German Cucumber and Radish Salad Frühlingssalat Recipe
This light German cucumber and radish salad is a spring classic, served alongside potatoes and eggs or simple meats. It’s crunchy, slightly tangy, and very refreshing. The flavor is similar to Polish mizeria, but with the addition of peppery radishes and an herby dressing.
A simple, classic German-style salad that combines the freshness of cucumber with the peppery bite of radishes and a creamy, tangy dressing. It’s quick to make and pairs perfectly with many everyday dishes.
Chef's tips
Slice the vegetables as thinly as possible – this gives the salad a more delicate texture and helps the flavors blend better. If your vinegar is very strong, start with a smaller amount and add more to taste.
How to serve
Serve well chilled, sprinkled with a little extra chopped chives on top. It’s especially good next to new potatoes with butter and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
- fresh cucumber - 1 piece
- radish - 1 bunch
- chives - 3 tablespoons
- plain yogurt - 150 g
- vinegar - 1 tablespoon
- oil - 1 tablespoon
- sugar - 0.5 teaspoons
- salt
- pepper
Preparation
- Wash the cucumber; if the skin is thick or bitter, peel it thinly. Slice the cucumber into very thin rounds, preferably using a grater or mandoline.
- Wash the radishes, trim the ends, and slice them into thin rounds.
- Wash the chives, pat dry, and finely chop.
- In a bowl, mix the yogurt, vinegar, oil, sugar, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Stir until the dressing is smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning – it should be slightly tangy and gently sweet.
- Add the cucumber and radish slices and the chopped chives to the dressing. Gently toss so the dressing coats all the vegetables.
- Set the salad aside for 5–10 minutes so the cucumber releases some juice and the flavors meld.
- Before serving, gently toss again and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Storage
Store any leftovers covered in the fridge and eat within a day, as the cucumber will release water and the salad will become more watery over time.
