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.

    1/36

    Crisp Cucumber Salsa

    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

    Get Recipe

    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.

    2/36

    Taste of Home

    Cucumber Party Sandwiches

    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

    Go to Recipe

    3/36

    Kansas Cucumber Salad

    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

    Go to Recipe

    4/36

    Taste of Home

    Chicken Cucumber Pitas

    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.

    Go to Recipe

    5/36

    Mama's Warm German Potato Salad

    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

    Go to Recipe

    6/36

    Watermelon Cups

    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

    Go to Recipe

    7/36

    Fresh Veggie Pockets

    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

    Go to Recipe

    8/36

    Taste of Home

    Chicken with Mango-Cucumber Salsa

    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

    Go to Recipe

    9/36

    Sesame-Ginger Cucumber Salad

    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

    10/36

    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

    Go to Recipe

    11/36

    Greek Shrimp Canapes

    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

    Go to Recipe

    12/36

    Cheeseburger Bowl

    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

    Go to Recipe

    13/36

    Taste of Home

    Dad's Greek Salad

    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

    Go to Recipe

    14/36

    Taste of Home

    Fresh Cucumber Salad

    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

    Go to Recipe

    15/36

    Taste of Home

    Turkey Gyros

    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

    Go to Recipe

    16/36

    Kohlrabi, Cucumber and Tomato Salad

    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

    Go to Recipe

    17/36

    Sour Cream Cucumbers

    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

    Go to Recipe

    18/36

    Taste of Home

    Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

    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

    Go to Recipe

    19/36

    Favorite Cucumber Salad

    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

    Go to Recipe

    20/36

    Minty Watermelon-Cucumber Salad

    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

    Go to Recipe

    21/36

    Ginger Salmon with Cucumber Lime Sauce

    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

    Go to Recipe

    22/36

    Creamy Cucumber Salad

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

    Go to Recipe

    23/36

    Cucumber Canapes

    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

    24/36

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

    Go to Recipe

    25/36

    Garden Tomato Salad

    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

    26/36

    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

    Go to Recipe

    27/36

    Cucumber and Red Onion Salad

    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

    Go to Recipe

    28/36

    29/36

    Inside-Out Veggie Dip

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

    Go to Recipe

    30/36

    Balsamic Cucumber Salad

    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

    Go to Recipe

    31/36

    Chicken with Peach-Cucumber Salsa

    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

    32/36

    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

    Go to Recipe

    33/36

    TMB Studio

    Mint-Cucumber Tomato Sandwiches

    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

    Go to Recipe

    34/36

    Chopped Garden Salad

    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

    Go to Recipe

    35/36

    Dill Garden Salad

    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

    Go to Recipe

    36/36

    Cucumber-Melon Smoothies

    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

    Go to Recipe

    Originally Published: March 18, 2019

    36 Cucumber Recipes to Make This Summer (2024)

    FAQs

    What to make with extra cucumbers? ›

    #4 Soup Your Cucumbers

    Quick to make and easy to reheat, or eat cold. Combine cukes, onion and broth in a sauce pan and simmer for 20 minutes or until tender. Puree until smooth. Blend in sour cream, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

    How to make cucumbers taste good? ›

    Cucumbers are crunchy and cool with just some vinegar, salt, and pepper. But added dill or chopped fresh basil will elevate this simple cucumber salad to something just a bit more interesting. I like adding a mix of regular basil and Thai basil (the one that tastes somewhat licorice-y).

    What fruit pairs well with cucumber? ›

    Spices: Cucumbers pair well with spices such as black pepper, cumin, and coriander. Fruits: Cucumbers pair well with fruits such as tomatoes, watermelon, and berries. Meats: Cucumbers pair well with meats such as chicken, salmon, and tuna. Seafood: Cucumbers pair well with seafood such as shrimp, crab, and oysters.

    What to add to 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.

    What should not be mixed with cucumber? ›

    People often eat both cucumber and radish mixed in salad. However, both can react with each other. Cucumber contains ascorbate, which acts to absorb vitamin C. In such a situation, when you eat radish with it, it creates obstruction in this process, which can lead to a variety of health concerns.

    Can I freeze extra 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.

    How can I make my cucumbers taste better? ›

    Here are some methods to help - 1. Rubbing the Ends This is one of the most popular and commonly used methods to remove the bitterness of cucumber. All you need to do is thinly cut off the last part of the stem or blossom end of the cucumber and with that piece rub the end of the cucumber in a circular motion.

    Why soak cucumbers in salt water? ›

    This salt treatment draws water out of the cucumbers and flavors them, so it's critically important. After layering or mixing in plenty of sea salt, I cover the salted cukes with ice cubes and a tea towel and forget about them for a few hours.

    How do you make cucumbers happy? ›

    Cucumbers will grow quickly with little care. Be sure they receive an inch of water every week. Make the most of your food growing efforts by regularly feeding plants with a water-soluble plant food. When soil is warm, add a layer of straw mulch to keep fruit clean and help keep slugs and beetles away.

    What is the best thing to eat with cucumber? ›

    Cucumber recipes
    • Grilled salmon teriyaki with cucumber salad. ...
    • Cucumber salad with pickled red onions. ...
    • Crunchy watercress, cucumber & radish salad. ...
    • Greek salad. ...
    • Salmon, samphire & charred cucumber salad. ...
    • Courgette fritters with dill & cucumber sauce. ...
    • Thai salad. ...
    • Cod with cucumber, avocado & mango salsa salad.

    What is the best companion for cucumbers? ›

    Best Cucumber Companion Plants
    • Legumes (peas, beans, lentils)
    • Corn.
    • Root vegetables (radishes, beets, carrots, garlic)
    • Select flowers (marigolds, nasturtiums, sunflowers)
    • Select herbs (dill and oregano)
    Jun 6, 2023

    Is it OK to eat cucumber and watermelon together? ›

    While cucumbers and watermelons have many health benefits, watermelon is sweet, too much of this good thing can raise blood sugar levels. The combination of watermelon and cucumber makes for a tasty, fresh, and healthy salad. The recipe below calls for lemon, which also happens to be a diuretic, antioxidant ingredient.

    How to make cucumbers more tasty? ›

    Marinate them:

    Slice the cucumbers and place them in a bowl with a mixture of vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, and your choice of herbs and spices. Allow the cucumbers to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. The longer they marinate, the more intense the flavours will be.

    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.

    How do you preserve leftover cucumbers? ›

    The best way to store cut cucumbers is to wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in an airtight storage container. The tight, locking seal on the cover of the container will help to keep them extra fresh. Place the container in your refrigerator or in the crisper drawer and use the cut cukes within five days.

    What are overgrown cucumbers good for? ›

    Pink, I use those big cucumbers to make Grandma's cucumber relish, we got through jars of it every year. Dad loves it, David and Amanda love it, I like it for burgers and pulled pork. It uses up all those "too big" cukes so I don't feel guilty when I miss them!

    What to do with straight 8 cucumbers? ›

    Picked when about 5", they are the best for canning; pickles, relishes, etc. LOVE a fresh cucumber, tomato, basil, feta cheese salad!

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Maia Crooks Jr

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6012

    Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

    Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Maia Crooks Jr

    Birthday: 1997-09-21

    Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

    Phone: +2983088926881

    Job: Principal Design Liaison

    Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

    Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.