

I like to use English cucumbers in this recipe because they have thin, delicate skins and nearly undetectable seeds. No need to peel! Red onion – For savory bite. White wine vinegar – It gives the salad a delicious tangy kick.

Emergence of Gurkensalat: The specific dish known as Gurkensalat, or cucumber salad, likely developed in Germany and other parts of Central Europe. Cucumber salads gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries as a refreshing Side Dish, particularly during the warm summer months.

Why is my cucumber salad frothy? This happens when the cucumbers release the moisture within them. It's completely normal and doesn't change the taste of the salad. Stir the salad, and if desired, add in more sour cream to thicken it up.

The secret to this incredible cucumber salad is salting the cucumbers for 30 minutes. As they sit, the cucumbers become even more “cucumbery” and release extra moisture, which, if not removed, would make the vinegar dressing watery.

When you salt cucumber pieces or slices and let them sit for 30 minutes in a colander, the salt draws out excess moisture which then drains away. This means that the cucumber will release less water into whatever dish you're adding it to, such as tzatziki, tabbouleh, Greek salad, or potato salad.

Ways to Make Cucumbers Less Bitter

Since cucurbitacin tends to be concentrated in the stem end and just under the skin, Ian Beger, resident agronomist of Castle Hot Springs, recommends cutting off the stem end and peeling the cucumber as an easy way to eliminate most of the bitterness.

Striped Armenian (aka Painted Serpent)

Striped Armenian is one of the sweetest cucumbers. It has small seeds and thin skin. Though it looks like a cucumber, it is actually a melon—a species of Cucumis.

noun. (Salat)gurke f.

Bottom Line. Toss any slimy cucumbers, because the slime is a sign that they have begun to rot. To use up your fresh cucumbers before it's too late, make them the star of a simple Cucumber Sandwich or pair them with other crunchy veggies, like in this recipe for Loaded Cucumber & Avocado Sandwiches.

Why are my cucumbers slimy in my salad? ›

The light-white or clear coating of slime you may find on your cucumbers is a sign that the rotting process has begun, and it's just matter of time before they totally spoil.

Once you've washed and wrapped them, the best way to store cucumbers is in the crisper drawer (a.k.a. produce drawer) of your fridge, set on high humidity with the fan closed. High humidity helps the ethylene-sensitive fruit retain moisture and keeps it from wilting.

Storing cucumbers below fifty degrees Fahrenheit can cause chilling injuries, such as mushy spots and faster spoilage. If you cannot store cucumbers in the crisper drawer, store them in the warmest part of the fridge, toward the front.

To avoid soggy cucumber sandwiches with little added prep time or effort, all you need to do is give them a quick salt. The reason this simple method works is due to osmosis, which draws out the veggie's excess water.