Creamy German Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep cucumber salad from getting 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.

Salt – It draws moisture out of the cucumbers, giving them a crisp, pickle-like texture. It also makes the flavors in this salad pop!

Some people like to rinse the salt off or dab the cucumbers dry afterwards, but whether you choose to is entirely up to you.

Enhance the taste of cucumbers by incorporating herbs and spices. Sprinkle freshly chopped mint, basil, cilantro, or dill over sliced cucumbers to add a burst of freshness. Additionally, spices like black pepper, cumin, or paprika can provide a subtle kick to the cucumbers, making them more interesting and flavorful.

If the cucumbers still seem to have too much moisture after you've removed the seeds, salt them and let them sit for around 30 minutes. This will draw out any residual water that can be patted dry with a clean towel before tossing the cucumbers into the salad.

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.

The Keys to Crisp Lettuce

Lettuce needs good airflow with some moisture (but not too much!) to stay crisp. That's why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow air circulation while it's held in the fridge.

There is a core set of ingredients that you need to make salad dressings and vinaigrettes, including a fat such as olive oil, but if you find yours to have too much vinegar, add a touch of sweetness with sugar or any type of sweetener.

Pickles, or cucumbers preserved in vinegar, do more than add a crunchy, tangy bite to your favorite sandwich or burger. Pickled cucumbers also pack loads of vitamins and minerals in their vinegary brine.

In a large bowl combine oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt, garlic powder, pepper and red pepper flakes and whisk to combine. Add in the sliced cucumbers and fresh herbs and toss to combine. Let sit for about 10 minutes, season to taste and then serve.

What are the best cucumbers for salads? ›

Long English Cucumber

Long English Cucumbers have a good crunch with thin, delicate skin that's easy to digest. The best part: you don't even need to peel them—just slice 'em up and eat them as the perfect quick snack. This type of Cucumber is great in salads as well as a ton of other things, too!

It may be an old wives' tale, but rubbing pieces of cucumber together is said to pull some of the cucurbitacin to the surface. You can also salt your cucumbers to help even out the taste. Salted cucumbers have been my favorite snack since I was a little girl.

Spices: Cucumbers pair well with spices such as black pepper, cumin, and coriander. Fruits: Cucumbers pair well with fruits such as tomatoes, watermelon, and berries. Meats: Cucumbers pair well with meats such as chicken, salmon, and tuna. Seafood: Cucumbers pair well with seafood such as shrimp, crab, and oysters.

What Makes Cucumbers Bitter? A specific compound called cucurbitacin is responsible for the bitter flavor. "Cucurbitacin is generally more concentrated in the skin and towards the stem end of the fruit," says Tucker Taylor, director of culinary gardens at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens in Sonoma County.

Salt: Salt helps draw out excess moisture from cucumbers to make them less watery, ensuring that the final sandwich doesn't end up soggy.

The method is simple: Simply slice them lengthwise into wedges and place them in a jar or tall glass standing upwards. Fill the jar with water all the way to the top of the cucumbers and stick the jar in the fridge. After about a day or so, you should notice the cucumber slices have become crisper than before.