10+ Cucumber Recipes for Fresh and Easy Summer Meals

Cucumbers are honestly some of the most refreshing and versatile veggies around. If you’re after something light, crunchy, or just cool, there are so many cucumber recipes that fit the bill.

You can whip up tasty dishes with cucumbers using just a handful of ingredients and barely any time. These recipes make great sides, snacks, or meal additions—cucumbers just fit right in.

1) Asian Cucumber Salad with rice vinegar and sesame

This Asian cucumber salad comes together fast with rice vinegar and sesame oil. It’s cool, crisp, and packed with simple flavors—think soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.

The dressing brings a tangy, nutty kick thanks to the rice vinegar and sesame oil. Sesame seeds add a little crunch and another layer of flavor.

Want it sweeter or with a bit of heat? Toss in a pinch of sugar or chili flakes. If you want more punch, add green onions or a little extra garlic.

Ingredients:

• 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• 1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Pinch of chili flakes (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Slice cucumbers thin and toss them in a bowl.
2. Mix rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and garlic in a small bowl.
3. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss well.
4. Top with sesame seeds and chili flakes.
5. Let it chill for 15 minutes in the fridge before serving.

You can check out an Asian cucumber salad recipe for more details.

2) 5-Minute Cucumber Salad with scallions and sugar

This one’s for when you’re in a rush. Just slice up cucumbers and scallions.

Add sugar and rice vinegar for a gentle tang and sweetness. A little salt wakes everything up.

It’s crisp, simple, and ready in five minutes. Serve it right away for the best crunch.

Ingredients

• 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 2 scallions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice cucumbers and scallions thin.
2. In a bowl, stir sugar, rice vinegar, and salt until the sugar dissolves.
3. Toss in cucumbers and scallions.
4. Let it sit for 5 minutes before eating.

Want more ideas? Here’s a 5-Minute Cucumber Salad recipe.

3) Cucumber Salad with fresh dill and onions

This salad is classic and quick. You’ll need crunchy cucumbers, thin onions, and plenty of fresh dill.

The vinegar dressing brings a bright, tangy bite. It’s a favorite for picnics or last-minute sides.

It keeps well in the fridge for a day or two, so don’t worry about leftovers. English cucumbers work great if you want fewer seeds.

Ingredients

• 2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• ½ cup water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Stir vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a bowl until dissolved.
2. Add cucumbers, onions, and dill. Mix everything together.
3. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
4. Give it a quick stir before serving.

Here’s an Easy Cucumber Salad Recipe with Dill if you want to dive deeper.

4) Cucumber and Yogurt Salad

This salad is all about cool, creamy refreshment. You’ll mix cucumbers with yogurt, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon.

Salt helps the cucumbers stay crisp. Garlic adds a little bite, and lemon juice brightens it up.

Try tossing in some mint—fresh or dried—for a nice twist. Serve chilled for max coolness.

Ingredients:

• 2 large cucumbers, peeled and diced
• 2 cups plain yogurt
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon dried or fresh mint (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Salt the cucumbers and let them sit 10 minutes.
2. Drain any water off.
3. Mix cucumbers with yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and salt.
4. Add mint if you’re feeling fancy.
5. Chill for half an hour before serving.

Here’s a Cucumber Yogurt Salad to check out.

5) Cucumber Sushi Rolls

Cucumber sushi rolls are a fun, light twist on sushi. You use thin cucumber strips as the wrap—no rice or seaweed needed.

Fill them with cream cheese, smoked salmon, avocado, or even spicy tuna. They’re perfect as snacks or appetizers.

It’s a simple way to enjoy the cool snap of cucumber with your favorite fillings.

Ingredients

• 2 medium English cucumbers
• ½ cup spreadable cream cheese
• ¼ cup cooked tuna or smoked salmon
• ½ avocado, sliced
• 1 teaspoon sriracha or hot sauce (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice cucumbers lengthwise with a peeler.
2. Spread cream cheese on each strip.
3. Add tuna or salmon on top.
4. Place avocado slices inside.
5. Roll up tightly.
6. Slice into bite-sized pieces.
7. Drizzle with sriracha if you want a kick.

You can find more cucumber sushi roll ideas here.

6) Cucumber Kimchi

Cucumber kimchi puts a fresh spin on the classic. It’s crunchy, spicy, and you don’t need to wait days for it to ferment.

The recipe uses cucumbers, Korean chili flakes, garlic, and a bit of sugar. It’s a bold but balanced side or snack.

Salt the cucumbers first to pull out water. Then toss them with the spicy mix, and let it sit for a couple hours to soak up all those flavors.

Ingredients

• 3 cucumbers
• 2.5 teaspoons Korean red chili flakes
• 3 teaspoons vinegar
• 2.5 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut cucumbers into bite-sized pieces.
2. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 30 minutes.
3. Rinse and drain well.
4. Mix chili flakes, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and garlic.
5. Toss cucumbers in the spicy mix.
6. Let it rest for 2 hours at room temperature.

Check out more cucumber kimchi ideas at mykoreankitchen.com.

7) Simple 4-Ingredient Cucumber Salad

This one’s as easy as it gets—just four ingredients. It’s tangy, crunchy, and goes with almost anything.

You can throw it together in minutes. The light vinegar dressing keeps it bright and not too heavy.

Chill it for 15 or 20 minutes so everything melds together. Cold is definitely best here.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cucumbers (English or seedless)
• 1 small red onion
• 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Cooking Instructions:

1. Slice cucumbers and onion thin.
2. Toss with salt and vinegar.
3. Let it chill for 15–20 minutes.
4. Serve cold.

Here’s a detailed version if you want to see more.

8) Marinated Cucumbers with onions and vinaigrette

Marinated cucumbers and onions in vinaigrette make a ridiculously simple side. The cucumbers stay crisp, and the onions bring a little sweetness.

Slice cucumbers thin and cut onions into rings. Mix them with a vinaigrette of vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Let the salad sit for at least an hour so the flavors really soak in. The longer it sits, the more flavor the cucumbers grab.

You’ll want to serve this one chilled—perfect for summer or a barbecue.

Ingredients

• 3 medium cucumbers, peeled and sliced
• 1 medium onion, sliced into rings
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and slice cucumbers into rounds.
2. Slice onion into thin rings.
3. Whisk vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Toss cucumbers and onions together in a large bowl.
5. Pour vinaigrette over and mix gently.
6. Cover and chill for at least an hour before serving.

9) Creamy Cucumber Salad with mayonnaise and vinegar

You can whip up a creamy cucumber salad with just a handful of ingredients. Mayonnaise and vinegar bring a mellow tang and richness.

Thinly sliced cucumbers and onions add a good crunch. I like to toss in a pinch of sugar—it balances out the vinegar’s bite.

If you’re into herbs, fresh dill or a sprinkle of black pepper makes it pop. The whole thing comes together fast and honestly, it pairs well with almost any meal.

Letting it chill in the fridge for a while? That makes it even better. It’s the kind of salad that hits the spot on warm days or whenever you’re craving something cool but still a little rich.

Ingredients

• 4 cups thinly sliced cucumbers
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced sweet onions
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar together in a bowl until smooth.
2. Add the cucumbers, onions, and dill if you’re using it.
3. Toss everything gently so the cucumbers get coated.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

This salad keeps nicely in the fridge for a couple of days.

For more details on creamy cucumber salads, check out Dad’s Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe.

10) Spicy Thai Cucumber Salad

If you’re after bold flavor and crunch, this spicy Thai cucumber salad is a winner. Thin cucumber slices soak up a punchy dressing made with rice vinegar, sugar, and fiery Thai chili peppers.

Shallots bring a mellow onion note, and fresh herbs brighten things up. Toss in some peanuts for extra crunch if you’re feeling it.

It’s great as a side for grilled meats, or honestly, just as a snack when you want something light and zippy.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup chopped shallots
• 1-2 Thai chili peppers, chopped
• Optional: chopped peanuts and fresh herbs

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel the cucumbers. Slice them thinly.

2. Grab a bowl and mix rice vinegar, sugar, water, salt, and chopped chili peppers. Stir until the sugar disappears.

3. Toss in the cucumbers and shallots. Give everything a good mix.

4. Pop the bowl in the fridge and chill for at least 30 minutes.

5. If you feel like it, sprinkle on some peanuts and herbs before serving.

This bright, spicy salad really wakes up any meal—worth a try if you ask me.

Link to a detailed recipe: Spicy Thai Cucumber Salad Recipe – Food.com