Whether you’re looking for crunchy cucumber salads, tangy pickles, or a cooling cucumber soup, these refreshing cucumber recipes celebrate one of my favorite summer vegetables!
The path of my grandmother Stay cool as a cucumber
Growing up, my dad was in charge of all the “extra stuff” that went into the meal, and that almost always included cucumber salad in one form or another. He liked to make a chopped salad with cucumber, tomato, parsley and a little lime juice. As soon as the vegetables released their juice into the bowl, he collected the remaining liquid, which he called “whiskey salad.” Then he would drink a juicy shot of spicy vegetable ‘whiskey’ with globs of extra virgin olive oil skimming the surface. I inherited an equal love for whiskey salad and cucumber salad, and now no warm weather dinner is complete without them!
Cucumbers are a year-round staple for me, but they shine in the summer. People all over the Mediterranean rely on cooling cucumbers to beat the heat, because the Mediterranean sun is no joke in the summer months!
Because they are filled with water, they rival even watermelon as a particularly thirst-quenching ingredient. They are cool, crunchy and versatile. Even better? In season, they’re inexpensive and easy to find, and they’re a great way to add a hydrating element to almost any meal, including breakfast.
We have so many delicious recipes where cucumbers are an essential ingredient (hello choriatics!), but in these recipes they are the star. Sliced, diced, chopped, pickled or blended, these refreshing cucumber recipes will keep you cool and hydrated all summer long!
Crispy cucumber salads
Mediterranean cucumber and tomato salad
This is my Baba’s “Whiskey Salad” salad and where I grew up in Egypt it’s called simply salad. I grew up eating it with almost every meal and it’s just as easy and filling as it is to make. Cucumbers, ripe tomatoes and red onions are combined with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. Use it as a topping for quinoa bowls or as a cooler for grilled chicken kofta.
Creamy cucumber salad
My most popular cucumber salad recipe! This creamy salad combines sliced cucumbers with a spicy garlic Greek yogurt dressing. A few key tips will ensure your cucumbers stay perfectly crisp and not soggy! It’s especially great with something with a little heat, like grilled harissa chicken.
Mediterranean cucumber salad
I make this four-ingredient salad all summer long. A combination of cucumbers, shallots, radishes and fresh dill in a light citrus dressing made with good extra virgin Greek olive oil, it tastes a bit like a fresh pickle, so it’s infinitely versatile. Tuck it into pita bread topped with chicken shawarma or layer it alongside grilled seafood.
Salad of crushed cucumbers with lemon and feta
A couple of summers ago, I went crazy over smashed cucumber salads. The rough edges make the cucumber even more crunchy and refreshing. In addition, they last at the gas station. With olive oil-roasted lemon wedges, creamy feta and fresh parsley, this version makes an elegant and unexpected salad.
Cucumber and radish salad
A cooling cucumber is the perfect partner for equally crunchy radishes and celery. A generous handful of herbs—fresh mint, chives, and dill—adds layers of bright flavor, while a touch of creamy goat cheese gives it just the right richness. Pack it with a picnic pot or serve it alongside tender salmon sandwiches or juicy shrimp kebabs.
Cooling sauces and cucumber sauces
Tsatsiki
I probably make this cucumber recipe more often than any other! My recipe for this Creamy Cucumber Yogurt Greek Dip includes yiayia-approved tips that tackle everything to achieve the right texture and flavor. Use it as a dip for chicken gyros, Greek fries, and just about anything else you can think of! Avoiding dairy products? Try this vegan version!
Cucumber salsa
Cool, fresh cucumber is the star of this easy salsa, one of my favorite side dishes for easy grilled fish. The pistachios add a welcome crunch and Mediterranean vibe, while the Aleppo pepper adds depth with its sunny warmth. The result is a herbaceous and refreshing filling that is ready to eat.
Persian Yogurt Cucumber Dip (Mast O’Khiar)
Although it shares a similar spirit with tzatziki, this Persian yogurt sauce gets its special character from lime and dried mint. It is a staple of Persian family gatherings, the perfect condiment for Joojeh Kabob (Persian Saffron Chicken Kebabs); or with Persian rice dishes such as Adas Polo or Baghali Polo (rice with dill and beans). It’s also a delicious dip for potato chips or pita chips as a healthier option!
More cucumber goodness
Cold cucumber soup
On the hottest days of summer, sometimes a cold bowl of soup is all you need—and this Persian cold cucumber soup known as Ab Doogh Khiar is the most refreshing dip I know. Think of it as cucumber gazpacho. One sip and the heat of the day just melts away. For dessert, choose something equally refreshing, such as strawberry pudding.
Sandwiches with cucumbers
Forget soggy tea sandwiches, these cucumber sandwiches are in a whole other league. The secret is labneh, a creamy, very thick yogurt. Tossed with fresh herbs—parsley, dill, and basil—and spread generously on soft white bread, they make a wonderful Mother’s Day dinner, graduation, tea party, bridal shower, or baby shower.
Quick pickled cucumbers
Pickles are having a moment! This no-cook style of pickle retains all that mouth-watering crunch and tangy flavor. Once you try them, you won’t be able to go back to store bought! Keep a jar in the fridge to add to turkey or lamb burgers with mint feta all summer long.
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The post 11 Cucumber Recipes Guaranteed to Cool You This Summer appeared first on The Mediterranean Dish.
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