Mlejčne ugurke in all their classic glory. Creamy, cold, and tailor-made for hot summer nights.

Mlejčne ugurke in all their classic glory. Creamy, cold, and tailor-made for hot summer nights.

In Prekmurje, cucumbers are known as ugorke. On hot summer evenings, mlejčne ugurke cool you down with chilled cucumbers, onion, milk, sour cream, and paprika.

Preparation time 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Country / Region Prekmurje, Slovenia

Ingredients

  • cucumbers, peeled
  • 1 onion, finely sliced, red or sweet white
  • cold milk
  • sour cream
  • ground sweet red paprika
  • salt, to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In Prekmurje, cucumbers are known as ugorke.

On hot, muggy summer evenings, nothing cools you down quite like mlejčne ugurke. Whether you prefer them traditional and grated or wafer-thin sliced, this chilled dish is pure comfort.

It is simple, refreshing, creamy, and best served ice-cold straight from the fridge.

Ingredients Link to heading

  • Cucumbers, peeled
  • 1 onion, finely sliced, red or sweet white
  • Cold milk
  • Sour cream
  • Ground sweet red paprika, sweet or mild
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions Link to heading

Step 1: Prepare the Cucumbers Link to heading

Choose one of the two methods below.

Peel the cucumbers and slice them wafer-thin using a sharp knife or mandoline.

Place them in a bowl with a light sprinkle of salt.

Thinly sliced cucumbers retain their structure, release very little excess liquid, and do not need a long resting time in salt.

Method B: Traditional Grated Link to heading

Peel the cucumbers and coarse-grate them.

Toss with salt and let them sit in a bowl for at least 1 hour.

After resting, squeeze out the excess water by hand before adding the dressing.

Step 2: Add the Onion and Cream Dressing Link to heading

Thinly slice the onion and add it to the bowl with the cucumbers.

Red onion brings a lovely color and a mild bite, while sweet white onion gives a more classic, gentle flavor.

In a small cup or bowl, whisk together equal parts cold milk and sour cream until smooth, light, and pourable.

Pour the cream mixture directly over the cucumbers and onions.

Step 3: Season and Chill Link to heading

Generously dust the top with ground sweet red paprika.

Add freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste.

Toss everything together so the paprika infuses into the creamy milk dressing.

Chill well in the refrigerator before serving.

Serve ice-cold as a refreshing side dish or a light summer bowl.

Notes Link to heading

Mlejčne ugurke
Thinly graced cucumbers salted in the bowl. Squeeze gently after 1 hour to remove excess water before adding the other ingredients.
Mlejčne ugurke
Adding a crown of thinly sliced red onion rings for color and a mild, fresh bite.
Mlejčne ugurke
Fresh black pepper meets cold milk and sour cream.
Mlejčne ugurke
The crucial touch: a generous layer of sweet red paprika dusted directly over the cream.
Mlejčne ugurke
Tossed and chilled. The red onion gives the milk dressing a subtle pastel pink hue as it rests.
Mlejčne ugurke
Batch two: Perfectly uniform, wafer-thin sliced cucumber rounds ready for dressing.
Mlejčne ugurke
Spooning over the whisked cold milk and sour cream mixture.
Mlejčne ugurke
Sweet paprika blooming over the thick sour cream base.

If using grated cucumbers, do not skip the salting and squeezing step. It prevents the salad from becoming too watery.

If using thinly sliced cucumbers, you can prepare the dish much faster and keep a pleasant cucumber texture.

This dish is especially good next to grilled meat, potatoes, or simply with a piece of fresh bread.