15 Fresh and Delicious Cucumber Recipes to Try Today
This summer, we planted a garden, hoping for a modest harvest to add some fresh produce to our meals. Little did I know that my cucumber and tomato plants would thrive beyond my wildest expectations! We were up to our elbows in crisp cucumbers and juicy tomatoes, and had to get creative in the kitchen to make the most of this bountiful harvest.
At first, we were overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of cucumbers spilling out of our garden. But soon, we started experimenting with different ways to incorporate them into our meals. What began as a challenge quickly turned into a delicious adventure, and I discovered other cucumber compatriots along the way who were just as preoccupied with the versatile cucumber as myself. From refreshing salads to pickles and chilled soups, cucumbers have found their way into every meal.
In this post, I'm excited to share some of my favorite cucumber recipes that have become staples in my kitchen before the end of the harvest. Whether you're looking for a light and healthy snack, a flavorful side dish, or a unique way to use up your garden bounty, these recipes are sure to inspire you. Let's dive in and celebrate the humble cucumber, one recipe at a time, but first, just for fun, some cucumber music!
1.) Simple Cucumber Salad:
Just wash and slice 1 Cucumber, add some Tomatoes and drizzle some Lemon juice & Salt over them, to preserve them. Place them in an airtight container.
For a digestive aid, drizzle some Olive Oil over them and your intestines will move.
For a healthy blood thinner, add 1 Tablespoon minced Garlic.
For an added bonus, top with sliced Red Onions.
Did you know? Cucumbers contain vitamin A & C which respectively can improve skin exteriorly (acne & irritation) as well vitamin K which is key for bone health (interiorly). They also have dozens of antioxidants with flavonoids that helps prevent heart disease, and lignans which are the protective properties against colorectal and breast cancers. Low in fat. High in fluids and fiber.
Blend 2 Tablespoon Lemon Juice + 2 Tablespoons Nut Milk + 2 Tablespoons Cucumber (1 inch) +2 Tablespoons Vegan Sour Cream OR plain yogurt) + 1 Tablespoon minced Garlic + 1 Tablespoon dried Parsley + 3 dashes Salt + pinch Dill
Drizzle inside the Pita for a flavor kick!
3.) Vegan Greek Salad:
The Classic Greek Salad does NOT have any leafy greens.
1-2 Cups Cucumber (chopped) + 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes (sliced in half) + 1/3 Cup Red Onions (thinly sliced) + 9 Black Kalamata Olives + 1 teaspoon Garlic (minced) + Pinch Oregano (dried) + Pinch Mustard (dried) + Drizzle Olive Oil + Nutritional Yeast Flakes (to taste - an alternative to Feta cheese - optional)
4.) Homemade Bread & Butter Pickles:
4 lbs 4-6 inch Cucumbers, sliced
2 lbs Onions, sliced (8 small)
1/3 Cup Canning Salt
2 Cups Sugar
2 Tablespoons Pickling Spices
3 Cups Vinegar (5% acidity) or Lemon Juice
Combine Cucumber & Onion slices in large bowl. Layer with the Canning Salt, cover with ice cubes. Let stand 1 1/2 Hours. Drain & Rinse. Combine ingredients in a large sauce pot & bring to boil. Add drained Cucumbers & Onions, return to boil. Pack hot Pickles and liquid into hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Adjust the Mason jar caps and process for 10 Minutes. For our PowerPoint on the process, see
Or watch our YouTube video. Note that for fresh pack pickled foods, allow 4-6 weeks for the product to cure and develop a satisfactory flavor.
FYI: You can also fry the pickle slices for a neat treat (see below for the Crispy Cucumber recipe).
5.) Cucumber & Black Bean Salsa:
Well, we swapped out Corn for Cucumber. Corn and corn products are kryptonite for people who suffer with Gout and I didn't even realize the taste difference!
Mix 1 can Black Beans (rinsed) + 1 can Italian-style Diced Tomatoes (rinsed) + 1 Cup Cucumber (chopped) + 1 small Red Onion (chopped) + 3 Green Onions (chopped) + 1 Red Bell Pepper (chopped) + 1 Avocado (chopped) + 1/4 Cup Lime Juice + 1 Tablespoon Garlic (minced) + 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil + 1/2 Cilantro bunch (chopped) + 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
Why do cucumbers turn yellow? Water Stress. Cucumbers are water-loving plants that need regular moisture to grow properly. However, if cucumber vines are over- or under-watered, they can suffer stress and produce yellowed fruit as a result where their taste starts becoming bitter and the skin becomes thick.
6.) Green Drink:
Juice (using a juicer) the following: 3 Celery Stalks + 3 Kale OR Collard Leaves + 1/2 Cucumber + 1/2 Apple + 1/3 bunch Parsley + 1/4 inch Ginger + 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh Lemon Juice
Option: Add 1 Tablespoon Liquid Chlorophyll (found at health food stores) for cancer and other serious health conditions
7.) Cucumber California Rolls:
1-2 Cucumbers
1 Avocado, sliced thin
1/4 cup Red Bell Pepper, sliced thin
1-2 Green Onions, end removed
1/3 cup Cauliflower Rice (cauliflower that has been chopped fine)
Sprinkle Poppy Seeds OR Toasted Sesame Seeds
1/3 cup Tofu (baked, optional)
Cut your cucumber in half and cut off the ends. Use a knife or chopstick to core the cucumber, creating a hollow inside and stand up on its ends. Stuff the cucumber: by individually sliding the sliced ingredients down the cucumber shaft and lastly stuffing the remaining cauliflower rice down. Use a chopstick or a spoon to press the ingredients down. Cut them into 1/4-inch slices. Dipping Sauce: Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch Dressing OR make this simple Peanut Sauce: 1 Tablespoon Water + 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup + 1 teaspoon Chili Oil + 2 Tablepoon Peanut Butter.
Dip & Enjoy!
8.) Cucumber Mojito Mocktail:
5-7 Mint leaves plus 1 for garnish
1/2 Lime cut into 4 wedges, divided
2 tablespoons Cane Sugar (it adds texture to the drink)
1 cup Sprite OR 7Up OR Ginger Ale OR Lemon-Lime Club Soda
1--2 Cucumber slices (ribboned, swirled around the side of the glass)
1 cup Ice Cubes (optional)
In a sturdy glass, add 5 Mint leaves to the bottom and 1 Lime wedge, then press them together to release the citrus juice. Add 2 more Lime wedges and the Cane Sugar, and press again to release more Lime juice. Do not strain the mixture. Swirl the Cucumber slices by hand around the inside of the glass. Add the Soda and the optional Ice cubes, top with Mint leaf & last Lime wedge. Light and refreshing - Enjoy!
9.) Cucumber Dip:
Great with Potato Chips, Carrot or Celery Sticks, or Pita Chips.
Mix 1 Cup Vegan Sour Cream + 1 Cup Vegan Mayonnaise + 1 Tablespoon Onion (minced OR dried) + 2 Tablespoons Parsley (fresh OR dried) + 2 teaspoons Dill (fresh OR dried) + 1 teaspoon Celery Seeds + 1 teaspoon Onion Powder + 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt Powder
10.) Saute'ed Cucumber:
1 Cucumber (sliced to your preferred thickness) + Smoked Paprika + Red Pepper Flakes (to taste) + Olive Oil + Kosher Salt (optional)
Saute' sliced Cucumbers in Olive Oil, sprinkling Smoked Paprika on them then Red Pepper Flakes, flip, cook to your tenderness, creating a lovely spiciness and smokiness. Top with Kosher Salt, if you like. Delicious!
11.) Cucumber Soup:
1 Cucumber peeled, seeded, & chopped (about 2 Cups) + ½ Cup Nut Milk + 1 Garlic Clove (peeled) + 1 Sprig of Dill (fresh) + 1 teaspoon Celery Seed + Pinch Basil (dried) + 1 Green Onion + 1 Sweet Apple peeled & cored (I used a Red Delicious) + Juice of 1 Lime + ½ teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt or to taste + 1/2 Cup Water
Blend on High
Strain through Colander.
Chill at least 30 Minutes (it is best served cold).
To Serve, drizzle a swirl of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a "plop" of Sour Cream on top. Makes 2 Servings.
Why are cucumbers wrapped in plastic? & other "rubbish" by two British blokes who get into the very minutae of plastics. Fast forward to the 19:00 minute mark where they finally talk about cucumber wrap on TalkingRubbishPodcast.com.
12.) Cucumber Water:
Health benefits of cucumber water may include hydration, weight loss, lowering blood pressure, and skin health.
13.) Cucumber Salad Dressing:
Version I
Blend the following: 2 Cucumbers (peeled & seeded) + 1 Cup Vegan Mayo + 1 teaspoon minced Garlic + 2 Scallion OR Green Onions + 2 Tablespoon Lemon Juice + 2 Tablepoon Vegan Sour Cream + 2 Tablespoons Cane Sugar + 1 Tablespoon Red Onion (minced) + 1 teaspoon Dill + Salt to taste
Strain to remove any chunks, to make it smooth
Version II
1 Cucumber (large) + 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice (fresh) + 1 Green Onion (including top) + 2 Tablespoons Onion Flakes + 1/8 teaspoon Sea Salt (optional)
Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy. If thinner dressing is desired, add Water.
14.) TikToker Container Cucumber:
While scrolling through the news, I stumbled upon a headline that caught my eye: 'Salad Recipe Causes Cucumber Shortage in Iceland.' And since I was about to write this blog collecting cucumber recipes, I couldn’t resist clicking on the article which led me to this recipe which led me to this recipe inspired by Logan, also known as @logagm on TikTok. It turns out that Logan is a huge advocate for cucumbers and a dedicated fan of this unique fruit (yes, cucumbers are technically a fruit!). Botanically speaking, a fruit is the fleshy or dry ripened ovary of a flowering plant that encloses the seed or seeds—essentially, any edible part of a plant that contains seeds. So, here is my modified, even healthier, version:
Using a mandolin, slice the Cucumber directly into a large takeout container.
Drizzle in some Liquid Aminos OR Coconut Aminos (note: Liquid Aminos tastes like Soy Sauce and is REALLY salty, whereas Coconut Aminos is a sweeter and less salty).
Drizzle in some Sesame Oil.
Sprinkle on some Cane Sugar.
Drizzle on some Honey OR Maple Syrup.
Shake in some Sesame Seeds.
Grate in 1-2 Garlic Cloves.
Cut in 2 Green Onions (using food scissors, if available).
Put the top on it and shake, to allow all the flavors to blend.
You can either eat while it is crunchy or let it marinate for an hour.
Eat and Enjoy! (can eat it with baked Tofu, Seaweed, or as a side dish).
15.) Crispy Cucumbers:
Mix 1 Cup Flour + 1 Cup Seltzer Water OR Sprite/7Up +1/4 Cup Corn Meal + 2 teaspoons your favorite Cajun Seasoning and Stir together as batter (+ 2 Tablespoon Panko Bread Crumbs for Xtra crispy)
Choose the Right Oil: Use oils with a high smoke point like vegetable, corn, peanut, or sunflower oil. Avoid oils with low smoke points like olive oil. Heat the oil to the right temperature, usually between 350°F and 375°F (175°C to 190°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry small batches to prevent the oil temperature from dropping too quickly, which can lead to soggy food. Overcrowding also makes the food cook unevenly.
Fry time: Fry the food until it turns golden brown and crispy, usually 3–5 minutes, turning so the opposite side is cooked as well.
Drain the Excess Oil: Remove and drain: Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the food from the oil and place it on paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Serve with Cucumber Dip!
Did you know? Cucumber pairs with the following: Lime, Sugar, Mint, Cilantro, Dill, Green Apple, Red Apple, Lemon, Basil, Ginger, Chili Pepper, Celery, Green Cabbage, Scallions, Green Onions, Potatoes, Strawberries, Sour Cream
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