Polish Cucumber Salad (Mizeria): A Refreshing Summer Side

One of the simplest and most refreshing dishes to come out of my kitchen this summer has been Mizeria, a traditional Polish cucumber salad. It’s cool, creamy, and lightly tangy. It is just perfect for hot afternoons or as a side for grilled meats or hearty casseroles. This recipe is very close to the one my mom used to make, and it always brings back warm memories with every bite.


🧂 What You’ll Need

Here are the basic ingredients to make this light and delicious cucumber salad:

  • About 1 pound of small cucumbers (I like the kind with thin skin), peeled and sliced very thin

  • Salt (just a sprinkle to help draw out the water)

  • A generous handful of fresh dill, finely chopped

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons of sour cream

  • A little squeeze of lemon juice (around 1 teaspoon)

  • A pinch of white sugar (adjust to your taste)

  • Freshly ground black pepper

🥗 Instructions

  1. Start by prepping the cucumbers. Place the thinly sliced cucumbers in a colander and sprinkle lightly with salt. Let them sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. This step helps remove excess moisture and gives the salad a better texture.

  2. Squeeze out the extra water. After they’ve softened a bit, gently press the cucumbers with your hands or a clean kitchen towel to remove any extra liquid.

  3. Mix the dressing. In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream, lemon juice, and sugar until well combined.

  4. Combine and chill. Toss the cucumbers with the chopped dill, then pour the creamy dressing over everything and stir until the cucumbers are well coated. Add a few cracks of black pepper to taste.

  5. Let it sit. For best flavor, cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving.



🥒 A Little History of Mizeria

The name “Mizeria” might sound a little sad, it loosely translates to “misery” in Polish, but the dish is anything but gloomy. It’s believed to be named that way either because it was once a simple peasant dish or because it was so beloved by Queen Bona Sforza of Poland that it made her homesick for Italy. Either way, this salad has stood the test of time and is still a staple in many Polish homes today.

💡 Tips and Tricks

  • Use English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers if you want thinner skins and fewer seeds.

  • You can swap sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a slightly tangier version.

  • Don’t skip the dill. It adds that traditional herbal flavor that makes Mizeria so unique.

  • Serve it with pierogi, roast chicken, pork chops, or as a picnic side dish.

💌 Love this recipe?

Download this free printable recipe card.

Looking for more recipe inspiration? Check out the other dishes I’ve shared.

📝 Final Thoughts

Mizeria is one of those humble recipes that proves less really is more. With just a few ingredients and a little time, you can whip up a dish that feels comforting, cool, and just a little bit special. It’s a perfect way to enjoy cucumbers when they’re in season, and a great reminder that the best food doesn’t need to be complicated.

Have you tried this recipe? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Sensibly and simply yours,
Kat

👉 Enjoyed this post? Subscribe here to get weekly updates straight to your inbox.

Location: Michigan, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Grow Your Savings with Confidence

Image
When you're building a Sensible & Simple Life , finding FDIC‑insured high‑yield savings accounts (HYSAs) is a smart way to grow your cash. These accounts offer safety, flexibility, and attractive interest rates. 🐖 Spotlight: SmartyPig – Save with Purpose APY : ~3.83%–3.90% (3.90% on balances over $50,000) Minimum : $0 to open, $50,000 for top rate FDIC‑insured via Sallie Mae Bank Bonus : Goal‑tracking "piggy bank" visuals, perfect for dedicated savings projects 📊 High‑Yield Savings Comparison Table (July 2025) Bank / Account APY Min. Balance FDIC-Insured Highlights SmartyPig 3.83%–3.90% ≥ $50,000 for top tier Yes Goal-oriented; visual saving “buckets” Axos ONE® Savings Up to 4.66% $1,500 + direct deposits Yes Promo APY with simple monthly requirements EverBank Performance Savings ...
Read more

My Simple Herb Garden: What I’ve Learned in 2 Years of Growing Herbs

Image
When I started gardening two years ago, I knew next to nothing, except that I loved the idea of stepping outside to snip a few fresh herbs while making dinner. Now, in my second year, I’ve started to get a feel for what works, what doesn’t, and what herbs are worth the space in my small Michigan (zone 6) garden. This post is all about herbs, specifically the ones I’ve grown myself and how I’m learning to make the most of them, one season at a time. 🌱 What I Planted This Year This season, my herb garden included: Peppermint English thyme Chives Basil Parsley Cilantro I picked up starter plants from local greenhouses because, to be honest, seeds still feel a bit intimidating. (Maybe someday!) I grow my herbs in a raised garden bed I bought a couple of years ago, and I still love it. 👉 Here’s the one I use from Amazon if you're looking for something simple and sturdy (Amazon affiliate). 🌿 What I Grew Last Year Last year, I started smaller with just: Pepperm...
Read more