Recipes Ingredients Vegetables Cucumber Recipes 30 Cool Cucumber Recipes You'll Want to Make All Summer Long By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Website An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 30, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Petrina Tinslay Few foods are as refreshing or adaptable as cucumbers. Their subtle flavor and high-water content make them a welcome addition to a range of dishes, from salads and soups to pickles and cocktails. 01 of 31 Petrina Tinslay Cool, crisp, and crunchy, cucumbers are a light and delicious vegetable. And while they're available year-round, they peak during the warmer months, positioning them as ideal ingredients for refreshing cocktails, soups, salads, and even desserts. Ahead, we're showing you how to cool off this summer with some of our favorite cucumber recipes. They're more revitalizing than you'd imagine! First, it's important to distinguish the different types of cucumbers available to you, as certain dishes require a specific variety. The common cucumber, or pole cucumber, is about eight inches long and often comes coated in wax—be sure to peel or scrub them prior to use—while the English variety can be twice that size. English cucumbers are grown in greenhouses, which is why they're also called hothouse cucumbers; they're virtually seedless and are usually sold wrapped in plastic to protect their thin skin. If you're looking to make your own pickles, we recommend Kirby cucumbers, which make snappy pickles but are also great when enjoyed fresh. Choose cucumbers that feel heavy for their size and have dark green skin free of the soft spots that indicate spoilage. Once you buy your cucumbers, you can refrigerate them, loosely wrapped in plastic, for up to five days. Looking for something that will help you cool off after a long day by the pool? Make our Cucumber Cooler, which features fresh mint leaves, lime, club soda, and agave nectar for a sweet and light beverage. Pair the drink with an appetizer that's sure to delight—our Cucumber-Feta Toasts are simply delicious. Toasted bread is adorned with feta and sliced cucumbers for an easy and quick recipe. Another starter that uses the vegetable is Cucumber Buttermilk Soup. It only takes 10 minutes of prep and is chilled to a cool temperature. As for dinner, you can't go wrong with our Scallop, Orange, and Cucumber Kebabs, which serves as a bright, flavorful main. Even better, they only take 20 minutes to make. Juicy oranges and crunchy cucumbers taste wonderful when paired with briny scallops. Ahead, we're sharing more enticing recipes that will help you to cool off during those hot summer days. 02 of 31 Cucumber-Feta Toasts Salty feta and thinly sliced cucumber transform baguette toasts into a light yet satisfying appetizer. View Recipe 03 of 31 Smoked Trout and Cucumber Bryan Gardner You only need three ingredients for this elegant canape: sliced cucumbers, smoked trout, and cracked black pepper. Serve with dry martinis for a surefire crowd-pleaser. View Recipe 04 of 31 Canned Sour Pickles Kirby cucumbers are brined in a vinegar solution and a homemade pickling spice made with black peppercorns, yellow mustard seeds, allspice, and cinnamon. The result is the most delicious sour pickle you've ever tasted. View Recipe 05 of 31 Cucumber Lemonade Linda Pugliese Nothing says summer quite like this fresher-than-fresh, verdant take on lemonade. View Recipe 06 of 31 Chilled Melon, Cucumber, and Mint Soup Smears of Greek yogurt on each serving bowl add extra oomph to this sweet-and-savory no-cook soup. View Recipe 07 of 31 Roasted Cucumbers with Cream and Horseradish Joanna Garcia Cucumbers feel the heat in this out-of-the-ordinary side dish—they're roasted with butter and cream and finished with fresh horseradish, lemon zest, and dill. View Recipe 08 of 31 Cucumber, Celery, and Gin Sorbet Naho Kubota We love the pale-green hue and refreshing flavor of this savory, slightly boozy sorbet. View Recipe 09 of 31 Avocado, Cucumber, and Apple Smoothie Bowl Lennart Weibull Fresh ginger adds just the right amount of heat to this smoothie bowl, which is made with puréed apple, mini cucumbers, fennel, and avocado. Top with more cucumbers and avocado and a handful of pepitas for crunch. View Recipe 10 of 31 Shaved Cucumber Salad Ribbons of cucumbers and thinly sliced celery and onion are tossed with mayonnaise, champagne vinegar, and fresh cilantro in this lively side dish. View Recipe 11 of 31 Yogurt with Cucumber and Mint Martyna Szczesna Grated cucumber and fresh mint add a refreshing note to rich whole-milk yogurt in this raita. Spiced with just a touch of cumin and cayenne, it makes an ideal accompaniment for all kinds of Indian dishes. View Recipe 12 of 31 Pineapple-Cucumber Spritz Christopher Testani Cool cucumber, sweet pineapple, and fresh mint make this sparkling concoction a contender for the most refreshing drink of the summer. Try spiking it with pisco for happy hour. View Recipe 13 of 31 Cucumber-Mint Buttermilk Soup Yuki Sugiura You can make this creamy chilled soup up to a day in advance. Top with cracked black pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh mint leaves just before serving. View Recipe 14 of 31 Fast Homemade Pickles Mustard seed, celery seed, and fresh dill pack a flavorful punch in this versatile brine. Use it not only for cucumbers but also for green beans, pearl onions, fennel, carrots, cauliflower, and more. View Recipe 15 of 31 Cucumber Salad with Herbs, Kumquats, and Sumac Dressing The Ingalls This bright salad is as tasty as it is colorful. Kumquats provide a flavorful juxtaposition to the crispy cucumbers and herbs in this dish. View Recipe 16 of 31 Scallop, Orange, and Cucumber Kebabs Cucumbers and citrus shed their cool demeanor when threaded onto skewers with sliced ginger and scallops for a delectable grilled kebab main. View Recipe 17 of 31 Melon, Mint, and Cucumber Smoothie Con Poulos Green juice has nothing on this refreshing smoothie made with honeydew, English cucumber, fresh mint, lime juice, and honey. Try our antioxidant-packed Cucumber-Blueberry Smoothie next. View Recipe 18 of 31 Rotelle with Onions, Cucumbers, and Herbs Crisp cucumbers and fresh herbs perfectly offset the sweet caramelized Vidalia onions in this summer pasta dish. View Recipe 19 of 31 Cucumber and Jicama Slaw This refreshing Mexican-inspired slaw substitutes crunchy jicama and cucumber for the usual cabbage. Dress with honey, lime juice, and chili powder, then serve alongside fajitas or grilled-shrimp tacos. View Recipe 20 of 31 Cucumber Cups with Vichyssoise Craig Cutler Appetizer-sized cucumber cups are the perfect vehicle for serving vichyssoise, a classic French potato-and-leek soup. View Recipe 21 of 31 Cucumber Cooler Petrina Tinslay Serve this lip-smacking summer libation with another refreshing treat: Cucumber and Radish Crostini. View Recipe 22 of 31 Cucumber and Celery Salad with Tuna Petrina Tinslay This crisp salad gets its summery flavor from a slightly sweet vinaigrette speckled with poppy seeds. It's delicious on its own or stuffed into a pita—and only takes 10 minutes to make. A healthy bonus: Cucumbers and celery add crunch without calories, while tuna contributes protein. View Recipe 23 of 31 Cucumber Cape Codder Johnny Miller Cranberry and cucumber make a surprisingly delicious pairing in this invigorating sweet-tart cocktail. View Recipe 24 of 31 Cucumber and Coconut Salad Chris Court This Indian-inspired salad takes the heat off spicy barbecue dishes and hot afternoons. View Recipe 25 of 31 Asparagus and Cucumber Vinaigrette Crisp-tender steamed asparagus and crunchy cucumber are tossed in a simple red-wine vinaigrette in this versatile summer side dish. View Recipe 26 of 31 Pineapple, Basil, and Cucumber Raymond Hom Flame-kissed pineapple, fresh basil, and cooling cucumber make an extraordinary side dish for any cookout. View Recipe 27 of 31 Cucumber-Lemon Gin Emily Kate Roemer Gin, cucumber, lemon zest, and four days of patience are all you need to make this summery infused booze. Mix it with seltzer or ginger ale or try it in a Cucumber Southside Fizz. View Recipe 28 of 31 Cucumber and Mint Salad with Toasted Pitas A light, lemony vinaigrette dresses this refreshing salad of green beans, cucumber, and mint. Toasted pita brushed with garlic and olive oil replaces the usual croutons for a delicious Middle Eastern twist. View Recipe 29 of 31 Cucumber and Snap Pea Salad with Mint Enjoy the freshness and crunch of this salad with grilled meats or your favorite picnic sandwiches. View Recipe 30 of 31 Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream and Dill Dressing It only takes one ingredient to lighten up this classic side dish: reduced-fat sour cream. Trust us, no one will notice the difference. View Recipe 31 of 31 Grilled Chicken Breast with Cucumber Relish Marcus Nilsson A Thai-inspired cucumber relish sits atop a juicy grilled chicken breast in this recipe. It adds a cooling crunch for a delightful taste. View Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit