Name: Polish Cucumber Salad (Mizeria) 2 Ways
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 13 min
Ingredients: 300-350 g cucumber (rinsed, peeled or unpeeled); 1/2 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; 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

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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.

Top down view of creamy cucumber salad in green bowl with spoon wrapped in green cloth, with herbs and cucumber in background.

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 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 the cucumber for Polish mizeria recipe

There are essentially 2 methods of making this salad.

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.

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.

Cucumber salad with spoon in white bowl wrapped in green cloth with lemon and herbs in background.

Lightly pickled cucumber salad with oil dressing.

Should I peel the cucumber for Polish cucumber mizeria

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.

What to serve with Polish cucumber salad

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 chicken kebabs or beetroot quinoa burgers. Try it also with salmon fish fingers and salmon fish cakes.

Top down view of creamy cucumber salad with spoon in green bowl wrapped in green cloth, with cucumber and herbs in background.

Crunchy cucumber salad with creamy dressing.

More Polish salad recipes

My Mum’s Polish Potato Salad (Jarzynowa)

Polish Sauerkraut Salad Recipe with Carrot & Apple

Creamy cucumber salad in green bowl with spoon wrapped in green cloth, with herbs and cucumber in background.

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