The Romanian cucumber salad is a great summer side dish, often made to accompany grilled meats or chicken dishes. Sometimes, it is the best choice for a Romanian barbecue. Because the cucumber is mostly water, this salad makes for a wonderful refreshing option when the weather is hot – and summers in Romania can get really hot.
This is a recipe from Transylvania, where I grew up. The Romanian cucumber salad is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to prepare.
Ingredients for the Romanian Cucumber Salad Recipe
To make this classic Romanian cucumber salad, you will need a few fresh and simple ingredients. Start with a large cucumber, which will provide the base of the salad. You’ll also need two small garlic cloves and fresh or dried dill. The dressing consists of olive oil and white wine vinegar, which together create a light and tangy marinade. Finally, salt and pepper to season the salad.
How to Make the Romanian Cucumber Salad
Begin by cutting the cucumber into thin slices and placing them in a bowl. Crush the garlic cloves and add them to the bowl, over the cucumbers. In a small glass or jar with a lid, mix the olive oil and white wine vinegar thoroughly. Pour this mixture over the cucumber slices. Sprinkle the chopped dill over the top, and season with salt and pepper. Mix everything well but gently, to ensure the marinade coats all the cucumber slices. For best results, refrigerate the salad for a couple of hours before serving to let the flavours meld together.
Notes and Tips
- As this is a summer salad, I like to serve it cold. I leave it in the fridge for around two hours before serving, to allow the flavours to marinate the cucumber.
- You can adjust the seasoning to your own taste. Whilst I don’t recommend using balsamic vinegar for this salad, you can always use apple cider instead of white wine vinegar.
- Some people prefer to add onions as well to this cucumber salad.
Romanian Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber
- 2 small garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp chopped dill
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp white wine vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the cucumber into thin slices.
- Add the crushed garlic cloves.
- Mix well the oil with the vinegar in a glass or a jar with a lid.
- Pour the dressing over the salad.
- Add the chopped dill.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix well but gently to incorporate the marinade all over the cucumbers.
- Leave in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving.
FAQ:
Can I use dried dill instead of fresh dill?
Fresh dill is recommended for the best flavour, but you can use dried dill if fresh is unavailable. Use about a teaspoon of dried dill as a substitute.
How long can I store the cucumber salad?
The cucumber salad is best consumed within a day or two. Keep it refrigerated, and note that the cucumbers may lose some of their crispness over time.
What if I don’t have white wine vinegar?
You can substitute white wine vinegar with apple cider vinegar or even lemon juice for a slightly different but still delicious taste.
For more traditional Romanian salads, check out my recommendations below:
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