Grandma’s Secret Pennsylvania Dutch Cucumbers Recipe

Crunch and freshness dance together in this delightful pennsylvania dutch cucumbers recipe that brings summer’s bounty to your plate.

Cool, tangy slices mingle with a light, creamy dressing that captures traditional flavors.

Garden-fresh cucumbers become the star of this simple yet remarkable dish.

Generations have cherished these cool, crisp bites as a beloved side that pairs perfectly with hearty meals.

German-inspired culinary traditions shine through every refreshing forkful.

The recipe transforms humble ingredients into a delectable celebration of rural Pennsylvania cooking.

Prepare to savor a taste of heritage that connects you directly to classic comfort food.

Serve Pennsylvania Dutch Cucumbers Cool

• Garden Party Platter: Arrange cucumber salad on a rustic wooden board with fresh herbs sprinkled on top, creating a vibrant summer appetizer display.
• Picnic Perfect Side: Pack this cool cucumber dish in mason jars for outdoor meals, ensuring a refreshing accompaniment to sandwiches and grilled meats.
• Protein Pairing Power: Serve alongside grilled chicken, baked fish, or pulled pork to add a tangy, crisp counterpoint that balances rich main courses.
• Brunch Brilliance: Offer as a light, zesty side dish during weekend brunches, complementing egg dishes and providing a fresh palate cleanser.

Refrigerate Pennsylvania Dutch Cucumbers For Crunch

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store this cucumber salad in an airtight container to maintain crisp texture and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Keep chilled between 34-40°F for optimal freshness.
• Quick Meal Prep Hack: Prepare the cucumber mixture up to 2 days ahead, allowing flavors to intensify and develop deeper, more robust taste profiles while saving precious cooking time.
• Portion Control Tip: Divide salad into individual serving containers for grab-and-go lunches or picnic-ready side dishes that stay fresh and delicious throughout the day.
• Leftover Transformation Trick: Repurpose remaining cucumber salad as a zesty topping for grilled meats, sandwiches, or mixed into cold pasta salads to reduce food waste and create exciting new meal combinations.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 45 kcal

Servings: 5

Crunchy Ingredients For Pennsylvania Dutch Cucumbers

• Cucumbers: Select crisp, firm cucumbers with vibrant green color and no soft spots for maximum crunch and freshness.
• Onions: Choose sweet white or yellow onions with tight, papery skins to add a mild, tangy flavor to the salad.

• Vinegar: Adds bright, sharp acidity that helps tenderize the vegetables and enhance overall taste.
• Water: Helps dilute the vinegar and balance the dressing's intensity.
• Sugar: Provides a subtle sweetness that counteracts the vinegar's tanginess and rounds out the flavor profile.

• Salt: Draws out moisture from cucumbers and intensifies the overall taste of the dish.
• Black Pepper: Introduces a gentle warmth and subtle heat to the cucumber salad.
• Celery Seed: Optional ingredient that brings a nutty, herbaceous undertone to the recipe.
• Dill: Optional herb that contributes a fresh, slightly tangy flavor complementing the cucumber's coolness.

Tools To Pickle Pennsylvania Dutch Cucumbers

• Medium bowl: Perfect for mixing cucumbers and onions.
• Small bowl: Ideal for whisking together dressing ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential for blending vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and pepper smoothly.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing cucumbers and onions thinly.
• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping vegetables.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Help accurately measure dressing ingredients.

Steps To Make Dutch Cucumber Salad

• Slice Fresh Veggies

Grab crisp cucumbers and sweet onions. Use a sharp knife to create paper-thin slices that will soak up delicious flavors.

• Whip Up Magic Dressing

In a small mixing bowl, blend tangy vinegar with water, sugar, salt, and a sprinkle of pepper. For an extra punch, toss in some celery seed or fresh dill.

• Marry Ingredients Together

Pour the zesty dressing over your veggie slices. Give everything a gentle toss so each piece gets coated with the mouthwatering liquid.

• Let Flavors Dance

Cover your cucumber mix and slide it into the refrigerator. Let it chill for at least an hour, allowing the ingredients to mingle and create a refreshing, cool side dish. Give it a quick stir right before serving to wake up those incredible flavors.

Tips To Keep Cucumbers Zingy And Crisp

• Quick Chilling Trick: Chill the cucumbers and bowl in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before mixing to create an extra crisp and refreshing salad.
• Fresh Herb Boost: Sprinkle fresh chopped dill, chives, or parsley just before serving to elevate the flavor profile and add vibrant color to the dish.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Replace sugar with honey or stevia for a diabetic-friendly version that maintains the sweet-tangy balance of the original recipe.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This salad tastes even better after 24 hours of marinating, allowing the flavors to fully develop and intensify in the refrigerator.
• Texture Variation: For added crunch, mix in thinly sliced radishes or julienned bell peppers to create a more complex and interesting side dish.

Crisp Pennsylvania Dutch Cucumbers Recipe

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• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy Pennsylvania Dutch Cucumbers showcase traditional Amish culinary simplicity with crisp cucumber slices bathed in a tangy sour cream dressing. Cool cucumber salad lovers will appreciate this refreshing side dish that pairs perfectly with hearty summer meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cucumbers (large)
• ½ onion (small, white or yellow)
• ½ cup (120 ml) white vinegar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp celery seed or fresh dill (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Peel cucumbers into thin, translucent slices using a sharp vegetable peeler, ensuring crisp and firm texture for maximum marinade absorption.
2. Onion Processing: Slice onions into delicate, uniform semi-transparent rings or half-moons to guarantee consistent flavor distribution throughout the salad.
3. Vegetable Combination: Gently mix cucumber and onion slices in a spacious mixing bowl, carefully separating layers to prevent clumping and ensure even coating.
4. Dressing Creation: Whisk white vinegar with water, incorporating sugar, salt, and black pepper to craft a balanced, tangy liquid that will elevate the salad’s flavor profile.
5. Flavor Enhancement: Integrate optional aromatic elements like celery seed or dried dill to amplify the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch essence, stirring until sugar completely dissolves.
6. Marination Process: Drench vegetables with prepared dressing, using a soft spatula to fold and coat each slice thoroughly, ensuring comprehensive flavor integration.
7. Chilling and Resting: Seal container with a tight lid, refrigerate for at least one hour to allow ingredients to marinate and develop a harmonious taste, creating a refreshing and crisp side dish.

Notes

• Cucumber Crispness Check: Select firm, unblemished cucumbers without soft spots to maintain the salad’s signature crunch and fresh texture.
• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp knife or mandoline to create uniform, thin cucumber and onion slices, ensuring even marination and consistent flavor in every bite.
• Marination Magic: Allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours, but avoid exceeding 24 hours to prevent cucumbers from becoming too watery or losing their crisp texture.
• Flavor Flexibility: Experiment with alternative vinegars like apple cider or rice vinegar for a subtle twist, and consider adding fresh herbs like chopped chives or parsley for an extra layer of freshness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 45
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg