Cucumber Dill Salad (Mizeria)

Name: Cucumber Dill Salad
Prep time: 2 min
Total time: 2 min
Ingredients: 1 cucumber; 4 tbsp sour cream; 2 tbsp fresh dill (chopped); 1 garlic clove (crushed); 2 tbsp cider vinegar; 1 pinch sea salt; 1 pinch ground black pepper

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If you're looking for a light and healthy side dish to accompany your meals - this Cucumber Dill Salad is it. A great way to use up lots of cucumbers if you are growing them - this will be a staple at BBQs and picnics. Ready in just 2 minutes and only 70 calories a portion.

A bowl of cucumber salad next to some bread sticks and a half cucumber

Cucumbers might not taste of much by themselves, but this cucumber based dish is full of flavour with the creamy sour cream and fresh dill. An easy to put together side dish that tastes far more indulgent than it is.

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Why should you try it?
What you will need
Step by step
Mizeria (Polish cucumber salad)
What else to add
What to serve it with
FAQs
Extra tips
More salad recipes
Recipe
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Why should you try it?

Only 70 calories per portion
Ready in less than 5 minutes
A lovely, light side dish
A good way to use up a glut of cucumbers

What you will need

Cucumber - Try to choose thin cucumbers with small seeds (or even a seedless variety).
Red onion - You can use white onion if you prefer, or even spring onions (scallions).
Fresh dill - Fresh is always best as dried dill just doesn't have the same taste.
Sour cream - This is the traditional ingredient, but if you want to save some calories you can use a low fat or fat free Greek yogurt.
Lemon juice - This adds a nice bit of acidity to the dish. You can leave it out if you like or use an apple cider vinegar for a more sour taste.

A bowl of sliced cucumber surrounded by bowls of dill, lemon juice, chopped onion and sour cream

Step by step

One: Slice the cucumber thinly. Season with salt.

Two: Add the rest of the ingredients.

A bowl of cucumber slices with chopped red onion and a dollop of sour cream

Three: Mix until it is completely coated with the sour cream. Refrigerate until serving.

Sliced cucumber mixed in a bowl with onion, cream and dill

Mizeria (Polish cucumber salad)

This recipe is based on Mizeria, a traditional Polish dish. Mizeria is normally made with sour cream, but you can use 0% Greek yogurt to keep it lower in calories.

Interesting fact: Mizeria is the Polish word for "misery". There is nothing miserable about this fresh, summery dish though, and Polish people do not associate the word with being miserable.

Slices of cucumber dressed in a creamy sauce with chopped onions and dill

What else to add

Traditionally, made with just cucumber, sour cream, lemon juice and dill, this is a lovely, simple side salad. You can, of course, add other ingredients, if you wish. Thinly sliced spring onions (scallions) or radish are both a good addition. Instead of the dill, use chopped chives, mint or parsley.

What to serve it with

In Poland, this is served with, among other things, pork schnitzel, but it makes a great side dish for many meals. Here are just a few ideas of what to serve Mizeria with:

A yellow bowl containing a creamy cucumber salad

FAQs

Can I make cucumber salad in advance?

You can make it in advance and keep it in the fridge, but for the crispest and freshest taste we recommend dressing it just before serving.

How to store cucumber salad

This will keep in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 2 days. It is not suitable to freezing, as the liquids will form ice crystals, causing the sour cream to split when defrosted.

Can you use Greek yoghurt in a cucumber salad?

Yes, if you want to make this a little lighter, then you can swap the sour cream for 0% Greek yoghurt.

Extra tips

If you want a less sour taste, leave out the lemon juice.
Replace the sour cream with yogurt to save some calories.
Dress the cucumber just before serving to maintain its crispness.

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