Cucumbers are an exceptionally versatile ingredient. Crispy and fresh, they elevate any salad to which they’re added. Pickled and preserved, they can add heat and spice to any dish (or, famously, burger) they grace. Here are just a few stunning ways you can put cucumber to good use.
Sweet cucumber and orange salad
Traditionally served as an accompaniment to spicy dishes, this recipe would also make a great light vegetarian starter. Note
Chilled cucumber soup with whipped feta toasts
Sharp and tasty whipped feta toasts make a wonderful contrast to this cool, mild chilled cucumber soup.
Bread and butter pickles
You’ll be making delicious pickled cucumbers in no time!
Oysters with mirin and cucumber
Spice up a platter of plump oysters with cucumber and piquant mirin dressing.
Cucumber and fetta salad with za’atar
Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend typically including roasted sesame seeds, thyme and sumac, although its exact combination varies according to its maker. It is delightfully tart and fragrant, and adds a unique flavour and kick to many dishes.
Thai beef salad
It’s deceptively easy to make.
Yoghurt and cucumber dip (Tzatziki)
Light, fresh and creamy.
Cucumber salad with teriyaki salmon skewers
A divine starter for a celebratory dinner, these teriyaki salmon skewers with cucumber salad are exquisite. You can alternate salmon chunks with prawns if you like.
Tandoori chicken with cucumber salad
The char-grill gives it that smoky tandoori flavour.
Marinated cucumber sandwich
The cucumber can be sliced with a vegetable peeler for even, thin slices. Note
Brown lentil patties with grilled cucumber salad
These delicious brown lentil and spinach patties are baked, not fried, for a wonderfully healthy dinner. Serve with our fresh grilled cucumber and yoghurt salad for a filling, fibre-packed meal.
Salmon and cucumber sushi
Homemade salmon and cucumber sushi are a delicious way to celebrate fresh seafood over the summer. Kept chilled, they also make a delicious quick lunchbox filler too.
Beef, mint and cucumber salad
If you’re taking this salad to work, hold the lemon juice until you’re ready to eat. Otherwise, eat the salad while the beef is still warm. Note
Spiced tofu bao buns with pineapple cucumber salad
Ever wanted to make your own bao buns? This recipe shows you how.
Crab, avocado and cucumber sandwiches
Layout a full afternoon tea spread of little cakes, scones with jam and cream and these divinely spicy crab, avocado and cucumber sandwiches.
Vietnamese prawn and cucumber salad
The fresh flavours of Vietnam make this plump prawn and crisp cucumber salad an utterly delightful dish.
Ultimate Greek salad
Light, fresh and brimming with flavour.
Crab, cucumber and wakame salad
Try to use the freshest crab meat you can for this dish or very good quality canned crabmeat. To obtain ginger juice, squeeze grated fresh ginger into a sieve set over a bowl. A piece of ginger measuring about 2cm (¾ inch) in length will yield 2 teaspoons of grated ginger; this amount of grated […]
Oysters with cucumber and shallot salad
You can use white balsamic vinegar instead of the champagne vinegar. Chervil is a delicately flavoured herb with anise overtones and a soft feathery texture. You can use coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley instead. Note
Melon, cucumber and white onion salad
You will need about 3 limes for this recipe. Note
Corn fritters with cucumber salad
You can use 1½ cups (240g) of fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels instead of canned if you prefer. Note
Pork with pineapple and cucumber salsa
Light and summery dish of pan-fried pork with a sweet and spicy pineapple and cucumber salsa.
