10 Crisp and Refreshing Recipes Featuring Cucumbers

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This collection of refreshing cucumber recipes goes above and beyond your salad bowl, showcasing the cucumber’s versatility and featuring it’s fresh crisp texture. From a light cucumber Collins cocktail and flavorful dips like tzatziki, and even a classic cucumber sandwich with a modern twist, you’ll find creative recipes you’ll be excited to try. Get ready to discover new ways to enjoy this summertime staple and experience the delightful crunch and coolness cucumbers bring to every dish!

Pumpernickel Sandwich

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A halved stacked sandwich on dark brown pumpernickel bread filled with a white sauce and cucumber slices.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya

Take a bit of this hearty pumpernickel sandwich, spread with a creamy, herb-infused spread and topped with cool, crisp slices of freshness. This simple yet flavorful creation is sure to elevate your quick lunch game.

Get the recipe: Pumpernickel Sandwich

Greek Cucumber Salad

Sliced cucumber and onions coated in Tzatziki sauce on a plate.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for My Plant Based Bowl

Enjoy the light and refreshing taste of this Greek-inspired cucumber salad, featuring a tangy Tzatziki dressing. It’s the ideal summer side dish, perfect alongside pasta, sandwiches, grain bowls, or grilled main courses.

Get the recipe: Greek Cucumber Salad

Tomato Chickpea Cucumber Salad

A bowl of chickpeas and chopped tomatoes and cucumbers.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

This vibrant tomato chickpea cucumber salad brings together the hearty texture of chickpeas, the juicy sweetness of ripe Roma tomatoes, and the refreshing crunch of cucumbers. With a zesty splash of lemon juice and a sprinkle of Za’atar seasoning, it’s an effortless dish that’s perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a light lunch, a side dish, or a backyard cookout.

Get the recipe: Tomato Chickpea Cucumber Salad

Charleston Flash Pickles

Top down look into a jar of cucumber slices in liquid.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average.

These Charleston flash pickles are made with just 3 ingredients. These quick pickles perfectly complement sweet barbecue and grilled dishes with their mildly sweet and slightly sour taste.

Get the recipe: Charleston Flash Pickles

Vegan Cucumber Sandwich

Hands holding a halved sandwich filled with cucumber and greens.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya

This simple yet delightful vegan cucumber sandwich has everything you crave: freshness, crunch, and ease. Enjoy crisp cucumber slices seasoned to perfection, layered on soft, buttered bread, and topped with a hint of peppery arugula. It’s a refreshing and satisfying choice for a quick meal.

Get the recipe: Vegan Cucumber Sandwich

Korean Cucumber Salad

Cucumber salad in a bowl, topped with green onion and sesame seeds.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Indulge in a delightful blend of textures and flavors with this easy side salad. Crisp, smashed cucumbers mingle with a tantalizingly sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce, crowned with the freshness of sliced green onions and the nuttiness of toasted sesame seeds. It’s a refreshing side to any meal.

Get the recipe: Korean Cucumber Salad

Greek Tzatziki Without Dill

A bowl of white dip beside french fries covered in cucumber, tomato, and feta cheese.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Versatile and delicious, Greek tzatziki without dill complements a variety of dishes, whether it’s nestled in a gyro, spooned over a Greek burger, or served alongside loaded Greek fries. You’ll just need a handful of ingredients along with shredded cucumbers and minimal time to whip up this creamy dip!

Get the recipe: Greek Tzatziki Without Dill

Peanut Butter Cucumber Sandwich

A stacked halved sandwich filled with peanut butter and cucumber slices.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya

This refreshing peanut butter cucumber sandwich combines the creamy nutty spread with crisp cucumber slices, all nestled between two pieces of soft, fluffy bread. It’s incredibly easy to prepare and makes the perfect quick snack or lunch, with the cool crunch of cucumbers taking center stage.

Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Cucumber Sandwich

Cucumber Collins

Top down look at a cocktail with a cucumber swirled around a cocktail pick topped with fresh mint leaves.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Quench your thirst with a refreshing drink that’s perfect for those hot summer afternoons. This inventive spin on the classic Collins combines the cool essence of cucumber with the smooth kick of vodka, resulting in a light cocktail perfect for a leisurely afternoon on the patio or a lively barbecue in the backyard.

Get the recipe: Cucumber Collins

Cottage Cheese Toast

A slice of toast covered with cottage cheese, cucumber slices, lemon zest, and fresh dill.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Cottage cheese makes for a high-protein blank canvas for creative toast toppings. Try cucumber cottage cheese toast, with toasty bread, crisp and refreshing cucumber slices, creamy cottage cheese, and fresh dill. The perfect summer breakfast, snack, or appetizer.

Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Toast

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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