German-Inspired Cucumber Salad with Feta and Mint 🥒

Atsuko

July 13, 2025

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Atsuko

Founder of @Umami Sans Frontières

This German cucumber salad (Gurkensalat) with feta and mint is light, tangy, and full of fresh summer flavor. Made with salt-marinated cucumber slices, a sweet and tangy vinaigrette, creamy feta cheese, and fresh mint, it’s inspired by the classic German salad with a bright Mediterranean twist. This cucumber salad pairs well with almost any main dish, making it a great side for both meat and fish. If you’re short on time, simply leave out the feta and mint for a classic German-style cucumber salad that’s quick and easy to make. Served well chilled, it’s the perfect side dish for hot summer days, with crisp cucumber bringing a refreshing, cooling bite to every meal.

Expense

💵

Preparation

25 mins

Baking time

Rest Time

Ingredients

Cooking time: About 25 minutes

Ingredients:

For 3 – 4 people:

400g cucumber
About 50g feta cheese
Mint leaves

Dressing:

1/3 teaspoon salt (for prepping the cucumber)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or vinegar of your choice)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Plenty of dill (to taste)
A pinch of salt

How to make it:

1. Prepare the Cucumber:

Wash the cucumber and peel it in stripes using a vegetable peeler. Slice it thinly into rounds and place them in a bowl. Sprinkle with the salt and gently rub it into the cucumber by hand. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to draw out the excess moisture.

2. Make the Dressing:

Finely chop the dill. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, your choice of vinegar (or lemon juice), olive oil, a pinch of salt, black pepper, and the chopped dill. Mix well until combined.

3. Combine and Chill:

Squeeze the excess water from the cucumber slices, then add them to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat evenly. Chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

At this stage, you already have a classic German cucumber salad (Gurkensalat).

4. Plate and Finish:

Arrange the chilled cucumber salad on a serving dish. Crumble the feta cheese over the top by hand, then scatter the torn mint leaves over the salad as a fresh finishing touch.

🌟Little Things That Make a Big Difference🌟

⭐️ Choose your favorite vinegar:

I like to use apple cider vinegar in the dressing, but white wine vinegar or lemon juice also work beautifully. Feel free to adjust the acidity to suit your taste.

⭐️ Crumble or cube the feta:

Crumbling feta by hand is quick and easy, but cutting it into small cubes (about 1 cm) can give your salad a cleaner, more structured look. Try both and see what suits your plating style best.

⭐️ Add freshness with mint:

You can simply scatter whole mint leaves, but chopping them just before serving helps release their aroma and adds a fresh, cooling touch—especially perfect for warm weather. 🌿

⭐️ German cucumbers are big!:

In Germany, cucumbers are often much larger than the ones commonly found in Japan 🥒 sometimes even two or three times the size! They’re also affordable and widely available, making them perfect for generous salads like this one.

⭐️ Peel the cucumber—or not:

Whether or not to peel the cucumber is up to you. I personally prefer to peel it because I’m not fond of the tough texture of the skin. But if you like the added bite and color, feel free to leave it on.

⭐️ Great as a quick side dish:

This cucumber salad is inspired by the classic German “Gurkensalat.” It’s simple, quick to prepare, and pairs well with almost any main dish. The slightly sweet dressing has become a family favorite in our home. 😋

⭐️ Looking for a Complete Meal?

This cucumber salad pairs beautifully with one of my favorite fish dishes. If you’re looking for another easy meal idea, be sure to check out the recipe below. 😊

👉 White Fish with Bacon Finkenwerder Style 🇩🇪