10+ Cucumber Recipes to Refresh Your Summer Meals

Cucumbers are a simple and refreshing ingredient you can use in many dishes. They add crunch and a mild flavor that works well in both cold and warm recipes.

You can find a variety of cucumber recipes that are easy to make. These recipes are perfect for different meals or snacks.

Whether you want something light, tangy, or a little bit spicy, cucumbers fit right in.

1) Asian Cucumber Salad with sesame and ginger

This Asian cucumber salad is cool, fresh, and easy to make. You’ll love the mix of crunchy cucumber with a tangy dressing made from sesame oil, rice vinegar, and fresh ginger.

The garlic and soy sauce add a nice kick. Sesame seeds give it a little crunch.

You can make this salad vegan and gluten-free by using tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. It only takes a few minutes to prepare.

You can find a simple recipe for this kind of salad at Feasting at Home for more ideas on dressing options.

Ingredients:

• 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Slice cucumbers thinly and place in a bowl.
2. In a small bowl, whisk rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.
3. Pour dressing over cucumbers and toss gently.
4. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
5. Chill in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before serving.

2) Cucumber Salad with fresh dill and vinegar dressing

Try cucumber with fresh dill and a tangy vinegar dressing for a simple and refreshing salad. This salad is cool and light, perfect for hot days.

Mix sliced cucumbers with chopped fresh dill. Add thinly sliced red onions for crunch and flavor.

The dressing is made with vinegar, a touch of sugar, and salt to balance the taste. Toss everything gently so the cucumbers soak up the dressing.

Let it chill in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors blend well.

Ingredients

• 3 cucumbers, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup vinegar (apple cider or white vinegar)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and slice the cucumbers.
2. Thinly slice the red onion.
3. Chop the fresh dill.
4. In a bowl, whisk vinegar, sugar, and salt.
5. Combine cucumbers, onion, and dill in a large bowl.
6. Pour dressing over the vegetables and toss gently.
7. Chill in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before serving.

For a great guide, try this cucumber salad with dill vinaigrette.

3) Cucumber & Yogurt Salad with garlic and salt

This cucumber and yogurt salad is fresh and easy to make. Start by peeling and slicing cucumbers.

Sprinkle salt on them to draw out extra water and keep the salad crisp. Mix plain yogurt with minced garlic for a strong, tasty flavor.

Combine the cucumbers and yogurt. Add a little more salt if you like.

You can also squeeze some lemon juice for a bright touch. This salad is cool and creamy, perfect as a side dish.

It pairs well with grilled meats or your favorite Mediterranean meals.

Ingredients

• 4 large cucumbers, peeled and sliced
• 2 cups plain low-fat yogurt
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt (plus extra as needed)
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and slice the cucumbers thinly.
2. Sprinkle salt over the cucumbers and let them sit for 10 minutes.
3. In a bowl, mix yogurt with minced garlic and lemon juice.
4. Rinse the cucumbers briefly to remove excess salt, then drain well.
5. Combine cucumbers with the yogurt mixture and stir gently.
6. Chill for 15 minutes before serving for best flavor.

You can find similar recipes for cucumber yogurt salad with garlic and salt here.

4) Marinated Cucumbers with onions and sweet vinaigrette

Make a refreshing side dish with thin cucumber and onion slices. Toss them in a sweet and tangy vinaigrette for a simple salad.

This dish works great for summer meals or as a quick snack. The cucumbers stay crisp while soaking up the flavors of the vinaigrette.

The sweetness balances the sharpness of the vinegar and onions. Letting it chill helps the flavors blend.

This salad is easy to prepare and ready in about 10 minutes. It pairs well with grilled foods or picnic dishes.

Ingredients

• 2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine vinegar, sugar, salt, and water in a bowl. Stir until sugar and salt dissolve.
2. Add cucumber and onion slices to the vinaigrette. Toss well to coat.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
4. Stir before serving and enjoy your crisp marinated cucumber salad.

For more ideas, check this Crisp Marinated Cucumbers Recipe.

5) Spicy Thai Cucumber Salad with soy sauce and sesame oil

Try this spicy Thai cucumber salad for its crisp texture and bold flavors. The soy sauce and sesame oil add a rich, savory taste that balances the heat from chili.

It’s quick to make and pairs well with grilled meats or as a refreshing side dish. Fresh cucumbers are sliced thin and tossed with a dressing made from soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and chili garlic sauce.

A sprinkle of sesame seeds on top adds a nutty crunch. This salad is perfect when you want something light but flavorful.

You can keep it vegan and gluten-free by choosing gluten-free soy sauce. Chill it for a bit before serving to let the flavors blend.

Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the cucumbers thinly and place them in a bowl.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, and minced garlic.
3. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss to coat evenly.
4. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
5. Chill the salad in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before serving.

6) 5-Minute Cucumber Salad with scallions and rice vinegar

This salad is perfect when you want something quick and fresh. It mixes crisp cucumber slices with the sharp flavor of scallions and the tang of rice vinegar.

You can toss it together in just five minutes. The simple dressing uses rice vinegar, a bit of sugar, and salt.

This balance makes the cucumbers taste bright and light. It’s a great side dish for almost any meal.

You can enjoy this salad right away or chill it for a few minutes to deepen the flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 large English cucumber, thinly sliced
• 3 scallions, sliced
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the cucumber and scallions thinly.
2. In a bowl, mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved.
3. Toss the cucumber and scallions with the vinegar mixture.
4. Serve immediately or chill for 10 minutes.

More details on this salad are available at 5-Minute Cucumber Salad – Simply Recipes.

7) Dad’s Smashed Cucumber Salad by James Beard Award chef

This smashed cucumber salad comes from a chef with over 50 years of experience and two James Beard Awards. It’s a quick, refreshing dish that’s tangy, spicy, and crunchy.

The cucumbers are lightly smashed to release juices, then mixed with garlic, chili, and a bit of vinegar. This salad is perfect as a side or a snack.

You can make it in just minutes. It’s a great way to add fresh flavor to your meals.

Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Smash the cucumbers gently with a rolling pin or the side of a knife.
2. Cut cucumbers into bite-sized pieces.
3. Mix garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili flakes, and salt in a bowl.
4. Add cucumbers and toss well.
5. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Check the full recipe details for this dish by a James Beard Award chef.

8) Creamy Cucumber Salad with a tangy dressing

This creamy cucumber salad brings a fresh, cool taste with a tangy twist. Mix thin cucumber slices with sweet onion, garlic, and dill.

The dressing combines mayo or sour cream with vinegar or lemon juice for a bright flavor. It’s simple to make and ready in minutes.

This salad is great for warm days and pairs well with grilled dishes. You can adjust the sweetness or tang to fit your taste.

The salad crunch is refreshing, while the creamy dressing adds a smooth contrast. Adding fresh dill makes it smell and taste just right.

Ingredients

• 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
• ½ cup sour cream or mayo
• 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ¼ cup red or sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix sour cream or mayo, vinegar or lemon juice, sugar, garlic, and dill in a bowl.
2. Add sliced cucumbers and onion. Stir gently to coat.
3. Season with salt and pepper. Chill for 20 minutes before serving.

9) Cucumber Sandwich Filling with fresh herbs

You can make a simple and tasty cucumber sandwich filling using fresh herbs. Start with cream cheese or a soft cheese like labneh as a base.

Mix in chopped herbs like dill, chives, or parsley for fresh flavor. Add a bit of salt and pepper to taste.

Thinly sliced cucumbers give a cool, crisp texture. This filling is light and perfect for a quick snack or a tea party treat.

Use soft bread to keep your sandwiches easy to bite. You can try white, whole wheat, or rye bread.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cream cheese or labneh
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chives, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
• 8 slices soft bread

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix cream cheese with fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.
2. Spread the mixture evenly on each slice of bread.
3. Layer thin cucumber slices on half of the bread slices.
4. Top with the remaining bread slices to make sandwiches.
5. Cut sandwiches into small triangles or squares, if desired, and serve.

10) Marinated Cucumbers, Onions & Tomatoes mix

This marinated salad is fresh and easy to make. It combines cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes with a tangy vinegar dressing.

The vegetables soak in the dressing, which helps the flavors blend. You can prepare it quickly and let it sit to taste even better the next day.

The vinegar adds a nice zing. A little sugar balances the taste.

You can also add herbs or olive oil if you want.

Ingredients

• 3 medium cucumbers, peeled and sliced
• 1 medium onion, sliced into rings
• 3 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons oil (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes in a large bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, mix vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

3. Pour the dressing over the vegetables. Add oil if you want.

4. Stir well to coat everything.

5. Cover the bowl. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.