Grandma Varga's Hungarian Cucumber Salad Uborkasalata

Bring a taste of Hungary to your table with Grandma Varga’s Hungarian Cucumber Salad, or “Uborkasaláta,” a refreshing side dish bursting with tangy-sweet flavor. Thinly sliced English cucumbers are salted to enhance their crispness, then tossed in a vibrant dressing of distilled white vinegar, sugar, and bold paprika with a hint of garlic. This traditional recipe is quick to prepare and features minimalist ingredients, yet its perfectly balanced flavors make it an iconic complement to hearty meat dishes and savory stews. Serve it chilled for a light, zesty addition to your meal, and don’t forget the optional dollop of sour cream for an extra layer of creaminess. Ready in under an hour, this authentic Hungarian cucumber salad is the perfect showcase of old-world culinary simplicity at its finest.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 large English cucumbers
• 1 tablespoon Salt
• 3 tablespoons Distilled white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Sugar
• 1 cup Water
• 2 minced Garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.25 cup Sour cream (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Wash the cucumbers thoroughly and pat them dry.

Step 2

Using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife, thinly slice the cucumbers into uniform rounds.

Step 3

Place the cucumber slices in a large bowl and sprinkle them with the tablespoon of salt. Toss well to ensure even coating.

Step 4

Let the salted cucumbers sit for 20–30 minutes. This step draws out the excess water from the cucumbers and enhances texture.

Step 5

While the cucumbers rest, prepare the dressing. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the distilled white vinegar, sugar, water, minced garlic, paprika, and ground black pepper. Whisk until the sugar dissolves completely.

Step 6

After 20–30 minutes, use your hands or a clean kitchen towel to squeeze the excess water out of the cucumbers. Pat them dry and transfer them to a clean serving bowl.

Step 7

Pour the prepared vinegar dressing over the cucumbers and gently toss to combine.

Step 8

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours for optimal flavor.

Step 9

Before serving, give the salad a final toss, sprinkle with an extra pinch of paprika for garnish, and, if desired, top with a dollop of sour cream for creaminess.

Step 10

Serve chilled as a refreshing accompaniment to meat dishes, stews, or as part of a larger Hungarian feast.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1137.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	247.5

Total Fat 2.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 7107.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 58.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.7g	0%
Total Sugars 38.7g
Protein 7.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 165.6mg	0%
Iron 3.1mg	0%
Potassium 1273.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 6.4%

Protein: 10.3%

Carbs: 83.3%