FoodSwedish twist: The cucumber salad variation you've been missing

Swedish twist: The cucumber salad variation you've been missing

Swedish-style mizeria - one ingredient changes everything
Swedish-style mizeria - one ingredient changes everything
Images source: © Getty Images | Dar1930

12:42 PM EDT, June 26, 2024

Swedish-style cucumber salad brings a refreshing twist to the classic Polish dish that we’ve all had countless times. What gives it its unique flavor? One addition that changes everything. I learned the recipe from my neighbors, and since then, this has become my favorite version of the salad.

You might think there’s nothing left to surprise you when it comes to cucumber salad. Routine made me prepare this popular salad less and less frequently over time. That changed recently. You know that feeling when a small detail gives a dish a completely new character? This is exactly such a case.

Is the Swedish cucumber salad radically different? Absolutely not. It has cucumbers, as expected, sour cream, and spices. It's probably not worth going for a sweet version, although a little bit of sugar is, in my opinion, indispensable. So, what makes this salad "Swedish"? Vinegar; more specifically, apple cider vinegar. Funny, isn’t it? The solution to the routine was always just a step away (or rather, waiting in the kitchen cabinet), but sometimes the simplest things in cooking turn out to be the hardest to find.

Below is the Swedish cucumber salad recipe I got from my neighbors. I highly recommend giving this recipe a try. Apple cider vinegar brings this cucumber salad back into favor, even for those who have long grown tired of it.

Swedish-style cucumber salad

Ingredients:

                          
  • 3 cucumbers
  • 1 green onion
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2-3 tablespoons of sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar

Preparation:

Apple cider vinegar makes Swedish-style cucumber salad have an exceptionally intense flavor.
Apple cider vinegar makes Swedish-style cucumber salad have an exceptionally intense flavor.© Canva | Linda Hall
              
  1. Wash the cucumbers but do not peel them. This, of course, is a matter of taste; I just prefer the "crunchiness" of the salad, and the skin helps with that.
  2. Slice the cucumbers and place them in a bowl. Add finely chopped green onion and its tops, as well as sour cream, sugar, and apple cider vinegar.
  3. Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and chill the cucumber salad in the refrigerator; it tastes best when cold. Enjoy!
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