Amish Creamy Cucumber Salad
This creamy Amish cucumber salad is a cool and crisp summer side dish that is very easy and quick to make.
With an irresistible blend of onion, dill, and cucumbers combined with the creaminess of mayo or sour cream and the tang of vinegar, this is one of the best cucumber salad recipes ever!
It's a favorite side dish that pairs perfectly with a summer BBQ. But I also enjoy a bowl of creamy dill cucumber salad for lunch on any day of the week. It's so delicious and refreshing!
Fresh Garden Cucumbers
Cucumbers are one of the easiest vegetables to grow, and one plant yields a lot of fresh cucumbers. So every year I end up with an abundant crop that leaves me wondering what to do with all my cucumbers.
(I know, I could turn them into pickles and can them as my Amish mom did. But I haven't yet mastered perfect crispy pickles.)
Yesterday the UPS driver pulled in just as I was leaving the garden with an armload of fresh cucumbers, so I passed some of them on to him. And I'm always happy to share them with anyone who can use them.
So with my abundant crop, I make plenty of cucumber salad and sandwiches while the harvest lasts.
But the good news is that you don't have to wait for summer to make cucumber salad. You can also enjoy Amish cucumber salad at other times of the year since cucumbers are usually available in supermarkets year-round. The English and mini cucumbers are the best.
PA Dutch Creamy Cucumber Salad
There are different types of cucumber salad. And I also enjoy the vinegar/sugar/water-based cucumber salad. But if given a choice, I'll choose this old-fashioned cucumber salad with mayonnaise.
The cool creamy dressing pairs so well with cucumbers and is something to be desired.
This Pennsylvania Dutch cucumber salad includes mayonnaise, but if you are not a fan of mayo, you can replace it with sour cream. It will provide the same effect with a slightly different flavor.
Amish Cucumber Tomato Salad/German Cucumber Tomato Salad
I always have fresh garden tomatoes at the same time that my cucumbers are ready. And I love cucumber salad with halved cherry tomatoes.
So even though tomatoes are not included in the recipe, you can feel free to add tomatoes as desired.
Variations:
As with a lot of recipes, this cucumber salad recipe is also versatile. Feel free to add or subtract ingredients to make it to your liking.
You can use mayonnaise, sour cream, or plain Greek yogurt for the dressing. Any one of these will work.
Maybe you don't like raw onions, leave them out. Or if you don't want sweetened dressing, omit the sugar.
You can use fresh or dried dill (1 Tbsp. fresh dill = about 1 tsp. of dried dill). Or perhaps you don't care for the flavor of dill and want to leave it out.
And you could also add chopped chives if preferred.
So please don't hesitate to adjust the recipe and make it the way you and your family like it.
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How to Prepare Cucumbers for Salad?
Cucumber skin is nutritious, and I typically leave mine on.
But sometimes the peels can leave a bitter taste. So, if you prefer, peel some of it off in strips (score the cucumbers). It looks lovely and you still get some of the nutrition benefits.
But if you must, you can go ahead and remove all the peels. It's totally up to you.
I also do not like to use huge cucumbers. If they get too big, they are full of seeds. And smaller/young cucumbers always taste better.
But if you end up with huge cucumbers that are full of seeds, you can always cut them in half and scoop out the middle.
And the cucumbers can be cut according to your liking.
Most people will recommend thinly slicing them, perhaps even using a mandolin slicer. But a sharp knife with a cutting board works too.
And honestly, I often slice my cucumbers in quarters and chunk them. Especially if I'm adding tomatoes to the salad.
So it's up to the individual taste and what you prefer.
If you like Amish cucumber salad perhaps you'd like to try more Amish Salad Recipes...
Amish Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad Recipe
Seven-Layer Lettuce Salad with Peas Recipe
Best Amish Potato Salad Recipe
Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe with cooked dressing
Amish Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 - 5 medium-sized cucumbers
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/3 c. Mayonnaise
- 2 tsp. sugar
- 2 Tbsp. white vinegar
- 1/2 - 1 Tbsp. fresh dill weed
- 1/3 tsp. black pepper
- 1/3 c. thinly sliced sweet or red onion
Instructions
- Prepare cucumbers as desired (see the post above for more details).
- Sprinkle and toss with the salt. Place into a strainer and allow it to sit and strain for several minutes.4 - 5 medium-sized cucumbers, 1/2 tsp. salt
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix the Mayo, sugar, vinegar, dill, and black pepper. Add the onion and mix.1/3 c. Mayonnaise, 2 tsp. sugar, 2 Tbsp. white vinegar, 1/2 - 1 Tbsp. fresh dill weed, 1/3 tsp. black pepper, 1/3 c. thinly sliced sweet or red onion
- Just before serving, pour the dressing over the cucumbers and serve immediately.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator and eat it within a day or two.
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