Cucumber recipes are the perfect option for a cooling summertime meal or snack, since these veggies come with a soothing flavor profile, a satisfying crunch, and a refreshing amount of water.

Refreshing Cucumber Recipes

Cucumber recipes bring a refreshing touch to any hot day. Whether you’re just adding slices of the veggie to your glass of water, or making them the focus of your meal, they’re always a welcome choice.

If you already grow these veggies in your garden, then you’re in luck, because they tend to grow fast and plentiful throughout the summertime.  The hotter it is, the faster they grow, as though they’re rushing to be there for you in time to cool you down.  The good news is that if you do have a bountiful harvest this year – or a generous neighbor does, or you have been shopping at your farmers market – there are lots of creative cucumber recipes that can help you to devour them all while they’re still at their freshest.

Cucumber Recipes You’ll Love This Year

The following are five great cucumber recipes that provide you with options other than the typical salad topping. In fact, they will help you to give these refreshing veggies a starring role on your plate!

Bean and Cucumber Salad with Cilantro and Lime

• ½ cup cucumber, peeled and diced
• 1/3 cup beans, rinsed
• ¼ cup corn, rinsed
• ½ cup sliced cherry/grape tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup sliced red bell pepper
• Chopped romaine lettuce, desired amount
• Chopped fresh cilantro, desired amount
• 1 lime, sliced
• 100 calories’ worth of Southwest-style vinaigrette

Combine the ingredients and serve.

Sweet Sesame Cucumber Shrimp Salad with Mandarin Oranges

• 4 ounces of shrimp
• ½ cup of peeled, diced cucumber
• 1/3 cup mandarin orange slices
• ½ cup snap or snow peas (any variety with an edible pod)
• ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
• ½ cup carrots, shredded or julienned
• Chopped romaine lettuce, desired amount
• 100 calories’ worth of light sesame vinaigrette

Combine ingredients and serve.

Cucumber Club Sandwich

• 2 slices sourdough bread, toasted
• 1 tbsp light mayonnaise
• 1 ounce turkey deli slices
• 1 ounce ham deli slices
• Desired amount cucumber, sliced
• Desired amount of tomato, sliced
• Desired amount of green leaf lettuce

Top bread with mayonnaise, top with turkey, ham and vegetables. Slice into quarters.

Bright, Refreshing and Satisfying Garden Sandwich

• 2 slices whole grain bread, toasted
• 3 tbsp light hummus
• 1 slice Swiss cheese
• Desired amount of cucumber, sliced
• Desired amount of tomato, sliced
• Desired amount of alfalfa sprouts
• Desired number of mushrooms, sliced
• Desired amount of radish, sliced
• Desired amount of carrot, grated

Spread hummus on bread and top with cheese. Neatly arrange the vegetables on top and finish with the remaining slice of toasted bread.

Greek-Style Chicken Burger

• 1 chicken breast, grilled
• 1 small bun, preferably whole grain, toasted
• 2 tbsp light tzatziki
• Desired amount of cucumber, thinly sliced
• Desired amount of tomato, thinly sliced
• Desired amount of red onion, thinly sliced

Start this cucumber recipe by spreading tzatziki on bun and place chicken breast on top. Add cucumbers, red onion and tomato and serve.