This refreshing, creamy cucumber salad recipe has been passed down through my family for decades. Hungarian cucumber salad with sour cream is a versatile side that pairs well with just about any main dish!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Grandma's Uborkasaláta
- Hungarian Cucumber Salad Ingredients
- The Spice House Hungarian Sweet Paprika
- Cucumber Salad Variations
- How To Make Cucumber Salad
- How To Make The Sour Cream Salad Dressing
- Versatile Sour Cream Dressing
- Fresh Cucumber Salad Recipe Pairings
- Printable Recipe ↓
- More Authentic Hungarian Recipes
Let me introduce you to what may be my all-time favorite simple side dish - Hungarian cucumber salad!
This light, creamy cucumber salad with sour cream has been a staple at family gatherings, holidays, potlucks/cookouts, and summer parties (and on our dinner table for absolutely no special reason at all) for as long as I can remember.
What makes this easy cucumber salad recipe so special? It's hard to put a finger on just ONE thing.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- A tangy sour cream dressing perfectly complements the cool and crisp cucumbers and onions.
- The creamy sour cream cucumbers combo gets deliciously frothy and foamy when whisked together.
- Top it off with a generous sprinkle of authentic Hungarian sweet paprika, and it's a total. flavor. explosion.
- Added bonus? It's a low carb cucumber salad!
Traditionally, cucumber salad was served as a summer side dish. Aside from being a light and cooling side, this was mainly because fresh cucumbers were only available between May and August.
But these days, grocery stores carry cucumbers year-round. Which means we can enjoy them any time of the year!
Fun Fact
Grandma's Uborkasaláta
My Hungarian grandmother always referred to this dish as simply uborkasaláta. Which translates to "cucumber salad" in Hungarian, so she wasn't WRONG... But it's also not technically right, either.
Because there ARE traditional Hungarian cucumber salad recipes without sour cream. Since this creamy salad is made with tejföl (sour cream), tejfölös uborkasaláta would be a more appropriate name for it.
Hungarian Cucumber Salad Ingredients
This creamy cucumber and onion salad uses just 5 simple ingredients. Starting with fresh, crisp cucumbers, of course!
- 🥒 Cucumbers: For the most authentic flavor, choose regular slicing cucumbers. However, I prefer to use English cucumbers since they're nearly seedless. In either case, look for firm cucumbers with a rich, medium-to-dark green color. Avoid any with wrinkles, blemishes, soft spots, or yellow spots.
Additional Key Ingredients
- 🧅 Yellow onions: Raw onion provides a savory bite that contrasts nicely with the delicate cucumber flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount based on your tolerance. I prefer to use only half a small onion and slice it *very* thinly. You can substitute a white onion, but I don't recommend using red onion in this recipe.
- 🥛 Sour cream: For the most traditional flavor, choose a high-quality, full-fat sour cream. My fave? I always use the Daisy brand. I love the extra-creamy, smooth consistency it gives the sour cream dressing!
- 🍎 Apple cider vinegar: White vinegar or white wine vinegar may be substituted in a pinch, but I recommend ACV. The less-sour flavor profile perfectly complements the cucumbers and sour cream.
- 🧂 Hungarian sweet paprika: Sweet paprika's rich, earthy flavor is essential in this and many other Hungarian recipes. For the most authentic taste, look for a high-quality imported brand. I like this single-ingredient Hungarian sweet paprika from The Spice House.
TOP PICK
The Spice House Hungarian Sweet Paprika
My favorite Hungarian sweet paprika comes from The Spice House. Its complex, bright, and bold profile takes my favorite Hungarian dishes to a whole new flavor-packed level. The difference is truly shocking!
Cucumber Salad Variations
It's typical to find many ingredient variations in heirloom recipes that have been handed down for generations. This Hungarian cucumber salad is authentic to how my family has always prepared it.
But it's possible your family's cucumber onion salad recipe is quite different. And if so, I'd love for you to share it in the comments. I'm always open to trying new versions!
A few variations I've come across:
- garlic or shallots - minced garlic cloves or shallots are often added with or in place of the onion
- sugar - Hungarians are known for adding a pinch of sugar savory dishes to impart a unique touch of sweetness
- olive oil - some recipes add olive oil to the cucumber salad dressing
- Hungarian wax peppers - adding chopped wax peppers sounds like a delicious way to add a spicy kick!
- dill - many recipes include fresh dill or dried dill weed
Dill seems to be a more common addition in Polish cucumber salad recipes. My Polish mother-in-law's sour cream cucumber salad definitely includes it.
I've noticed a lot of overlap between Polish and Hungarian cuisines. Like Haluski vs. Haluska, as I mentioned in my cabbage and noodles recipe.
How To Make Cucumber Salad
Step one in this creamed cucumber recipe is to extract the excess water from the cucumbers. DON'T SKIP THIS!!
Cucumbers contain a LOT of water. Removing as much water as possible is essential to keep the sour cream dressing from becoming watery.
Sprinkling the sliced cucumbers and onions with salt helps soften them and draws out excess water. Then you can squeeze as much liquid as possible from the mixture.
Here's the step-by-step process:
- Start by peeling the cucumbers. Then slice both the cucumbers and the onion very thinly.
I use a knife to trim the tops off the cucumbers and then make paper-thin slices by hand. Just like my grandma did! My husband prefers to use this vegetable chopper/slicer. You can also use a mandoline or a food processor if you prefer. - Place the sliced cucumbers and onions in a bowl. Toss the cucumber/onion medley with a generous sprinkle of kosher salt.
- Set the bowl aside to allow the mixture to marinate for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. I use this downtime to prepare the simple sour cream salad dressing.
- After about 30 minutes have passed, squeeze as much water as possible out of the cucumber onion mixture.
I find it's easiest to dump the mixture into a colander set in the kitchen sink. Reach in and grab large handfuls of cucumber and onion. Squeeze hard with both hands to wring out as much liquid as you can. - Place the squeezed cucumbers and onions back in the mixing bowl to be combined with the dressing.
Following these steps should keep your cuke salad creamy and delicious!
How To Make The Sour Cream Salad Dressing
This tangy sour cream dressing is shockingly delicious for having so few ingredients. AND it's ridiculously easy to make!
Start by stirring the sour cream and apple cider vinegar together. Then whisk a couple of tablespoons of water into the sour cream and vinegar mixture. Finally, season the dressing with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
That's all there is to it! Then I pop it in the fridge until the cucumbers and onions are ready to go.
Use a fork to vigorously stir the sour cream dressing into the cucumber-onion mixture. Once well mixed, the dressing should look frothy and foamy. Transfer the creamy cucumbers to an airtight container and chill for at least two hours.
QUICK TIP
Versatile Sour Cream Dressing
This light and tangy sour cream dressing recipe is super versatile. If you thin it down with some milk or a little water, it becomes a great all-purpose creamy salad dressing.
It's my favorite way to dress a simple green salad in the summertime. Especially one made with fresh greens picked straight from the garden... SO GOOD!!
Fresh Cucumber Salad Recipe Pairings
This creamy cucumber recipe is a perfect side dish for any meaty main dish. But thanks to the combination of cool cucumbers and sour cream, it pairs especially well with spicy dishes.
It's best served well-chilled, preferably with plenty of additional Hungarian paprika sprinkled over the top. At least that's MY preference - my kids prefer only a little paprika. But at least they're a fan of cucumber salads!
Printable Recipe ↓
Hungarian Cucumber Salad With Sour Cream
Ingredients
- 3 English cucumbers, peeled and sliced very thin
- ½ small yellow onion, sliced very thin
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
For the sour cream dressing:
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Hungarian sweet paprika, to taste
Instructions
- Peel cucumbers. Slice into very thin rounds, and slice onions thinly across the grain.
- Place cucumbers and onions in a large bowl, sprinkle with kosher salt, and toss to combine. Allow them to marinate for about 30 minutes.
- While the cucumbers set, prepare the sour cream dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, apple cider vinegar, water, salt, and freshly ground pepper to taste. Refrigerate dressing until ready to use.
- After about 30 minutes have passed, spoon the cucumber and onion mixture into a colander set in the kitchen sink to drain. Grab handfuls of it and squeeze as much water out as you can, placing each handful back in the mixing bowl after squeezing.
- Pour the sour cream dressing over the cucumber onion mixture. Using a fork, mix cucumbers and sour cream mixture vigorously until well-combined, frothy, and foamy. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, season cucumber salad with additional salt and pepper to taste. If desired, transfer the salad to a clean serving bowl. Sprinkle Hungarian sweet paprika over top. Serve well-chilled.
Recipe Notes
Featured Products
More Authentic Hungarian Recipes
If you like this cucumber salad recipe, you might also enjoy these other delicious Hungarian recipes:
- Hungarian Fried Cabbage and Noodles (Haluska)
- Hungarian Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad (Paradicsomsaláta)
- Hungarian Pork Paprikash (Sertés Paprikás)
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your sour cream cucumber salad turns out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Andy Gibbs says
I made this and it was spot on to what my mom makes. I used a tea towel to squeeze the cucumbers and onions. Put a handful or two into the towel. Close up the ends to form a sack. Twist the bottom and use the pressure from the towel to squeeze. It’s much easier on your hands and gets more water out.
Susan says
Being from a Hungarian home we use the simple recipe for uborka salat. After salting and wringing out the cucumber and onion we pour in vinegar. Not everyone likes it with sour cream so we serve that on the side. Many different regions in Hungary and many different versions of the same dish.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Serving it with the sour cream on the side is a great option!
Donna-lyn says
WOW cut all the dialog and get to the recipe!!!!!
I made it...delicious
Tara Kuczykowski says
So glad you loved it, Donna-lyn! And I appreciate the feedback. Unfortunately, Google needs all of the dialog in order to to rank a recipe in search. However, I do provide a button that allows you to jump straight to the recipe at the top of each post.
Cindy Schneider says
I am so happy to have found this website with some of the delicious recipes my Hungarian grandmother used to make. She used to serve the fried cabbage with her homemade noodles and tomato soup with a dollop of sour cream on top. Thank you so much
Tara Kuczykowski says
So happy you found it, Cindy! I have more to share, so check back.
Shadeslove aka BR says
Similar to my families Hungarian Cukes & Sour Cream Recipe.
Though we don't use onion, but minced/crushed garlic.
Wash 3-4 cucumbers. Cut from vine end & taste a small slice until its sweetish tasting & not bitter. Then skin cucumbers, using lowest setting on mandolin thinly slice cucumbers.
Place in non reactive bowl (Glass or plastic), add iodized salt, crushed 3-4 garlic cloves, (if small use more. Need medium to large clove.) apple cider vinager, little water.
Toss cucumbers in sauce, occasionally for next 20-30 minutes. Taste a small piece, should be slightly vinagery, salty & garlicky.
When it's marinaded long enough. Squeeze cucumbers to rid excessive water & place in new bowl. Add 2-4 tablespoon sour cream. Refrigerate until time to serve, or remove 10 minutes early, so its still slightly chilled.
You can uses Regular cucumbers, English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers. With regular cucumbers, I try to find slimmer cucumbers to reduce seeds. English, I use usually 1-2 cucumbers, since they are so much bigger than regular cucumbers. Persian cucumbers, I will clean the whole container cucumbers, because they are so small.
Note that English & Persian, do not need to be skinned or have the bitter/sweet taste test. Regular (Pole) cucumbers need this because at the vine end can have a bitter section & if you skin or cut down the cucumber before ridding it of the bitter end, you'll spread the bitterness throughout the rest of the cucumber.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Thanks for sharing! I will definitely have to try swapping the onions for garlic sometime. That's a great tip for the cucumbers — I don't like a lot of seeds in mine, either.
Barbara Bodner says
This is how my mom made her cucumber salad. she would make it along with breaded chicken and mashed potatoes. My favorite comfort meal!!!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Sounds fantastic, Barbara! I just made it recently for Easter, and I can't wait until I can get good local cucumbers at the farmer's market.
Timea says
That’s exactly what I’m making.
Violet says
I just made this tonight! My favorite salad. I use a mandolin to slice it very thin and it works quickly. I also will substitute green onion for the yellow sometimes as my hubby is not very fond of raw onions. I made chicken parikash with noki to go along with it, My favorite Hungarian meal! It was fantastic!
Denise says
My dad always made it with green/spring onions too. I love the variatons on it
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Ooh, I'll have to try that. Thanks for the suggestion, Denise!