A fresh, cool cucumber salad recipe made healthier by replacing sour cream with yogurt. This Polish favorite is a great way to use up those extra garden cucumbers you have been gifted and a perfect accompaniment to spicy dishes and BBQ. Onions, herbs and lemon juice makes this salad recipe a refreshing snack or perfect side.
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Sometimes you just need some back-pocket recipes for cucumbers. Whether you grow your own cucumbers and need to come up with creative ideas on how to eat them or you are gifted a bushel over the backyard fence.
This cucumber recipe is easy to remember and easy to make, I’m looking at you Bianca. It is also known as a ‘cooling salad’ or a salad that is used to compliment a spicy dish, especially if it’s a fiery one. Thai Cucumber Salad is famous for this. These cooling salads can also be used as a palate cleanser. Something that gets you ready for the next spicy dish.
Another reason to make this salad is that cucumbers a really good for you. Scroll to the bottom for some tips and info on amazing benefits of cucumber.
What is Polish Cucumber Salad?
Polish Cucumber Salad is a quick, no fuss dish, traditionally made with dill, sour cream and fresh herbs, usually dill. Frequently salt, sugar and an acid is added. It is also known as Mizeria, the Polish name for misery.
The story of Mizeria is a legend of Queen Bon Sforza, an Italian princess that was betrothed to King Sigismund I of Poland in the 16th century. It is believed the homesick Italian Queen would cry whenever she ate cucumbers as it reminded her of her homeland where cucumbers were plenty.
How do you make Cucumber Salad?
This easy recipe for Mizeria can be broken down into three steps.
- Extract the water from the cucumber – This can be achieved through salting and either blotting or wrapping the cucumber slices in a dish towel and squeeze the water out.
- Mix the dressing ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Add the cucumbers to the dressing and toss.
Tips for a better Polish Cucumber Salad
Choose smaller cucumbers, they are sweeter. Also
choose cucumbers that are seedless or have very
small seeds such as a hothouse cucumber. Use only a
touch of acid such as lemon juice or vinegar. Make
with yogurt instead of sour cream for a healthier version.
Ideas for serving.
Cucumber salad goes great with:
- Biriyani rice
- Satay
- Kebab
- Falafel
- Curry
- Tandoori
- Texas BBQ
- Shawarma
- Beef
- Pork
- Chicken
- Seafood
- So…basically anything, but especially spicy food.
Other Cucumber Salads From Around the World
- German – With chopped or sliced cucumbers add onion, tomatoes, sour cream, mustard, vinegar, herbs and sugar.
- Japanese – A simple salad with cucumber, rice vinegar, sugar and sesame seeds.
- Thai – A popular cooling salad using cucumbers mixed with rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, green onions and sprinkled with chopped peanuts.
- Mediterranean – Cucumber, feta cheese, kalamata olives, tomatoes and drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Hungarian – Also known as Uborkasaláta, very similar to Polish cucumber salad except they add paprika, of course!
Benefits of Cucumbers
- Huffington Poste has this article on 10 Amazing Health Benefits of Cucumbers. Have you ever heard of fisetin? Me neither. Apparently it may protect your brain from neurological diseases.
- Live Strong shares Health Benefit of Eating Cucumbers and breaks down the nutritional information.
- Blend up cucumber and plain yogurt and apply to face. Leave on 15 minutes before washing off. Cucumbers contain Vitamin C and caffeic acid, two antioxidants which help fend off wrinkles. Paired with the exfoliating properties of yogurt and you have yourself a cheap, natural do-it-yourself facial mask.
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Do you have any favorite cucumber recipes? Please share in the comments below, just in case our neighbors decide to plant 10 cucumber plants this year. Yikes!
If you do make this salad, snap a pic and post on Instagram with #FusionCraftiness so we can see. Let’s make this a good ole cucumber salad virtual par-tay…
Polish Cucumber Salad with Yogurt & Dill
A fresh, cool cucumber salad recipe made healthier by replacing sour cream with yogurt. This Polish favorite is a great way to use up those extra garden cucumbers you have been gifted and a perfect accompaniment to spicy dishes and BBQ. Onions, herbs and lemon juice makes this salad recipe a refreshing snack or perfect side.
Ingredients
- 1 english cucumber
- salt
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 Tbs dried dill
- 2 Tbs chives, fresh or dried
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1 tsp sugar
Instructions
- Slice cucumber very thin. Sprinkle with salt and set aside. If you have a cooling rack, use it and let the extra water drain off. If you don't have one, simply blot with a clean towel or paper towel.
- Place the rest of the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, mix well. Add cucumbers.
- Serve and garnish with more dill.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1/2 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 21Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 85mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g
Dana says
I am such a sucker for salads like this. Especially living in NC. It gets SO hot in the summer that sometimes it’s too hot to eat! In those cases, my husband and I *always* go for something with cucumbers. They’re just so cooling. Adding this to my list!
Tina says
Cucumbers are really amazing and versatile. I only really know them as a salad ingredient but there are soup recipes and actually really good for your skin. Let me know if you come across any good cucumber recipes Dana.
Sarah says
My mother in law gives us bags and bags of cucumbers each summer, and I’m never sure what to do with them all. This looks delicious! I love the creamy dressing- and my cucumber loving hubs would devour this!
Tina says
I can relate to having too many cucumbers. Ever year something goes wild in my garden, I still remember the year cucumbers did.
Megan Marlowe says
This cucumber salad looks fresh and delicious. It will be perfect and come in handy this summer when my garden is bursting with cucumbers. I also have dill and chives in my garden so this will be perfect for easy summertime salads!
Tina says
I am always on the lookout for cucumber recipes, let me know if you try any that you really like.
Carmy @ carmyy.com says
I’ve got yogurt, dill, AND chives in my kitchen! Guess this means I’m potentially making this polish cucumber salad once I get some cucumbers! I love that you shared the different types of cucumber salads too since I can make a couple for the week.
Tina says
I’m glad that was helpful Carmy, enjoy!
Marisa Franca says
Our kitchen is never without cucumbers. We buy the English cucumbers (3 pack) at the big box store. We eat it every day in our salad. I’ve made special cucumber salads only I used Greek Yogurt. I’m going to have to try some of your varieties.
Tina says
Have fun Marisa, Gloria has a Ukranian version which is almost identical to the Polish version. You’ll have to try both!
Kathy McDaniel says
I could eat cucumbers all day long and this recipe is a great one to use all my garden cucumbers. I love the use of yogurt in this recipe. So much lighter and refreshing.
Jennifer says
I LOVE cucumbers, but can you believe I have never made a cucumber salad? I am all over this! In the summer I need something light and refreshing to serve with BBQ and this is perfect!
Tina says
There are so many variations Jennifer, have fun with this one. I have only made Thai cucumber salad before. I’m a new fan of the cucumber.
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I had no idea there were so many ways to make a cucumber salad. I’ll add one more… my grandmother used to make it this way: Peel the cucumbers and grate them (don’t grate the seeds). Place cucumbers in a mesh strainer and drain the water, then toss in your favorite vinaigrette. We make this whenever we have spicy food.
Tina says
Oh Lisa, that sounds devine. I can picture all kinds of homemade vinaigrette with your grandmother’s recipe. Thanks so much for sharing that.
Gloria says
Well great minds think alike. I am Ukrainian, and I just did a version of this on my blog a couple of weeks ago. So easy and delicious….perfect for summer grilling season. Love when these simple recipes are often the best and most used of all.
Tina says
I just checked out your cucumber salad, the pickled onions are perfect. Wiki should use your recipe and that photo at the end, seriously, I love your photography. I didn’t know you are Ukrainian, did you get any family recipes handed down?
Anna says
Tina, I loved reading this and you’ve made this polish classic beautifully! Being born and raised in Poland, this salad was (and still is) on our table at least twice a week, and in the summer, probably every other day 🙂 You’ve brought back many happy memories to me with this post, thank you!
Tina says
Thanks Anna! That is very sweet of you to say. So glad you have fond memories of this salad.
Christine @ Happy Veggie Kitchen says
Looks amazing and so flavourful. I love using yogurt in place of sour cream, it’s so healthy! I’ll have to try this next time I cook something spicy at home because I always like to have a cooling side dish.
Tina says
It’s a great accompaniment to heavy or spice dishes, enjoy!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
What a cool, tasty and refreshing salad, absolutely perfect for summer!
Brian Jones says
You can add the Hungarian uborkasaláta to your list of alternatives 🙂 It is very similar to this in some places in Hungary… My wife loves it and orders it as a side every time we go out 🙂
Tina says
Done! Thanks for that info, I love paprika and I think that is a great addition to cucumber salad.
Natalie says
This cucumber yogurt dill salad sent me right into my childhood – my grandmother used to make something so similar! Looks so good and perfect for the summer ♥
Bianca says
This is great, I LOVE easy, healthy and low calorie. I think I’ll make this tonight, I’ll let you know how it goes. I usually substitute yogurt for sour cream so this is really right up my alley. Thanks!