25 Cooling Cucumber Recipes

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Photos of cooling cucumber recipes including drinks, dips, salads, and more

Is there anything more refreshing than a cool, crisp cucumber in the summertime? To help you enjoy this summer veggie to the fullest, we’ve gathered our BEST cucumber recipes that are DELICIOUS, hydrating, and easy to make. Scroll through to find a new recipe to make and enjoy!

(Note: Dietary symbols listed throughout for easy navigation!)

Appetizers & Sides

Dipping a tortilla chip into a bowl of peach salsa
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Easy Peach Cucumber Salsa
Fresh, sweet, crunchy peach salsa with cucumber, jalapeño, and cilantro. A versatile topping for tacos, bowls, and beyond! Just 15 minutes, 7 ingredients, and 1 bowl required.
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Jar of cucumber spears made into Refrigerator Pickles
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Quick Refrigerator Pickles
A step-by-step guide for making quick pickled cucumbers. Only 7 ingredients required!
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Bowl of our Mediterranean cucumber tomato chickpea salad with fresh mint leaves and lemon slices
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Mediterranean-Inspired Cucumber Chickpea Salad
A fresh, vibrant Mediterranean-inspired salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, and fresh mint! Perfect for meal prep, or as a versatile spring and summer side dish!
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Bowl of cucumber salad with fresh dill and mint and topped with crispy chickpeas and vegan feta
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Cucumber Salad with Fresh Dill & Mint
Crunchy, tangy cucumber salad with fresh dill and mint! Optional crispy chickpeas add protein to this delicious summery side dish. Just 7 ingredients, 1 bowl, and 15 minutes required!
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Plate of our gingery smashed cucumber salad recipe
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Gingery Smashed Cucumber Salad (Asian-Inspired)
Fresh, crunchy smashed cucumber salad with ginger, sesame, and other Asian-inspired flavors. Just 1 bowl, 10 ingredients, and 10 minutes required for this versatile side!
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Platter of spicy watermelon cucumber salad drizzled with mango vinaigrette
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Spicy Watermelon Salad (True Food-Inspired!)
Sweet + spicy watermelon salad with cucumber, avocado, and a creamy mango vinaigrette. A show-stopping side inspired by True Food Kitchen. Just 20 minutes required!
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Top down shot of a bowl of creamy cucumber salad
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Creamy Vegan Cucumber Salad (German-Inspired)
Creamy, German-inspired cucumber salad with fresh dill and tangy coconut yogurt. A refreshing, plant-based side for BBQs and beyond. Just 15 minutes, 10 ingredients, and 1 bowl required!
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Limes, cilantro, and peanuts on a bowl of our sesame noodle salad recipe
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Creamy Sesame Noodle Salad (30 Minutes!)
Creamy and satisfying sesame noodle salad that’s perfect for picnics or BBQs! A great side dish to serve with tempeh, tofu, or chicken skewers. Just 30 minutes required!
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Wood bowl filled with cucumber watermelon salad
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Minty Watermelon Cucumber Salad (Vegan)
Fresh watermelon and cucumber salad with red onion, mint leaves, and jalapeño! A refreshing plant-based side for summer and beyond! Just 10 ingredients and 20 minutes required.
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Teal bowl filled with our Summer Tomato, Cucumber, and Cantaloupe Salad
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Summer Tomato & Cantaloupe Salad
A summery, 10-ingredient melon salad with cantaloupe and mint tossed in lime juice, paired with cucumber, tomatoes, and onion tossed in a light vinaigrette. Refreshing, fiber-rich, and so delicious.
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Bowl of homemade Vegan Tzatziki beside carrots, cucumber, dill, and lemon
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6-Ingredient Vegan Tzatziki
Easy, 1-Bowl vegan tzatziki made with 6 simple ingredients! Creamy, tangy, and the perfect dairy-free alternative to traditional tzatziki.
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Mains

Close up shot of a vegan tempeh and hummus sandwich with fresh vegetables
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Chipotle Hummus Sandwich with Smoky Tempeh Bacon
A quick and easy sandwich with spicy chipotle hummus, smoky tempeh bacon, and fresh veggies. Plant-based, fiber- and protein-packed, and just 7 ingredients and 15 minutes required!
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Using wooden tongs to pick up fresh vegetable noodle salad
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Raw Rainbow Veggie Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing
A light and refreshing rainbow veggie noodle salad with a savory-sweet peanut dressing. Just 30 minutes required for this vibrant, plant-based side or meal.
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Tray displaying two gluten-free vegan Cauliflower Banh Mi sandwiches with a jar of pickled veggies behind it
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Cauliflower Banh Mi
Vegan Banh Mi Sandwich made with savory, caramelized cauliflower, sriracha mayo, and quick-pickled vegetables. Just 30 minutes to make this hearty sandwich!
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Bite of flaky salmon on a fork next to a smoky salmon salad
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Smoky Summer Salad with Lime-Crusted Salmon (30 Minutes!)
Flavorful lime-crusted salmon atop a fiber-rich salad of greens, cabbage, and black beans, topped with smoky chipotle dressing and fresh peach salsa. Just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes required!
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Tamari and a vegan sushi bowl with ginger marinated tofu
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Vegan Sushi Bowls with Ginger Marinated Tofu
Easy vegan sushi bowls with marinated tofu, fresh vegetables, rice, seaweed, and quick pickled carrots! All the fresh, delicious flavor of sushi in convenient, versatile bowl form. Just 10 ingredients required!
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Plate filled with our Easy Greek Bowl recipe surrounded by tahini sauce, lemon, and sliced vegetables
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Greek Goddess Bowl (30 Minutes!)
30-minute, 10-ingredient Greek- and Mediterranean-inspired bowl with vegetables, tabbouleh, vegan tzatziki, and crispy baked chickpeas! A healthy, satisfying entrée or snack.
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Chopsticks resting on a bowl filled with our Thai Noodle Bowl recipe with Crispy Almond Butter Tofu
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Rice Noodle Bowls with Almond Butter Tofu
30-minute rice noodle bowls with fresh veggies and crispy almond butter tofu! A flavorful, healthy, satisfying plant-based meal.
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Cutting board filled with homemade Brown Rice Sushi
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Veggie Brown Rice Sushi
Easy, 10-ingredient sushi with sticky brown rice and vegetables. Hearty, healthy, and delicious. Methods provided for with and without a sushi mat!
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Platter of Quinoa Spring Rolls alongside a bowl of Cashew Dipping Sauce
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Quinoa Spring Rolls with Cashew Dipping Sauce
FRESH, simple spring rolls with quinoa, veggies, herbs, and a flavorful cashew dipping sauce. A healthy, satisfying 30-minute meal that’s special-diet friendly.
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Sliced open Tofu Vietnamese Spring Roll on a cutting board with limes and more rolls
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Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Crispy Tofu
30-minute Vietnamese-inspired spring rolls with fast crispy tofu and a savory-sweet almond butter dipping sauce. Flavorful, crisp, delectable, and so fresh and perfect for spring and summer.
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Drinks

Cutting board with glasses of green juice and ingredients used to make it
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Easy Green Juice Recipe + Juicing Tips
Our favorite green juice recipe, just 7 ingredients required! Incredibly refreshing, nourishing, and delicious. Plus, juicing tips, go-to methods, and juicer recommendations.
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Two glasses of our Healthy Cucumber Smoothie topped with sliced cucumber and lime
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Creamy Pineapple Cucumber Smoothie
A creamy, 6-ingredient cucumber smoothie with coconut, lime, pineapple, and greens! A nutrient-rich, refreshing smoothie that will beautify you from the inside out!
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Overflowing jar of our vegan Super Green Spirulina Smoothie
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Super Green Spirulina Smoothie (5 Ingredients!)
A nutritious and vibrant green smoothie with 5 ingredients: banana, cucumber, coconut milk, spirulina, and spinach! The perfect plant-based breakfast or snack.
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Glasses of our Cucumber Cooler Cocktail recipe topped with cucumbers slices, mint leaves, and limes
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Cucumber Cooler Cocktails
A light, refreshing cocktail with fresh lime and mint and a surprising, pleasant crunch from cucumber slices.
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If you try any of these cucumber recipes, let us know! Leave a comment, rate them, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Enjoy, friends!

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