Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 20 Cucumber Recipes That Go Far Beyond a Basic Salad Add a crunch to your meals with fresh cucumber. By Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on August 21, 2024 Close Photo: Victor Protasio Cucumbers are healthy, refreshing, and can add some much-needed crunch to salads, dips, rice bowls, and more. The versatile fruit (yes, cucumbers are a fruit!) shines in dishes of all kinds, meaning there are plenty of cucumber recipes to choose from. Some of our favorite cucumber dishes include Green Gazpacho with Smoked Trout and Cantaloupe and Cucumber Salad, and while those are summer-y meals, cucumbers are available year-round. Still, if you want to buy and cook with cucumbers at their freshest point, shop for them in May through August when they reach peak freshness. No matter what time of year it is, get ready to roll up your sleeves and put your cucumber haul to good use with this recipe roundup of cucumber dishes you can eat all year long. TikTok's Viral Cucumber Guy Shares 5 Recipes Featuring His Favorite Vegetable 01 of 20 Hoisin-Serrano Meatballs and Rice Noodle Salad Don’t worry, this isn’t a boring salad. Here, succulent meatballs are jam-packed with flavor thanks to the sweetness of hoisin sauce and the spiciness of chili-garlic sauce and serrano chilis, while the bed of rice noodles is dressed with the same flavorful combo. Cooling cucumbers, carrots, and lettuce expertly balance out the heat. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 20 Greek Salad with Chicken, Feta “Croutons” and Tahini Dressing Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Cucumbers are a staple in any Greek salad, and this recipe is no exception. However, this isn’t exactly a typical Greek salad either. In addition to cucumbers you’ll also find lettuce, tomato, and croutons made of feta cheese, as well as seasoned chicken pieces for even more protein. Everything is then coated in a tahini-honey dressing for yet another flavorful boost. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 20 Rosemary Lamb Chops Greg DuPree Lamb may seem complicated to make, but we promise it’s not. For this 15-minute recipe, you’ll season and top lamb chops with a flavorful combination of mayonnaise, Castelvetrano olives, and plenty of fresh rosemary. The meat is served alongside olive-and-rosemary bulgur with smashed cucumber, which rounds out this easy yet delicious meal. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 20 Crispy Falafel Bites Fred Hardy We promise you will savor every bite of these crispy falafel patties, no matter what follows. The coolness of the creamy homemade tzatziki made with chopped cucumber and Greek yogurt perfectly balances the spicy serrano pepper in the bites. Seared until crispy and crunchy, these little delights are an excellent savory choice for a light starter. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 20 Glazed Salmon Burgers Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Carla Gonzalez Hart Salmon and cucumber are a match made in heaven, as proven by these tasty burgers. The patties are made with salmon fillets, mayonnaise, scallions, garlic, and wasabi for a whisper of heat. The potato buns also pull double duty, as they are in the patty to help bind all of the ingredients together and sandwich the salmon patties once they’re cooked. Also on the bun you’ll find a cucumber salad dressed in a mayonnaise-wasabi mixture that teams up with avocado and Bibb lettuce to top each burger. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 20 Antipasto Salad Victor Protasio This dish reimagines melon and prosciutto—a classic Italian combo—as an ace salad that’s ready in just 15 minutes. In addition to that sweet and savory duo, you’ll find crisp Little Gem lettuce, buttery Castelvetrano olives, creamy burrata, refreshing cucumber slices, and crunchy pistachios. Since this salad is so packed with flavor, the only dressing you need is a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 20 Shawarma-Seasoned Cauliflower and Chickpea Pitas Fred Hardy Grab a sheet pan and just a handful of ingredients—cauliflower, chickpeas, yogurt, pita, cucumber, and red onion—to whip up this simple and healthy vegetarian dinner. The key to this dish is in the shawarma spice blend that seasons the roasted cauliflower and hearty chickpeas with the likes of turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and garlic. If you’re not a cauliflower fan, try this one-pan recipe with mushrooms or winter squash instead. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 20 Green Gazpacho with Smoked Trout Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless This refreshing gazpacho gets its green hue from cucumbers blended with feta cheese, cilantro, and yogurt, resulting in a zippy, herby, delightful soup. Garlic and red wine vinegar add plenty of flavor, as does the olive oil drizzled in to emulsify the soup. Top with store-bought hot-smoked trout fillets, more cucumber, and cilantro to complete the meal. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 20 Big Breakfast Salad Victor Protasio This hearty dish has all your favorite breakfast components, making it an impressive salad candidate. It features roasted potatoes sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning, crunchy bagel chips, sweet cherry tomatoes, mini cucumbers, and plenty of jammy eggs. A creamy avocado-basil dressing coats all of the ingredients. What’s not to love? GET THE RECIPE 10 of 20 Za’atar Tofu Skewers with Tomato Salad & Hummus Jennifer Causey Easy and filling, you can get this vegetarian recipe on the table in just 30 minutes. You’ll start by making the zesty tomato-cucumber-olive salad to go alongside, and will then switch gears and season and cook the tofu with za’atar—a Middle Eastern spice blend made with thyme, marjoram, sumac, and sesame seeds. Once the tofu is done cooking, all that’s left to do is grab your store-bought hummus and plate this feast. Easy enough, right? GET THE RECIPE 11 of 20 Cantaloupe and Cucumber Salad Victor Protasio This sweet and savory salad is as fresh as it gets. Here, thick slices of feta, chunks of sweet cantaloupe, slices of crisp mini seedless cucumbers, and chopped buttery Castelvetrano olives are bathed in a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Enjoy this on its own for lunch, or pair it with grilled meats or fish for dinner. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 20 Cucumber Spritzer Victor Protasio A homemade mint simple syrup is mixed with fresh lime juice and cucumber to create this invigorating spritzer. This recipe makes eight cocktails, but you can easily double or triple the recipe to prepare an entire batch of cucumber drinks. If you're wanting to make this fizzy libation a mocktail, replace the gin with additional club soda. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 20 Cornbread Panzanella Greg DuPree If you’re unfamiliar with panzanella, it’s basically a tomato and bread salad, which is as delicious as it sounds. This version is made with golden cornbread croutons that are tossed with a mix of juicy heirloom and cherry tomatoes, zippy red onion, crisp cucumber, and chunks of creamy avocado. You’ll also find delicious mozzarella balls, as well as thinly sliced basil for freshness. This salad is a summer staple, but works any time of the year so long as you can find juicy tomatoes. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 20 Nutty Tofu Bowls Caitlin Bensel Rice, the base of this vegetarian bowl, is joined by crispy tofu slathered in a quick but rich sauce made with peanut butter, soy sauce, and a touch of fiery fresh ginger, as well as zingy cucumber slices. The cucumber is marinated in seasoned rice vinegar and crushed red pepper, which gives it a welcome kick that balances the creaminess of the tofu. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 20 Lemony Chopped Salad with Pita Victor Protasio No matter what you’re craving, this 30-minute salad will (likely) hit the spot. It’s packed with crispy roasted chickpeas, toasted pita bread croutons, crunchy cucumbers, spicy radishes, and tart cherry tomatoes. You’ll also find salty goat cheese and a sprinkling of fresh mint, and everything is slathered in a simple vinaigrette. This recipe is vegetarian, but we promise you won’t miss the meat! GET THE RECIPE 16 of 20 Grilled Sriracha Pork Chops with Sesame Smashed Cucumbers Caitlin Bensel Here, bone-in pork chops are marinated in a spicy sesame-soy sauce that flavors and tenderizes the meat as it cooks. Since the marinade is spicy and packed with flavor, it pairs perfectly with the side of vinegary cucumbers. To trap extra sauce in their textured nooks, smash the cucumbers lightly with the side of a chef's knife, allowing them to break into uneven chunks. You won’t regret it! GET THE RECIPE 17 of 20 Chicken Meatballs with Quick-Pickled Cucumbers Fred Hardy This isn’t a typical meatball recipe, but it’s certainly one worth trying. First, ground chicken is mixed with chopped scallions for flavor and moisture. The meatballs are then pan-fried in sesame oil before a soy-vinegar glaze coats them, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds some much-needed crunch. Quick-pickled cucumber slices and satisfying rice round out this meal. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 20 Japanese-Style Shrimp Salad Ready in just 15 minutes, this salad is about to become a new favorite for lunch or dinner. In this dish, crunchy romaine and cucumbers, juicy shrimp, and avocado chunks get coated in an irresistible creamy soy-mayo dressing you’ll want to slather on everything. To save time, keep some pre-cooked shrimp in the fridge so you can whip this up at a moment’s notice. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 20 Kiwi-Cucumber Relish Victor Protasio Though kiwi fruit and cucumber aren’t often paired together, they make one stellar duo. Kiwi brings an unexpected pop of sweetness and texture to this spicy relish, while cucumber adds freshness and texture. Serve this bright relish with grilled fish or chicken, sprinkled over pan-seared halloumi, or with poached shrimp. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 20 Grilled Halloumi Salad Greg DuPree Yes, grilled cheese can star in a salad, and this recipe is proof. Here, firm halloumi is charred to perfection and joined by briny kalamata olives, spicy garlic and onion, hydrating cucumbers, and plenty of lettuce. The result is a decidedly decadent dish that can be made at any time. What we love about this salad is that it’s filled with flavor and packs in a ton of good-for-you ingredients, too. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit