16+ Cool Cucumber Recipes (2024)

There is a reason that the expression “cool as a cucumber” is so well-known.

These prolific veggies are great to grow at home because they’re easy garden vegetables. Like many vining plants, once you have a cucumber plant growing, you will have more cucumbers than you know what to do with. That’s why you need this excellent collection of cucumber recipe ideas.

The cucumber is a refreshing vegetable that is incredibly versatile and we all love fresh cucumber recipes.

Cucumbers have loads of water so they’re super hydrating and have a delightful crunch.

In recent times, cucumber recipes have become increasingly popular among healthy eaters and food enthusiasts alike. Known for its high water content and cool, crisp texture, cucumbers provide a refreshing and nutritious addition to various dishes. With its versatility, this humble vegetable can be easily incorporated into a wide array of recipes, satisfying both the taste buds and nutritional requirements.

From salads and sandwiches to chilled soups and beverages, the cucumber’s potential in the culinary world is limitless. Its mild flavor complements a variety of ingredients, making it easy for one to experiment and create their own unique dishes. In addition to providing hydration, cucumbers offer essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall well-being.

As it turns out, there are a lot of cucumber dishes out there that don’t involve salads. How does a cucumber margarita sound to you? We’re here for it!

In the list below, we’ve included some of our favorite cucumber salad recipes, but we also have some refreshing surprises on this list of easy cucumber recipes.

Source: ambitiouskitchen.com

1. Caprese Tuna Cucumber Bites with Pesto

If you wonder what to make with cucumbers besides cucumber salads, this first recipe is an easy go-to that works beautifully as a light lunch or appetizer.

These cute little cucumber bites are a quick and easy option for appetizers.

They’re not just cute, though. These cucumber appetizers are made and drizzled with a flavorful balsamic reduction.

You can make these cucumber bites with homemade pesto if you have a recipe you love, but they’re just as yummy when made with store-bought pesto.

The recipe calls for canned tuna, but you can also technically make these cucumber bites with any type of high-quality canned fish or even chicken.

Fresh basil leaves, cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes), and mini mozzarella balls make this a complete snack.

Source: dinneratthezoo.com

2. Watermelon & Cucumber Salad

When you want hydrating appetizers or salads, this watermelon and cucumber salad is exactly what you need.

This refreshing salad with cucumber, watermelon, and Greek feta cheese is perfect for a hot day.

You don’t need to peel the cucumbers for this salad, but peel a stripe down the edges just to make the cucumber slices super pretty.

Be sure you use a seedless watermelon or remove the seeds if you use a regular watermelon.

The Greek feta cheese adds some protein, which can make this salad a light lunch or brunch meal by itself.

Fresh lime juice and mint leaves add lots of freshness, zing, and flavor.

Source: minimalistbaker.com

3. Easy Cucumber Smoothie

Are you looking for cucumber recipes not salad related? How does a cool cucumber smoothie sound?

This cucumber smoothie has the extra sweet kick of pineapple, so it’s going to absolutely delight you and anyone you serve it to.

For a nutrition-rich and easy smoothie, you can’t go wrong with this recipe. With only six ingredients, you have a wonderful refreshing smoothie in less than five minutes.

Keep in mind that cucumbers are 95% water, so they give you natural detoxification that is so good for you.

Besides that, cucumbers are high in vitamin C, B, and A. They also contain anti-inflammatory agents called phytonutrients.

For this cucumber smoothie, you need a banana, coconut milk, lime zest (or lemon zest), fresh lime juice, kale or spinach, and pineapple.

Source: isabeleats.com

4. Cucumber Margarita

A cucumber margarita is perhaps one of the most surprising recipes using cucumbers.

Who knew the humble cucumber could lend itself so well to this classic Mexican co*cktail?

Something about the coolness and freshness of cucumbers makes this cucumber margarita surprisingly and delightfully delicious.

Do you need another reason to love cucumber margaritas? This recipe has just five ingredients.

To make a cucumber margarita, you need coarse kosher salt, lime wedges, cucumbers, silver or white tequila, Triple Sec, and fresh lime juice.

If you want to make this cucumber margarita extra special (and spicy!), add sliced jalapeno peppers into little coins to drop into your drinks.

To add more sweetness, use agave nectar.

Source: spendwithpennies.com

5. Creamy Cucumber Salad

When it comes to traditional and classic cold salads, the creamy cucumber salad is right up there with the best of them.

To make this cucumber salad, you use ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

The long English cucumbers are perfect for this salad because they have thin skin and you don’t have to peel them.

You can use the homemade dressing recipe or a store-bought version.

This cucumber salad is the perfect side dish to serve with BBQ ribs, grilled chicken, or grilled meat.

Serve this cucumber salad with other traditional barbecue side dishes, such as corn on the cob, potato salad, and sliced ripe tomato.

Source: selfproclaimedfoodie.com

6. Quick Refrigerator Dill Pickles

If you thought making homemade pickles was just for canning and food preserving experts, think again!

With this easy recipe for refrigerator dill pickles, you can make some homemade pickles that you can be proud of.

These dill pickles are nice and crispy, and no canning is required, so this is one of our favorite cucumber recipes.

Want to make this homemade pickle recipe even more fun? Add other veggies, including carrots, green beans, asparagus, and cauliflower.

Be sure you use pickling cucumbers or mini cucumbers (a crisp cucumber is essential). Pickling cucumbers are the perfect size and texture for making homemade pickled cucumber recipes.

These refrigerator dill pickles will keep in the fridge for about two months.

When you’ve eaten all of the homemade pickles, don’t toss out the brine with salt and vinegar. You can reuse it by simply adding more fresh cucumber slices.

Source: mommalew.com

7. Thai Cucumber Salad

For a crunchy cucumber salad recipe that is as light and refreshing as a traditional Asian cucumber salad but has unique and exciting flavors, we recommend this Thai cucumber salad recipe.

This Thai cucumber salad may be your new favorite cucumber salad. It’s just that addicting.

To make this Thai cucumber salad, you need sugar, rice vinegar (or white wine vinegar), sesame oil, and chopped peanuts.

Sliced green onion adds tons of flavor and some extra crunch (along with the peanuts) and crushed red pepper flakes give you the perfect kick that we’ve all come to enjoy with Thai food. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for even more crunchiness.

This unique cucumber salad is perfect to serve with BBQ, fried chicken, and other main dishes.

Source: thecookierookie.com

8. Cucumber Salad with Vinegar

It’s nice to have a cucumber salad recipe with vinegar ready when you’re serving up BBQ chicken, ribs, sausage, or steak.

Cucumber salad is also great to have with hamburgers, seafood, fried fish, and hot dogs.

With red onion and cucumbers with the peels still on, this cucumber salad is colorful and gorgeous as well.

To make this vinegar cucumber salad, slice your cucumbers into thick slices that are about 1/4-inch in thickness.

Apple cider vinegar adds tons of flavor and also serves as a natural preservative to keep your vinegar cucumber salad fresh in the fridge.

Source: thekitchn.com

9. Quick Cucumber Sauce

Although this quick and easy cucumber sauce may look like tzatziki, it’s not tzatziki.

Unlike tzatziki, this sauce doesn’t have fresh dill (dried dill also works) or garlic.

Because it doesn’t have strong flavors, the taste of the fresh cucumbers shines through in this sauce.

Traditionally, a creamy cucumber sauce made with sour cream is served atop sliced ripe tomatoes from the garden. This recipe is perfect for that.

You can also use this sauce to spread onto sandwiches or even salad.

This cucumber sauce is made with Greek yogurt, or you can use regular non-fat plain yogurt.

Fresh lemon juice gives this cucumber sauce a nice tangy kick.

You can also serve this cucumber sauce with crackers or even potato chips if you want.

Source: natashaskitchen.com

10. Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad

If there is any veggie that’s as cool as a cucumber, it’s avocado.

This tomato cucumber avocado salad is made with a flavorful and light lemon dressing and has cilantro that makes it super flavorful.

Don’t like cilantro? You can easily leave it out.

The red onion adds lots of color and flavor, and it gives some extra crispness to the salad, too.

Fresh lemon juice adds a zing and keeps your chopped avocado nice and green.

The only seasoning you need for this avocado, cucumber, and tomato salad is salt and pepper.

Use sunflower oil or extra virgin olive oil for the dressing.

Source: crowdedkitchen.com

11. Cucumber Martini

Who knew you could make a sophisticated co*cktail with a simple cucumber?

Using vermouth, vodka, and freshly muddled cucumber, you can create this delicious botanical cucumber martini.

The hints of fresh lime juice add complexity and contrast to this cucumber martini, giving it almost a margarita vibe.

The flavors aren’t overpowering at all, and this cucumber martini is perfect for a refreshing summer co*cktail.

The secret ingredient to this co*cktail is basil. It really makes it stand out from the crowd of other exotic and creative martinis.

You will need to strain this martini well, and straining it twice may help remove some of the seeds and pulp.

Source: feelgoodfoodie.net

12. Cucumber Juice

When it comes to juicing, nothing is cooler and fresher than cucumber juice.

In fact, you may be tempted to buy a juicer just so you can make this delicious and refreshing juice.

Cucumber juice is a great way to add minerals and nutrients to your diet while also staying hydrated.

In this recipe, you want to use the freshest cucumbers available, and if they’re organic cucumbers, that’s even better.

Fresh lemon juice adds a delightful zing to your cucumber juice, and if you have to, you can use bottled lemon juice, too.

The fresh mint leaves make this cucumber juice even fresher, and mint is a nutrient-rich herb that helps with digestion.

Source: belleofthekitchen.com

13. Greek Salad

When you want a light cucumber salad with complex flavors and healthy ingredients, reach for this Greek salad recipe.

This Greek salad is loaded with tons of veggies, including Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion.

The black olives add some heart-healthy protein and good fat, while the Greek feta cheese brings its own unique flavor and even more protein.

Fresh lemon juice and red onion add freshness and tanginess to this Greek salad.

The only seasoning you need for this flavorful salad is sea salt, black pepper, and dried oregano.

The dressing for this salad mixes together super easily and consists of extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and dried oregano.

Source: twopeasandtheirpod.com

14. Tzatziki (Cucumber Dill Sauce)

Tzatziki is an excellent dip that’s made with cucumber, creamy yogurt (or Greek yogurt), fresh dill sprigs, fresh lemon juice, and garlic (or garlic powder).

This delicious dip originated in the Middle East and it has a fresh flavor that adds brightness to savory dishes.

Tzatziki is perfect for eating with potato chips, fresh veggies, pita chips, or crackers. It also makes a wonderful spread for sandwiches.

The key is grating the cucumber and then getting all of the moisture out of it.

You can use an English cucumber because with these cucumbers, you can barely see the seeds. Also, you don’t have to peel them.

Source: spendwithpennies.com

15. Cucumber Water

If you’ve ever spent time at a day spa, you may have enjoyed the simple treat..

With sliced cucumbers, sliced lemon, and sliced lime, this cucumber water is brimming with a fruity citrus flavor.

What really sends this cucumber water over the top is the fresh mint sprigs that add so much flavor and nutrition.

Sipping on cucumber water is an excellent way to stay hydrated, and you can add even more hydration if you add chunks of watermelon to the cucumber water.

All you need to do to make cucumber water is add the thinly sliced cucumber and fruit to a pitcher with your fresh mint. An hour later, you have delicious cucumber water.

Source: lemontreedwelling.com

16. Cucumber Dill Sandwiches

Cucumber sandwiches are the perfect little sandwiches to serve at a bridal shower, tea party, or Mother’s Day brunch.

Cucumber sandwiches have been a traditional tea party menu item since the 1800s.

Believe it or not, cucumber sandwiches wereconsidered to be high-class food because only the wealthiest people could afford them.

These light sandwiches are a classic brunch treat and they’re super light and refreshing.

Also, cucumber sandwiches are super simple to make right in your own kitchen.

This is a sandwich that calls for soft white bread, and the cucumbers should be sliced very thinly.

Cream cheese makes these sandwiches super creamy. The fresh lemon juice, garlic powder, and fresh dill add tons of flavor.

How does a spicy cucumber side dish sound? Check out the video below for a unique cucumber recipe.