This lightened up Polish Cucumber Salad is crisp, refreshing and tasty! Traditionally, this salad (also known as Mizeria) uses sour cream and doesn't have tomatoes or onions. However, I wanted something a little bit healthier so I made some adaptions.
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Back when I lived near Greenpoint, Brooklyn, we would always get dinner at one of the many local Polish spots that lined the streets.
To be honest, my favorite thing about eating there was always the fresh salads that came with the meal. And the pierogis. Sooo many pierogis!!
Just like this Polish inspired cucumber salad (Mizeria) or my fav lemony carrot apple slaw also known as Surówka z marchewki.
And although the real recipe typically calls for sour cream instead of yogurt, I swapped it out and it still tastes delicious!
Traditional this salad also doesn't have tomatoes or onions either but I added them to use up some fresh produce that I had!
If you'd like to get a taste of a real Polish Cucumber Salad, be sure to check out The Polish Housewife for her awesome recipes.
Ingredients & Substitutions
(scroll down for the exact recipe and printable recipe card)
- English Cucumbers - I think these cucumbers work best but you could use hot house or any other cucumber variety really. Just watch out as some have super big seeds and though skin. If you have these, just be sure to scoop out the seeds and peel the skin so everything is tender.
- Radishes - You could leave out the radishes if you don't like them.
- Sweet Onion - These are not traditional so you could def leave them out.
- Cherry Tomatoes - These are not traditional so you could def leave them out.
- Greek Yogurt - Traditionally Mizeria is made with sour cream so you could def swap it out.
- Fresh Dill - You could also use dried dill but I'd probably use ½ tsp.
- Seasoned Rice Wine Vinegar - You could use any vinegar you have!
- Lemon Juice - Lemon Juice is best but you could use lime juice too.
- Salt - Kosher is best but again, use what you have.
- Sugar - I'm using regular white sugar but you could use sugar in the raw, too.
- Pepper - Fresh cracked pepper tastes the best for me but you could use regular black pepper.
How to make This Polish inspired Cucumber Salad
The first thing that you'll do to make this inspired Polish Cucumber Salad is to slice the cucumbers and radishes very thinly.
Once it's sliced, toss with sugar and salt and set aside.
Let this mixture sit for 20 minutes so the excess moisture is withdrawn.
While the water is being sucked out, let's make the sauce.
Combine Greek yogurt, dill, lemony juice, rice wine vinegar, salt and pepper and set aside.
Now discard out the excess liquid from the cucumber and radish and pour them in a big bowl.
Add the cherry tomatoes and onion, too.
Pour the dressing over everything and toss.
I think this Mizeria salad is best within the hour its made but you could make it up to a day in advance if you had to.
What to pair with this lightened up polish cucumber salad
Try pairing this lightened up Polish Cucumber Salad with my Pierogi Lasagna with apples, caramelized onions and spinach!
It would also be delicious with these Hawaiian Roll Turkey Cheddar Sliders or these Tampa Style Cuban Sandwiches!
Save this Mizeria recipe for later
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Recipe
Recipe
Lightened Up Polish Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad
For the Dressing
- ¾ cup 0% greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon dill chopped
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon seasoned rice wine vinegar
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Thinly slice the cucumbers and radishes into coins and sprinkle with salt and sugar. Let this mixture sit for 30 minutes then strain the excess liquid.
- Meanwhile, mix together greek yogurt, dill, lemony juice, rice wine vinegar, salt and pepper and set aside.
- Strain off excess water from cucumbers and radishes then place in a large bowl with onion and tomatoes.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables and stir everything up.
- Finish with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
JOYCE
Saw you on Guy's Grocery Games and just love your spirit! So, looked for your blog and here I am! I am 78 years old, don't eat sugar, bad fats or very many carbs, so I have to adapt your recipes that I want to use. I look for foods that are anti-inflammatory. I am trying some of your veggie dishes and find your herbs/flavors things I don't have much experience with, so you have given me ideas. Thanks.