25 Cucumber Recipes Packed with a Cool Crunch
This hydrating vegetable is just what you need!
When the warm weather hits, it’s time to alternate all those heavy, hearty casseroles with light, refreshing dishes. While there’s definitely room on your spring and summer menus for all your comfort-food favorites (just take these cozy spring recipes, for instance), the sunny days and balmy nights probably have you craving fresh, vibrant meals loaded with crisp vegetables. While there are so many in-season veggies to choose from, cucumbers are some of the best to have on hand when the temperature reaches above 70 degrees. They’re juicy, crunchy, hydrating, and incredibly versatile: Toss them in a spring salad, throw them in a nourishing rice bowl, or use them to scoop up your favorite summer dips. Whether you're growing cucumbers in your backyard or grabbing a few from the grocery store, make them your go-to green for all your spring and summer eats (and beyond!).
These cucumber recipes prove that you can use the refreshing veggie in so many tasty ways, from sandwiches and salads to burgers and bowls. Cucumber often plays a pivotal role in Mediterranean-inspired dishes like tangy pasta salads and creamy tzatziki dips and Asian-flavored fare like cold noodle bowls and crisp lettuce wraps. If you’re looking for foolproof family dinners, try salmon and veggie grain bowls or turkey burgers stuffed in pita pockets. For a light bite that’ll hydrate and nourish everyone at your warm-weather get-togethers, prepare dainty cucumber sandwiches or green goddess dip. Of course, you can never go wrong with a simple cucumber salad that comes together in record time!
Need more cucumber inspiration? Here are 25 delicious cucumber recipes packed with crunchy texture and fresh flavor.
Cucumber Salad
This cool, crunchy side dish comes together in record time! It's a refreshing bite alongside cookout favorites like barbecue and hot dogs. Plus, because there's no mayo involved, it can stand up to the heat of summer!
Get the Cucumber Salad recipe.
Nicoise Salad
Tossing cucumbers into your salad doesn’t have to be boring! This Nicoise salad is filled with color and crunch, thanks to cucumbers and a medley of other veggies.
Get Ree’s Nicoise Salad recipe.
Grilled Sesame Pork Kebabs with Cucumber Salad
Summer days call for hearty yet refreshing dinners, and that's exactly what you'll find in this kebab and cucumber salad pairing. The thinly sliced cucumbers in a tangy, simple dressing contrast perfectly with the smoky, tender pork kebabs.
Get Ree's Grilled Sesame Pork Kebabs with Cucumber Salad recipe.
Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad
This simple summer salad will satisfy your cravings on those extra hot days. Chock full of crisp cucumber, heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs, and salty feta, it's flavorful enough to eat on its own or alongside your favorite grilled meats!
Get Ree's Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad recipe.
Salmon Rice Bowls
Crisp mini cucumber slices add a cool crunch to these spicy honey-glazed salmon rice bowls. Want to level up the green goodness? Add creamy avocado on top for a fresh, dreamy finish!
Get the Salmon Rice Bowl recipe here.
Couscous Salad
Transform couscous into a bright, zingy dish with this Mediterranean-inspired recipe. It’s loaded with fresh produce like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and pomegranate seeds, and it’s finished off with a simple, zesty dressing.
Get the Couscous Salad recipe.
Seared Steak with Sesame Noodle Salad
This cucumber recipe is fast and flavorful—a winning combo! The sesame noodle salad packs a crunch from chopped cucumbers, shredded cabbage, and sliced scallions, and the steak is tender and juicy. All you need is 30 minutes to churn out this meal!
Get Ree’s Seared Steak with Sesame Noodle Salad recipe.
Steak Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Whether you offer them as an appetizer or make them your main meal, these lettuce wraps have it all: sizzling steak, tender rice noodles, crisp cucumbers, colorful carrots, and a melt-in-your mouth peanut sauce that ties it all together beautifully.
Get Ree’s Steak Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce recipe.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Cucumbers play an important supporting role in this orzo salad, along with cherry tomatoes, red onion, chickpeas, olives, feta, and parsley. Since this dish is easy to transport, it’s perfect for potlucks and picnics alike!
Get Ree’s Mediterranean Orzo Salad recipe.
Avocado Salad
Heirloom tomatoes, fresh avocado, and crunchy cucumbers combine in this simple salad dressed in zippy salsa verde. It's summer eating at its best!
Get the Avocado Salad recipe.
Tabbouleh Salad
Finely chopped English cucumber brings a refreshing crunch to this Mediterranean classic. Packed with vibrant veggies like juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and fragrant parsley, this light and lively salad has a burst of garden-fresh goodness in every bite!
Get the Tabbouleh Salad recipe.
Green Goddess Chicken Salad Dip
Scoop up this vibrant green dip! A spin on the viral salad dip trend, this creamy concoction is full of flavor and texture. Serve with pita chips or tortilla chips for the perfect bite.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Thinly sliced cucumbers and celery leaves bathed in homemade ranch dressing make a refreshing, cooling antidote to Ree's hot buffalo chicken meatballs! The crunchy and light cucumber salad rounds the meatballs out for the perfect, easy weeknight meal.
Get Ree's Buffalo Chicken Meatballs recipe.
Tea Sandwiches
Hosting a luncheon or afternoon tea soon? These pretty, petite sandwiches are just what you need! The recipe includes three different options—curried chicken salad, ham and cheese, and a scrumptious smoked salmon and cucumber sandwich.
Get the Tea Sandwiches recipe.
Greek Pasta Salad
This pasta is everything you'd expect in a Greek salad—ripe tomatoes, briny olives, salty feta, fresh dill, and crisp cucumbers. Bring it to the cookout or serve it for dinner with grilled chicken or shrimp.
Get the Greek Pasta Salad recipe.
Salmon Burgers with Sesame-Soy Glaze
These salmon burgers are glazed in an addictive sauce that's sticky, savory, and a little bit sweet. The perfect topping for the burgers? A zingy cucumber salad that adds a welcomed dose of freshness and crunch.
Get Ree's Salmon Burgers with Sesame-Soy Glaze recipe.
Chickpea Salad
Crisp cucumber adds a crunchy element to this salad filled with tender chickpeas, juicy tomato, and creamy avocado. Make a big batch for easy lunches all week long! Thanks to lemon juice, the avocado stays relatively fresh.
Get the Chickpea Salad recipe.
Chef's Salad on a Stick
Try this new way of serving salad to a crowd! Perfect for summer potlucks and cookouts, these skewers combine everything you love about a traditional chef's salad into a portable dish. Just drizzle with ranch and serve!
Get the Chef's Salad on a Stick recipe.
Tzatziki
Serve this tzatziki as a sauce with grilled meats, a party dip for veggies or pita, or on Ree's Spinach and Feta Chicken Burgers. It is scrumptiously cool and creamy.
Get the Tzatziki recipe.
Mediterranean Salmon-Veggie Grain Bowl
In a weeknight dinner rut? This wholesome bowl will pull you right out. The best thing about serving grain bowls for dinner is that everyone can build them as they please!
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