Close
The bright and refreshing taste of cucumber pairs well with a variety of flavors, including pineapple, lemon, tomato and chili oil. These cucumber side dishes cater to all tastes. Moreover, these simple sides require three steps or less, making them easy to prepare. Recipes like our Quick Cucumber Kimchi and Cucumber & Avocado Salad are excellent additions to any dinner table.These side dishes and a fresh bakery baguette are perfect for a light meal during hot and humid weather. However, if you want a complete meal with added protein to energize you, cucumber pairs exceptionally well with chicken, steak, grilled tofu and seafood such as tuna, salmon, crab, shrimp and oysters.
The bright and refreshing taste of cucumber pairs well with a variety of flavors, including pineapple, lemon, tomato and chili oil. These cucumber side dishes cater to all tastes. Moreover, these simple sides require three steps or less, making them easy to prepare. Recipes like our Quick Cucumber Kimchi and Cucumber & Avocado Salad are excellent additions to any dinner table.
These side dishes and a fresh bakery baguette are perfect for a light meal during hot and humid weather. However, if you want a complete meal with added protein to energize you, cucumber pairs exceptionally well with chicken, steak, grilled tofu and seafood such as tuna, salmon, crab, shrimp and oysters.
01of 21Pineapple & Cucumber SaladView RecipeEnjoy this sweet, refreshing salad alongside grilled meat or fish to cut through the richness and refresh the palate. If you like a little heat, adding jalapeño will give you the kick you crave. While packs of prechopped pineapple are convenient, they’re almost always more expensive. When pineapple is in season, it’s best to buy fresh and chop it yourself. Look for a pineapple with a golden-yellow exterior, which is a good indicator of ripeness.
01of 21
Pineapple & Cucumber Salad
View Recipe
Enjoy this sweet, refreshing salad alongside grilled meat or fish to cut through the richness and refresh the palate. If you like a little heat, adding jalapeño will give you the kick you crave. While packs of prechopped pineapple are convenient, they’re almost always more expensive. When pineapple is in season, it’s best to buy fresh and chop it yourself. Look for a pineapple with a golden-yellow exterior, which is a good indicator of ripeness.
02of 21
Use-a-Spoon Chopped Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumber, Red Onion & Kalamata Olives
Kelsey Hansen
03of 21Quick Cucumber KimchiView RecipeThis cucumber kimchi recipe gets its flavor from garlic, fish sauce and a hint of Korean chile powder. Make this side dish ahead of time to let the flavors absorb into the cucumbers.
03of 21
Quick Cucumber Kimchi
This cucumber kimchi recipe gets its flavor from garlic, fish sauce and a hint of Korean chile powder. Make this side dish ahead of time to let the flavors absorb into the cucumbers.
04of 21Cucumber & Avocado SaladView RecipeThis healthy cucumber-avocado salad takes just 5 minutes to prep. Lime juice and fresh herbs boost the bright flavors in this crunchy and creamy salad that’s a perfect side dish for grilled chicken, fish or steak. This recipe calls for an English cucumber, which doesn’t have to be peeled, but regular cucumbers work well too—just peel them before slicing.
04of 21
Cucumber & Avocado Salad
This healthy cucumber-avocado salad takes just 5 minutes to prep. Lime juice and fresh herbs boost the bright flavors in this crunchy and creamy salad that’s a perfect side dish for grilled chicken, fish or steak. This recipe calls for an English cucumber, which doesn’t have to be peeled, but regular cucumbers work well too—just peel them before slicing.
05of 21Cucumber SalsaView RecipeThis fresh, tangy cucumber salsa is perfect for grilled fish or on its own as a simple side salad. Well balanced and easy to make, the flavor mellows and the cucumber softens as this sits, so it can easily be made a day or two ahead of time—or enjoy it right away, fresh and crisp.
05of 21
Cucumber Salsa
This fresh, tangy cucumber salsa is perfect for grilled fish or on its own as a simple side salad. Well balanced and easy to make, the flavor mellows and the cucumber softens as this sits, so it can easily be made a day or two ahead of time—or enjoy it right away, fresh and crisp.
06of 21Marinated Cucumber & Tomato SaladView RecipeAndrea MathisThis marinated salad is such a healthy way to enjoy those fresh summer veggies and can be easily customized. Try adding in some fresh herbs or feta cheese for a little added flavor. You can also swap in seasoned pepper, which is amped up with additional seasonings, in place of the plain ground pepper for an additional flavor boost.
06of 21
Marinated Cucumber & Tomato Salad
Andrea Mathis
This marinated salad is such a healthy way to enjoy those fresh summer veggies and can be easily customized. Try adding in some fresh herbs or feta cheese for a little added flavor. You can also swap in seasoned pepper, which is amped up with additional seasonings, in place of the plain ground pepper for an additional flavor boost.
07of 21Cucumber-Ribbons Caesar SaladView RecipeJacob FoxThese pretty cucumber ribbons are dressed in an easy Caesar salad dressing. Grape tomatoes add color and a hit of sweetness. Serve this refreshing salad alongside grilled chicken or steak.
07of 21
Cucumber-Ribbons Caesar Salad
Jacob Fox
These pretty cucumber ribbons are dressed in an easy Caesar salad dressing. Grape tomatoes add color and a hit of sweetness. Serve this refreshing salad alongside grilled chicken or steak.
08of 21Vegan Cold Cucumber SoupView RecipeJennifer CauseySilken tofu thickens this cold cucumber soup while letting the flavor of fresh cucumber shine. The herbs and olive oil add an extra layer of flavor to this refreshing soup which will continue to thicken as it chills. But perhaps the best thing about the soup is that it comes together in 10 minutes in your blender!
08of 21
Vegan Cold Cucumber Soup
Jennifer Causey
Silken tofu thickens this cold cucumber soup while letting the flavor of fresh cucumber shine. The herbs and olive oil add an extra layer of flavor to this refreshing soup which will continue to thicken as it chills. But perhaps the best thing about the soup is that it comes together in 10 minutes in your blender!
09of 21Cucumber, Tomato & Feta Salad with Balsamic DressingView RecipeAndrea Mathis, M.A., R.D.N., L.D.This Greek-inspired tomato salad is packed with fresh veggies and flavor-boosting ingredients, like balsamic vinegar, Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese. This delicious salad takes just 15 minutes to make and while you could eat it right away, it tastes even better the longer it sits, so plan to leave at least an hour of marinating time before serving.
09of 21
Cucumber, Tomato & Feta Salad with Balsamic Dressing
Andrea Mathis, M.A., R.D.N., L.D.
This Greek-inspired tomato salad is packed with fresh veggies and flavor-boosting ingredients, like balsamic vinegar, Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese. This delicious salad takes just 15 minutes to make and while you could eat it right away, it tastes even better the longer it sits, so plan to leave at least an hour of marinating time before serving.
10of 21Smashed Cucumber SaladView RecipeRyan LiebeThe smashed parts of these cucumbers absorb the dressing really well, yielding a particularly flavorful salad. Look for ume plum vinegar, made with the brine of pickled plums, with other Japanese condiments at most large supermarkets. Sprinkle it over sautéed greens, steamed rice and more.
10of 21
Smashed Cucumber Salad
Ryan Liebe
The smashed parts of these cucumbers absorb the dressing really well, yielding a particularly flavorful salad. Look for ume plum vinegar, made with the brine of pickled plums, with other Japanese condiments at most large supermarkets. Sprinkle it over sautéed greens, steamed rice and more.
11of 21Garden Fresh QuinoaView RecipeQuinoa is a whole grain and contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. With its high fiber and antioxidant content it’s easy to see why everyone is talking about quinoa these days! Try it with garden vegetables in this delicious, quick-and-easy dish.
11of 21
Garden Fresh Quinoa
Quinoa is a whole grain and contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. With its high fiber and antioxidant content it’s easy to see why everyone is talking about quinoa these days! Try it with garden vegetables in this delicious, quick-and-easy dish.
12of 21Creamy Cucumber SaladView RecipeThis creamy cucumber salad is an easy side dish for any summer BBQ. Bright dill and white-wine vinegar add fresh tartness to cucumbers and red onions. Enjoy this salad the day you prepare it so the ingredients don’t turn watery.
12of 21
Creamy Cucumber Salad
This creamy cucumber salad is an easy side dish for any summer BBQ. Bright dill and white-wine vinegar add fresh tartness to cucumbers and red onions. Enjoy this salad the day you prepare it so the ingredients don’t turn watery.
13of 21Creamy Cucumber SoupView RecipeThere’s no reason to only eat cucumbers raw—they are wonderful sautéed then pureed with avocado for a silky cucumber soup that’s good warm or cold.
13of 21
Creamy Cucumber Soup
There’s no reason to only eat cucumbers raw—they are wonderful sautéed then pureed with avocado for a silky cucumber soup that’s good warm or cold.
14of 21Salad-e Khiar-o Anar (Cucumber & Pomegranate Salad)View RecipeA platter of herbs, scallions and feta is typically served alongside Persian meals in lieu of a Western-style green salad. They are meant to be folded into flatbread as an accompaniment to a meal (or sometimes as the meal itself). This salad is a riff on that, with pomegranate seeds and cucumbers mixed in.Read more about this recipe.
14of 21
Salad-e Khiar-o Anar (Cucumber & Pomegranate Salad)
A platter of herbs, scallions and feta is typically served alongside Persian meals in lieu of a Western-style green salad. They are meant to be folded into flatbread as an accompaniment to a meal (or sometimes as the meal itself). This salad is a riff on that, with pomegranate seeds and cucumbers mixed in.Read more about this recipe.
15of 21Cucumber Salad (Tzatziki)View RecipeThis garlicky cucumber-yogurt salad is delicious served with grilled lamb or as a dip for toasted pita chips.
15of 21
Cucumber Salad (Tzatziki)
This garlicky cucumber-yogurt salad is delicious served with grilled lamb or as a dip for toasted pita chips.
16of 21Creamy Tomato, Cucumber & Feta Pasta SaladView RecipeJen CauseyEnjoy this veggie-packed pasta salad at your next picnic or backyard get-together. Cucumbers and fennel provide crunch to contrast the creamy feta and Kalamata olives. A tangy herb-buttermilk dressing completes the dish.
16of 21
Creamy Tomato, Cucumber & Feta Pasta Salad
Jen Causey
Enjoy this veggie-packed pasta salad at your next picnic or backyard get-together. Cucumbers and fennel provide crunch to contrast the creamy feta and Kalamata olives. A tangy herb-buttermilk dressing completes the dish.
17of 21
Spiralized Cucumber Salad with Feta & Olives
18of 21Spicy Cucumber Salad with Chili OilView RecipePhotography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Emily Nabors HallThe cucumbers retain their crunch in this spicy cucumber salad with chili oil. Here we use chili crisp, an oil-based condiment with crispy bits of chili; it adds crunch, heat and flavor to the cooling cucumbers. Smashing the cucumbers helps them absorb the complex flavors of the dressing.
18of 21
Spicy Cucumber Salad with Chili Oil
Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Emily Nabors Hall
The cucumbers retain their crunch in this spicy cucumber salad with chili oil. Here we use chili crisp, an oil-based condiment with crispy bits of chili; it adds crunch, heat and flavor to the cooling cucumbers. Smashing the cucumbers helps them absorb the complex flavors of the dressing.
19of 21Creamy Cucumber Dill SoupView RecipeA combination of avocado and yogurt gives juicy cucumber just the right amount of creaminess in this rich cold cucumber soup.
19of 21
Creamy Cucumber Dill Soup
A combination of avocado and yogurt gives juicy cucumber just the right amount of creaminess in this rich cold cucumber soup.
20of 21Tofu Cucumber Salad with Spicy Peanut DressingView RecipeMaking tofu tastier can be as simple as tossing it in a knockout sauce like this Sichuan-inspired peanut dressing. To make this cucumber salad recipe a meal, add rice noodles and double the dressing. Serve with an extra drizzle of sesame oil and sliced scallions.
20of 21
Tofu Cucumber Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing
Making tofu tastier can be as simple as tossing it in a knockout sauce like this Sichuan-inspired peanut dressing. To make this cucumber salad recipe a meal, add rice noodles and double the dressing. Serve with an extra drizzle of sesame oil and sliced scallions.
21of 21Cucumber Pasta SaladView RecipeThis light and tangy cucumber pasta salad is fresh and bright. The orecchiette pasta holds the dressing for flavor in every bite, but you can use another small pasta shape if you like. This easy salad is perfect for a warm day or to serve as a lunch dish for company! For a fruitier flavor, try apple-cider vinegar in place of white distilled vinegar.
21of 21
Cucumber Pasta Salad
This light and tangy cucumber pasta salad is fresh and bright. The orecchiette pasta holds the dressing for flavor in every bite, but you can use another small pasta shape if you like. This easy salad is perfect for a warm day or to serve as a lunch dish for company! For a fruitier flavor, try apple-cider vinegar in place of white distilled vinegar.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
