Polish cucumber salad - mizeria’ - is a refreshing simple dish that can be served with a wide range of meat or fish dinners. It is quick and easy to put together, delicious and super versatile. This post includes 2 ways of serving this salad: one with a creamy dairy based dressing and one with oil. Depending on how you prepare the cucumber you could also serve it crunchy or lightly pickled.
Polish cucumber salad is one of the most popular quick and easy salads in Poland. It’s been around for so long in fact that no one can provide a definitive answer as to the origin of its somewhat unfortunate name. The word misery does not exist in Polish so to a Polish person mizeria doesn’t seem like an odd name for a salad. If you are an English speaker you might be scratching your head wondering if this salad is even worth bothering with.
The answer is, yes, it is! Polish cucumber salad is delicious, easy to make and highly adaptable. As with most traditional recipes there are lots of variations and in this post I will show you the 2 most popular ones: creamy and dairy free.
Lightly pickled cucumber salad with creamy dressing.
Creamy Polish cucumber salad
This is the more common of the two. Traditionally this creamy cucumber salad has been made using sour cream. These days, however, this is often swapped for healthier yogurt. I personally think Skyr or fromage frais (fromage blanc) would also be good alternatives.
All these dairy products have a similar thick consistency and tangy flavour so use your favourite. If, however, you can’t imagine Polish mizeria salad without the sour cream but don’t want the calories that come with it simply combine it with low fat yogurt, Skyr or fromage blanc.
To make the creamy dressing combine all the ingredients, stir thoroughly and set aside while you prepare the cucumber (see below).
Healthy Polish cucumber salad with oil
This dairy free cucumber dill salad has become popular in recent years as people these days often look for healthier alternatives to sour cream. Oil works really well in this salad. I recommend using good quality vegetable oil (my choice is always cold-pressed rapeseed/canola oil) or mild tasting olive oil.
To make the oil dressing simply combine the oil with the lemon juice. Add the herbs just before serving and stir thoroughly.
What herbs to use in cucumber sour cream (or dairy free) salad
Dill is one of the most popular herbs in Poland and it’s also most commonly used in Polish mizeria salad. You could use it on its own or with a sprinkle of freshly chopped chives – another favourite in Polish cuisine. Mint and parsley are also used but less often.
How to prepare this recipe
There are essentially 2 methods of making this salad.
1.One involves cutting the cucumber into thin slices (approx. 2-3 mm thick) using a knife and combining with the dressing (creamy or dairy free) just before serving. This kind of cucumber salad will be crunchy and should be served right away.
2. Another way of making this salad is by slicing the cucumber very thinly (best to use a vegetable slicer for this), sprinkling with salt and leaving in a colander for 10 minutes. The cucumber will soften and release lots of moisture which needs to be discarded. This method will not produce a crunchy cucumber salad.
Then simply combine with either the creamy or oil based dressing, stir and enjoy!
As the cucumber is lightly pickled you may not need to add any more seasoning into this salad.
Lightly pickled cucumber salad with oil dressing.
Should I peel the cucumber
This is up to you, though traditionally the cucumber has always been peeled. Polish people like to peel their fruit and veg in general but you don’t have to peel the cucumber for this salad. I haven’t, as you can see in the photos. So choose the method that suits you best.
Serving suggestions
This cucumber salad with sour cream (or its dairy free version) is usually served with traditional meat/fish and potato dishes. This salad is very refreshing so perfect so serve during summer months with light, healthy dishes such as yogurt marinated chicken or beetroot quinoa burgers. Try it also with salmon fish fingers and salmon fish cakes.
Crunchy cucumber salad with creamy dressing.
More Polish salad recipes
- My Mum’s Polish Potato Salad (Jarzynowa)
- Polish Sauerkraut Salad Recipe with Carrot & Apple
- Polish Cold Beet Salad
Keep in touch!
If you make this Polish cucumber salad I'd love to know how it turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks!
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Polish Cucumber Salad (Mizeria) 2 Ways
Ingredients
- 300-350 g cucumber rinsed, peeled or unpeeled
For the creamy dressing
- ½ cup sour cream or fromage frais/fromage blanc or Skyr
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1.2 tbsp dill and chives (optional) finely chopped
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
For the oil dressing
- 2 tbsp good quality vegetable or mild tasting olive oil
- 1.5 tbsp lemon juice
- 1.2 tbsp dill and chives (optional) finely chopped
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the creamy dressing by combining all the ingredients and stirring thoroughly. If you choose to make the oil dressing simply combine the oil and lemon juice and set aside (add the herbs into the salad just before serving).
- If you want your salad with a bit of crunch cut the cucumber into 2-3 mm thick slices using a knife. Combine with your chosen dressing and enjoy.
- Another method of preparing the cucumber is by slicing it very thinly using a vegetable slicer. Season to taste and stir thoroughly, then place in a colander for 10 minutes to pickle it lightly and allow the cucumber to release moisture. After 10 minutes squeeze out any remaining moisture, combine the cucumber with your preferred dressing and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
**A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.
My Polish family liked to put the cucumber salad on top of mashed potatoes. Yum!
Sounds delicious!
Memories of trips to Poland and having mizeria with almost every meal!
Ha ha, that sounds familiar, mizeria is SO popular there:)
Oooh lovely! This would be great with a lovely dairy free sour cream! Thanks for sharing #CookBlogShare
Thanks! I am sure dairy free sour cream would work great:)
Both of these cucumber recipes look really tasty. I love cucumber and these showcase how great it is.
Thanks Cat! Yes, this salad is definitely for cucumber lovers.
perfect for summer!!! love a good cucumber salad 😀
Thank you!