Cucumber Recipes: 40 Ways To Cool Down With Cukes (PHOTOS)

If you think a cucumber is just a cucumber, think again. Browse the markets this summer and you'll find a variety of cukes to choose from -- short, plump pickling types to long, slicing and salad varieties. Most of us eat our cucumbers cool and raw, but they can also be cooked -- just see the slideshow below for all our recipe ideas. But before you get cooking, we've got a cucumber tips to help you enjoy the best:

• When you're shopping for cucumbers, look for ones that are firm and free of blemishes or soft spots.
• Store cucumbers for no more than one week in a plastic bag in your refrigerator's crisper drawer.
• The seedless kinds are great eaten skin and all, but with some other varieties, you may want to peel them first (especially ones with thick skins).
• If you're making a salad with seeded cucumbers, cut the vegetable lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.

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• Quick Cucumber And Shiso Pickles

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/4891-quick-cucumber-and-shiso-pickles" target="_blank">Quick Cucumber and Shiso Pickles recipe</a> by Teri via Food52</strong>

• Cucumber Bites With Garlic Herb Filling

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.annies-eats.com/2012/02/22/cucumber-bites-with-garlic-herb-filling/" target="_blank">Cucumber Bites with Garlic Herb Filling recipe</a> by Annie's Eats</strong>

• Cucumber Margarita

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/03/cucumber-margarita.html" target="_blank">Cucumber Margarita recipe</a> by A Beautiful Mess</strong>

• Apple-Cucumber Salsa

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/apple-cucumber-salsa_n_1058198.html" target="_blank">Apple-Cucumber Salsa recipe </a></strong>

• Cucumber-Yogurt Soup With Pepperoncini

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/cucumber-yogurt-soup-with_n_1058367.html" target="_blank">Cucumber-Yogurt Soup with Pepperoncini recipe</a></strong>

• Cucumber Lime Mint Agua Fresca

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/cucumber_lime_mint_agua_fresca/" target="_blank">Cucumber Lime Mint Agua Fresca recipe</a> by Simply Recipes</strong>

• Tomato, Cucumber And Sweet Onion Salad With Cumin Salt

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/tomato-cucumber-and-swee_n_1058754.html" target="_blank">Tomato, Cucumber And Sweet Onion Salad With Cumin Salt recipe</a></strong>

• Cucumber-Lime Pops With Gin

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/cucumber-lime-pops-with-g_n_1058366.html" target="_blank">Cucumber-Lime Pops with Gin recipe</a></strong>

• Cucumber Limeade

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/cucumber-limeade_n_1056881.html" target="_blank">Cucumber Limeade recipe</a></strong>

• Asian Cucumber Salad

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/asian-cucumber-salad_n_1061030.html" target="_blank">Asian Cucumber Salad recipe</a></strong>

• Taiwanese Sesame Cucumbers

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/taiwanese-sesame-cucumber_n_1059600.html" target="_blank">Taiwanese Sesame Cucumbers recipe</a></strong>

• Cucumber Salad

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/cucumber_salad/" target="_blank">Cucumber Salad recipe</a> by Simply Recipes</strong>

• Matsuhisa Martini Recipe

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.foodiecrush.com/2012/09/matsuhisa-martini-recipe/" target="_blank">Matsuhisa Martini Recipe recipe</a> by Foodiecrush</strong>

• Cucumber Mint Gazpacho

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/18115-cucumber-mint-gazpacho" target="_blank">Cucumber Mint Gazpacho recipe</a> by zahavah via Food52</strong>

• Sesame Peanut Cucumber Salad

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/18868-sesame-peanut-cucumber-salad" target="_blank">Sesame Peanut Cucumber Salad recipe</a> by Bob Vivant via Food52</strong>

• Cucumber And Apple Raita

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/4977-cucumber-and-apple-raita" target="_blank">Cucumber and Apple Raita recipe </a>by Thirschfeld via Fodo52</strong>

• Cucumber, Mint, And Basil Soda

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/12896-cucumber-mint-and-basil-soda" target="_blank">Cucumber, Mint, and Basil Soda recipe</a> by goodspoon via Food52</strong>

• Avocado & Cucumber Sandwiches

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/17847-avocado-cucumber-sandwiches" target="_blank">Avocado & Cucumber Sandwiches recipe</a> by Panfusine via Food52</strong>

• Spring Rolls

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.macheesmo.com/2012/08/tempeh-spring-rolls/" target="_blank">Spring Rolls recipe</a> by Macheesmo</strong>

• Cucumber Avocado Salad

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/17901-cucumber-avocado-salad" target="_blank">Cucumber Avocado Salad recipe</a> by thecornerktichen via Food52</strong>

• Fish Teriyaki With Sweet-And-Sour Cucumbers

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/fish-teriyaki-with-sweet-_n_1058390.html" target="_hplink">Fish Teriyaki With Sweet-and-Sour Cucumbers recipe</a></strong>

• Dill Pickles

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/dill-pickles_n_1062218.html" target="_hplink">Dill Pickles recipe</a></strong>

• Tropical Cucumber Salad

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/tropical-cucumber-salad_n_1056356.html" target="_hplink">Tropical Cucumber Salad recipe</a></strong>

• Salmon And Cucumber Mini Smørrebrød

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/salmon--cucumber-mini-sm_n_1061740.html" target="_hplink">Salmon and Cucumber Mini Smørrebrød recipe</a></strong>

• Grouper With Cucumber Salad And Soy-Mustard Dressing

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/grouper-with-cucumber-sal_n_1058478.html" target="_hplink">Grouper with Cucumber Salad and Soy-Mustard Dressing recipe</a></strong>

• Tangy Green Zebra Gazpacho

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/tangy-green-zebra-gazpach_n_1058739.html" target="_hplink">Tangy Green Zebra Gazpacho recipe</a></strong>

• Cucumber-Cherry Salad

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/cucumber-cherry-salad_n_1058365.html" target="_hplink">Cucumber-Cherry Salad recipe</a></strong>

• Cucumber Lemonade Chiller

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/cucumber-lemonade-chiller_n_1056186.html" target="_hplink">Cucumber Lemonade Chiller recipe</a></strong>

• Bread And Butter Pickles

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/bread--butter-pickles_n_1062219.html" target="_hplink">Bread and Butter Pickles recipe</a></strong>

• Cucumber And Dill Salad

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/cucumber-and-dill-salad_n_1055739.html" target="_hplink">Cucumber and Dill Salad recipe</a></strong>

• Cucumber Raita

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/cucumber-raita_n_1048951.html" target="_hplink">Cucumber Raita recipe</a></strong>

• Cucumber Herb Vinaigrette

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/cucumber-herb-vinaigrette_n_1061903.html" target="_hplink">Cucumber Herb Vinaigrette recipe</a></strong>

• Sour Cream Cucumber Salad

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/sour-cream-cucumber-salad_n_1059529.html" target="_hplink">Sour Cream Cucumber Salad recipe</a></strong>

• Creamy Cucumber Soup

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/creamy-cucumber-soup_n_1061540.html" target="_hplink">Creamy Cucumber Soup recipe</a></strong>

• Greek Salad

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/greek-salad_n_1055735.html" target="_hplink">Greek Salad recipe</a></strong>

• Quick Cucumber Kimchi

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/quick-cucumber-kimchi_n_1062211.html" target="_hplink">Quick Cucumber Kimchi recipe</a></strong>

• Japanese Cucumber Salad

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/japanese-cucumber-salad_n_1049240.html" target="_hplink">Japanese Cucumber Salad recipe</a></strong>

• Quinoa Salad With Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Bell Peppers, And Arugula

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/quinoa-salad-with-tomatoe_n_1057734.html" target="_hplink">Quinoa Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Bell Peppers, and Arugula recipe</a></strong>

• Tomato Salsa With Cucumber Chips

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/tomato-salsa-with-cucumbe_n_1058756.html" target="_hplink">Tomato Salsa with Cucumber "Chips" recipe</a></strong>

• Quick Pickles

  <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/quick-pickles_n_1061541.html" target="_hplink">Quick Pickles recipe</a></strong>

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Comments

[Crisdean Wulver]

01:58 PM on 07/15/2012

I always wanted to try an English cucumber sandwich. They're popular to serve with tea. That always sounded so good to me.

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Here's the easy way to make quick pickles:

1. Mix one part vinegar to eight parts water in a large pan.
2. Add some pickling spice, garlic, onions, salt, etc. to flavor the water. Cook it for a long time, and then strain it.
3. Have your chopped vegetables ready. Heat the water to boiling again.
4. Add onions (cut in big pieces) first, because they cook fast. Taste one every now and then. As soon as they lose that "make you cry" aromatic flavor, take them out and let them cool.
5. Then cook each vegetable individually, because each cooks at a different speed.
6. Test them to see when they have the right crisp/tender ratio, and take them out when they do. Let them cool. Remember that they will continue cooking a little after you take them out.

After you're through, let them all cool and let the water cool too. Then you can add the vegetables back to the water to put it all in your refrigerator. At this point you can add vegetables that are too delicate to cook, like slices of cucumber, or that taste best raw, like radishes.

Let them get cold, and they're really good! They only get better the longer they stay in the refrigerator. There's a limit, of course, because these are fresh pickles, not canned pickles.

[kaspian808]

04:00 AM on 07/11/2012

Combine chopped cucumber, yogurt, dry mint, pepper and salt. Mix. Otherwise known as "Most-o-Khiar." It's a staple of Persian or Iranian cuisine, a sort of meze or tapas served to accommodate a main dish. Wonderful and quite refreshing.

[geddy lee is a god]

12:11 PM on 07/10/2012

"Most of us eat our cucumbers cool and raw, but they can also be cooked -- just see the slideshow below for all the recipe ideas."

I can't get on board with cooked cucumbers. In salads? Yes. In jars of brine? Yes? Homemade relish? Yes. Any other preparation? No.

But I'm willing to try a couple of the other dishes in the future.