36 Cucumber Recipes to Make This Summer (2024)

Home Recipes Ingredients Vegetables Cucumbers

36 Cucumber Recipes to Make This Summer (1)Julie MeyersUpdated: Mar. 06, 2024

    Garden-fresh cucumbers are the main attraction in these summery salads, side dishes, salsas and more. Try these cucumber recipes for your next summer gathering, or on a hot summer day.

    Crisp Cucumber Salsa

    Get Recipe

    Here’s a fantastic way to use cucumbers. You’ll love the creamy and crunchy texture and super fresh flavors. —Charlene Skjerven, Hoolpe, North Dakota

    Before you check out more recipes, take a look at how to store cucumbers the right way so that you’ll never find a mushy cuke in the refrigerator again.

    Cucumber Party Sandwiches

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Cucumber sandwiches are one of my favorite appetizers. We have lots of pig roasts here in Kentucky, and these small sandwiches are perfect to serve while the pig is roasting. —Rebecca Rose, Mount Washington, Kentucky

    Kansas Cucumber Salad

    Go to Recipe

    Cucumbers are my very favorite garden vegetable, so I use this recipe often. I got it from a friend years ago. I've heard this refreshing dish keeps very well in the refrigerator, but it goes so fast around our house, I've never found out for myself. —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas

    Chicken Cucumber Pitas

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    I wanted a good recipe for pitas. Seeing the large stack of garden-fresh cucumbers on my counter, I decided to improvise and create my own filling. It was a huge hit. —Sheena Wellard, Nampa, Idaho. Improvise your salad with these adorable mini cucumbers.

    Mama's Warm German Potato Salad

    Go to Recipe

    My grandmother, Mama, made this potato salad for every family gathering at her home. The relatives would arrive with their specialties in hand. She never wrote the recipe down, so I had to re-create it from memory. Years later, it's just about right. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida

    Watermelon Cups

    Go to Recipe

    This lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Fresh Veggie Pockets

    Go to Recipe

    One summer I worked at a health food store that sold sandwiches. We were close to a college campus, so I made lots of these fresh-filled pitas for the students. Crunchy with crisp vegetables and nutty sunflower kernels, they're a fast-to-fix lunch when you're on the go.-Linda Reeves, Cloverdale, Indiana

    Chicken with Mango-Cucumber Salsa

    Taste of Home

    I put this dish together after looking for something quick and easy without too much indoor cooking. My husband prefers this moist grilled chicken a tad spicy. —Linda Tringali, Monroe Township, New Jersey

    Sesame-Ginger Cucumber Salad

    Go to Recipe

    I love the marinated sides and salads that come with meals at Japanese restaurants and wanted to try them at home. After some research, I came up with this cool, crisp salad. —Kimberly Ludvick, Newburgh, New York

    Go to Recipe

    Using couscous instead of bulgur for tabbouleh really speeds up the process of making this colorful salad. Other quick-cooking grains, such as barley or quinoa, also work well. —Elodie Rosinovsky, Brighton, Massachusetts

    Greek Shrimp Canapes

    Go to Recipe

    I grew up by the ocean and then moved to a landlocked state. I wanted to show people in my area how to easily cook seafood, and this is the recipe I came up with. I think it’s safe to say it has become a neighborhood favorite. —Amy Harris, Springville, Utah

    Cheeseburger Bowl

    Go to Recipe

    This recipe is a lighter way to enjoy an American summer staple. You can try a version of the dressing with 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard and 1 tablespoon of ketchup. —Laurie Rogerson, Ellington, Connecticut

    Dad's Greek Salad

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    The heart of a Greek salad recipe is in the olives, feta, cucumbers and tomatoes. Dress it with olive oil and vinegar, then add more olives and cheese. —Arge Salvatori, Little Ferry, New Jersey

    Fresh Cucumber Salad

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Crisp, garden-fresh cukes are always in season when we hold our family reunion, and they really shine in this simple salad. The recipe can easily be expanded to make large quantities, too. —Betsy Carlson, Rockford, Illinois

    Turkey Gyros

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Greek seasoning, feta cheese and dill-cucumber sauce give this gyro an authentic taste. It was my family's introduction to how really good pita bread can be. Instead of feta cheese, we'll sprinkle on cheddar or Monterey Jack if we have it. —Donna Garvin, Glens Falls, New York

    Kohlrabi, Cucumber and Tomato Salad

    Go to Recipe

    This chilled, refreshing salad is wonderful on hot days. It has a nice crunch and a delicious balance of sweet and spicy flavors. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York

    Sour Cream Cucumbers

    Go to Recipe

    It’s been a tradition at our house to serve this dish with the other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from the women at church. It’s especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are fresh-picked from the garden. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio

    Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Besides being tasty, these little tomato poppers are extra awesome because you can make them ahead of time. At parties, I often triple the recipe because they disappear fast. —Christi Martin, Elko, Nevada

    Favorite Cucumber Salad

    Go to Recipe

    Add a fresh-tasting touch to your menu with this favorite salad. The crunchy cucumbers are tossed with onion, green pepper and a sweet-tart dressing seasoned with celery seed.—Mary Lou Boyce,Wilmington, Delaware

    Minty Watermelon-Cucumber Salad

    Go to Recipe

    Capturing the fantastic flavors of summer, this refreshing, beautiful watermelon-cucumber salad will be the talk of any picnic or potluck. —Roblynn Hunnisett, Guelph, Ontario

    Ginger Salmon with Cucumber Lime Sauce

    Go to Recipe

    Lime with ginger is a favorite flavor combo for me, especially with grilled salmon. So good. Even with the cucumber sauce, this recipe is easy, too. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

    Creamy Cucumber Salad

    Go to Recipe

    This creamy cucumber salad, a Norwegian favorite, was a staple at all of our family holidays. —Patty LaNoue Stearns, Traverse City, Michigan

    Cucumber Canapes

    Go to Recipe

    I always get requests for the recipe for these canapes whenever I serve them. They're delicate finger sandwiches with a creamy herb spread and festive red and green garnishes. —Nadine Whittaker, South Plymouth, Massachusetts

    Go to Recipe

    Rice vinegar, sesame oil and cayenne create a sweet-hot Asian flavor that will light up your taste buds! —Alivia Dockery, Jensen Beach, Florida

    Garden Tomato Salad

    Go to Recipe

    For as long as I can remember, Mom made a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers. Now I make it whenever beautiful tomatoes are in reach. —Shannon Arthur, Upper Arlington, Ohio

    Go to Recipe

    I always make these appetizers for our get-togethers. They're easy to prepare and a snappy addition to any party. —Kelly Alaniz, Eureka, California

    Cucumber and Red Onion Salad

    Go to Recipe

    This cucumber and onion salad is one of the first recipes I came up with myself. It's a great salad for picnics or potlucks. I always come home with an empty bowl! —Brynn Steckman, Westerville, Ohio

    Inside-Out Veggie Dip

    Go to Recipe

    Cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices transform into these savory, bite-sized treats ideal for any gathering. —Judie Thurstenson, Colcord, Oklahoma

    Balsamic Cucumber Salad

    Go to Recipe

    Cucumber salad recipes are my absolute favorite! This fast, fresh salad is a winner at every get together. It's an easygoing, healthy side dish for kabobs, chicken or anything hot off the grill. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia

    Chicken with Peach-Cucumber Salsa

    Go to Recipe

    To keep our kitchen cool, we grill chicken outdoors and serve it with a minty peach salsa that can easily be made ahead. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas

    Go to Recipe

    Strawberries and cucumbers together—I just love this combination! We used to eat a lot of cucumbers growing up in upstate New York. We'd get them, along with strawberries and melons, from fruit and veggie stands to make this sweet and tangy salad. —Melissa Mccabe, Long Beach, California

    Mint-Cucumber Tomato Sandwiches

    Go to Recipe

    TMB Studio

    I jazzed up the quintessential teatime cucumber sandwich to suit my family's tastes. This was my absolute go-to sandwich last summer when I was pregnant. It hit all the right spots! —Namrata Telugu, Terre Haute, Indiana

    Chopped Garden Salad

    Go to Recipe

    This recipe is always requested by my children for their birthday meal or any other get-together. The flavor combination is so yummy.—Anna Sutherland, Camp, Arkansas

    Dill Garden Salad

    Go to Recipe

    I love to cut up whatever fresh vegetables I have on hand and toss them with this delicious dressing and fresh dill. This salad shows up on our table regularly during the summer. —Bethany Martin, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

    Cucumber-Melon Smoothies

    Go to Recipe

    My cool honeydew and cucumber smoothie has only five ingredients. I sometimes add a small avocado to make it extra creamy.—Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota

    Originally Published: March 18, 2019

    36 Cucumber Recipes to Make This Summer (2024)

    FAQs

    How do you use a lot of cucumbers? ›

    7 Different Ways to Eat Up Extra Cucumbers
    1. Find our Pickled Cucumbers recipe here. ...
    2. Tropical Cucumber Smoothie with Kale.
    3. Hydrating Cucumber Smoothie with Mango.
    4. Cucumber Mojito Mocktail.
    5. Mixed Berry & Cucumber Bellini Mocktail.
    6. Cucumber Melon Sangria Mocktail.
    7. Lemon Cucumber Virgin Cooler.
    Sep 14, 2020

    What can you put on cucumbers to make them taste good? ›

    Cucumbers pair wonderfully with tangy dressings. Whip up a quick dressing by combining plain yoghurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, and a pinch of dill or parsley. Toss the sliced cucumbers in the dressing just before serving.

    What to do with cucumbers that are going bad? ›

    Slightly wrinkly cucumbers, without mold and any slimy texture, can be okay to eat. They won't have the best flavor, so I suggest blending them and using them in a soup or smoothie.

    Can I freeze cucumbers? ›

    Yes, you can freeze cucumbers, but there's a catch. Frozen cucumbers will never have the same crisp snap as fresh cucumbers. Here's why. Cucumbers are about 95% water, so freezing and thawing will affect their cell structure, resulting in a mushy texture.

    Do cucumbers last longer in the fridge or on the counter? ›

    Even though cucumbers are prone to chilling injury, the fridge is still the best place to store them. At room temperature, cucumbers will only last for about two days.

    What not to mix cucumbers with? ›

    However, cucumber too has a property that interferes with the absorption of Vitamin C. Thus, most of the times, the combination of cucumber and tomato is advised to be avoided.

    How do you jazz up cucumbers? ›

    Ingredients that pair well with cucumbers, no matter what you're making, include soft cheeses such as chervil or cream cheese; sour cream; herbs such as dill, basil, and mint; spices such as celery seeds or sesame seeds; melons; tomatoes; celery; and carrots.

    Why should you crush a cucumber before you eat it? ›

    That's why chefs and home chefs from Asian cuisine have been using this technique of crushing cucumbers before slicing them for a long time. The reason for this is most likely to make sure the vegetable dries out a little bit. This way, it will become more flavoursome and it can absorb other flavours better.

    What not to store cucumbers with? ›

    Tips for Storing Cucumbers:

    Ensure that the cucumbers are stored away from ethylene-producing fruits like tomatoes, apples, and bananas. Ethylene can cause cucumbers to ripen and spoil more quickly. Avoid placing cucumbers near foods with strong odors as they absorb odors easily.

    Can I cut mold off cucumber? ›

    Cucumbers and Peaches: Discard

    If mold is found on soft fruit like strawberries, peaches, cucumbers, and tomatoes the food should be discarded. Because these fruits and vegetables are high in moisture, the mold can exist deep into it.

    Why do you rub salt in cucumbers? ›

    Cucumbers - rolling in salt

    Doing so will remove the stipples (bumps) and refresh both the color and flavor. This preparation method is called “itazuri” in Japanese. The recommended amount of salt for 1 cucumber is about 1/2 to 1 tsp. After performing itazuri, quickly rinse off the cucumber and then cut up.

    Why do you soak cucumbers in salt water? ›

    Preparation and Serving. Cucumbers are often soaked in salt water to remove some of the naturally high water content.

    How do you preserve a glut of cucumbers? ›

    Pickling is a simple and practical method of preserving fresh cucumbers. Basically, all varieties of cucumbers can be pickled. While small gherkins are particularly popular, sliced larger cucumber plants can be pickled just as easily.

    How do you store cucumbers the longest? ›

    For maximum life, refrigerate them wrapped in a dry paper towel inside a plastic produce bag, in the produce drawer. If you have more than 3 cucumbers, ideally store every 3 cucumbers in separate bags, since one that starts to go bad tends to take others with it.

    How do you keep cucumbers fresh for 2 weeks? ›

    Once you've washed and wrapped them, the best way to store cucumbers is in the crisper drawer (a.k.a. produce drawer) of your fridge, set on high humidity with the fan closed. High humidity helps the ethylene-sensitive fruit retain moisture and keeps it from wilting.

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Frankie Dare

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5992

    Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

    Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Frankie Dare

    Birthday: 2000-01-27

    Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

    Phone: +3769542039359

    Job: Sales Manager

    Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

    Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.