German Cucumber-Dill Salad

I do not know why, but Germans love a good cucumber salad. And this German Cucumber-Dill Salad is no exception whatsoever.

Traditionally, this recipe is made with sour creme, vinegar, and sugar. I decided to ditch all that and create a version that tastes exactly like it but only using whole foods. Does it work? Totally! It is absolutely delicious but also foregoes any dairy. Which means that during the longer summer months, you do not have to worry about it standing a tad longer in the heat than might be necessary (obviously within reason and with caution).

Cucumbers are a perfect spring/summer staple. Why? First off, if you grow them yourself they are fairly easy and “forgiving”. They tend to grow quickly and do not need a lot of care other than a fertile soil and a bit of water. They also tend to grow quite fast, so that when done correctly you can have cucumber pretty much all summer long. In addition, they are incredibly cooling and a great “cold” food to add to your rota so that you are cooling from the inside out.

Why Is This German Cucumber-Dill Salad Good For You?

Cucumbers

Botanically a fruit, cucumbers are most often used in the kitchen as a vegetable. Cucumbers are high in vitamin C, K, magnesium, potassium, and manganese. Cucumbers are also incredibly high in water. About 96% of the plant is water content only. Cucumbers are rich in antioxidants, particularly likely in the flavonoids and tannins kind. These two have been proven to be particularly effective at blocking harmful free radicals. In addition, vitamin C (as we likely well know by now) performs a double-duty of being both a vitamin and an antioxidant at the same time. This, too, supports the elimination of free radicals and lowers overall oxidative stress on your body. As with most fruits and vegetables, a lot of the antioxidants sit directly under the skin, so be sure to leave the skin on as often as possible.

Because of cucumber’s high water content, they can add to hydration. This is particularly beneficial in the summer months when we are sweating more and hydration is particularly important. Said hydration can also be important for regular bowel movements. The fiber found in cucumber further promotes this cause. Last but not least, there have been several test studies – both in human and animal form – that suggest that cucumber may control and stabilize blood sugar levels. Why that is exactly the case has not been fully elaborated yet. Altogether, though, this is a really easy vegetable (fruit) to add to your plate with excellent and delicious health benefits!

How can I adjust this German Cucumber-Dill Salad recipe to my dietary requirements?

This recipe is completely whole food based, which makes it gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, nut-free, and paleo-friendly.

Similar Recipes on the Blog

There are so many recipes with delicious cucumber on the blog!! Be sure to also check out the following recipes:

• Cooling Cucumber Soup
• Middle Eastern Inspired Millet and Chickpea Salad
• Refreshing Corn Salad with Lime Dressing
• Easiest Yummy Chickpea Salad
• Easy, Simple Summer Salad

And there you have it for this week! I hope you are enjoying this absolutely delicious and nutritious recipe. It is the perfect spring and summer staple. As always, please let me know what you think by either rating the recipe and/or commenting below. I love hearing from you!

German Cucumber-Dill Salad

5 from 1 vote

Recipe by Ann Robejsek Course: SideCuisine: GermanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Tangy, sweet, sour, easy to make, and oh-so-refreshing – this German Cucumber-Dill salad is the perfect staple during warmer months. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 1 cucumber

• 25 gr. 25 dill

• 1/3 cup 1/3 (57 gr.) sunflower seeds

• 1/3 cup 1/3 (80 ml.) water

• 1 tablespoon 1 white wine vinegar

• 1 tsp 1 mustard

• 3/4 tsp 3/4 salt

• Pepper to taste

How to

• Cover the sunflower seeds with boiling water and set aside
• Wash the cucumber and finely slice, I used a medallion for this part, and add to a bowl. Wash and chop the dill and add to the cucumber
• Drain the sunflower seeds and add with the water, white wine vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper to a small high speed blender. Blend until super smooth. Add to the cucumber and dill and mix everything through. Serve and enjoy!!