67 creative cucumber recipes

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Looking for delicious cucumber recipes to transform this crisp, refreshing vegetable into something spectacular? You’ve come to the right place. Our collection of cucumber recipes proves this versatile ingredient deserves a starring role far beyond the salad bowl.

From vibrant cucumber salads and cooling tzatziki to pickled cucumber favourites, chilled soups and even cucumber cocktails, these recipes showcase the incredible range of this humble veggie.

Whether you’re after quick cucumber recipes for weeknight dinners, impressive cucumber canapes for entertaining, or creative ways to preserve your garden harvest, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here.

Discover how to pickle cucumbers for that perfect burger topping and blend them into refreshing summer drinks. Or pair them with everything from grilled salmon to spiced lamb skewers. We have both traditional and contemporary cucumber recipes that highlight Asian, Mediterranean and modern Australian flavours. Yes, there’s something for every taste and occasion in this definitive guide to cooking with cucumbers.

Cucumber varieties

Telegraph or continental cucumbers are long and narrow with thick skin and are less juicy than other varieties.

Green or green ridge cucumbers are long and thick-skinned, with large seeds which can be bitter, so are often removed.

Apple or white cucumbers may be longish or round and have large seeds which may be removed before eating, if preferred. They are mild and juicy.

Lebanese cucumbers are small, long, juicy cucumbers with thin, tender skins and small, soft seeds. Eat these peeled, partly peeled to give green and white stripes, or unpeeled. Baby Lebanese cucumbers, very tender with almost no seeds, are sold as qukes.

Gherkins or pickling cucumbers are hard with tough, knobbly skins. Use small ones to pickle whole, and large ones cut into chunks for pickling.

Recipes using cucumbers

Entertaining
November 8, 2023

Easiest-ever ocean trout  

Roasting a whole side of fish is perfect for entertaining and an oily fish like ocean trout is very forgiving. If you happen to over cook it by a few minutes, it’s still moist and juicy.  
By Women’s Weekly Food

Dinner ideas
November 22, 2023

Rice bowl with lemongrass chicken

This fresh and zingy dinner for one is inspired by the flavours of the classic Vietnamese-French fusion sandwich banh mi.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Christmas
December 12, 2023

Green salad with red currants & orange dressing

Elevate a green salad with festive red currants and a bright orange dressing.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Dinner ideas
February 23, 2024

Shawarma-spiced lamb chops with tzatziki

Start this lamb chop recipe ahead of time to give the meat a chance to marinate and tenderise.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Vegetarian
March 12, 2024

Potato rendang with fried egg

Dinner for one, sorted.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Dinner ideas
August 28, 2024

Sweet and sour pork with rice noodle salad

A fresh version of the classic dish.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Entertaining
October 2, 2024

Tomato salad with creamed fetta

A vibrant salad platter perfect for any summer gathering.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Air fryer
October 22, 2024

Air fryer pork belly salad with ginger & soy dressing

Make this crackling good pork belly dish for your next family gathering or even for Christmas lunch.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Vegetarian
October 23, 2024

Haloumi & mango salad

This recipe is by qualified dietitian and personal trainer Lauren Marino and is from our cookbook Nourished Kitchen.

Quick & Easy
October 30, 2024

Lemon & garlic lamb kebabs with chunky Greek salad

A simple and healthy Greek salad recipe is a perfect side dish, or with the addition of these grilled lemon & garlic kebabs you can make a whole, healthy meal!
By Women’s Weekly Food

Quick & Easy
October 31, 2024

Pork loin chop with Greek salad

This dinner for one is perfect for busy spring and summer evenings.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Dinner ideas
November 14, 2024

Chicken shawarma platter with haloumi flatbread

A feast of flavour.
By Women’s Weekly Food

November 25, 2024

Vietnamese-style pork lettuce cups

A generous serving made for weekend gatherings.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Christmas
December 10, 2024

Prawn and mango salad with rice paper crisps

A prawn salad perfect for sharing as part of a Christmas feast.
Brought to you by Calypso® Mangoes

Dinner ideas
January 16, 2025

Mushu pork wraps

A richly flavoured dinner to wrap up your day.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Entertaining
August 6, 2025

Barbecued side of salmon

Impress your guests with a stunning seafood barbecue main.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Quick & Easy
October 16, 2019

Chicken and cucumber ribbon sandwiches

Entertain in style with these elegant ribbon sandwiches
By Women’s Weekly Food

Quick & Easy
April 2, 2020

Lamb kofta with cucumber yoghurt

Perfect for a tapas plate or light lunch, these lamb koftas go perfectly with the fresh cucumber yoghurt and warm pitta bread.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Vegetarian
December 8, 2020

Mini falafel with cucumber yoghurt

Bite-sized and full of flavour.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Quick & Easy
May 12, 2022

Cucumber raita

Gives a fresh edge to rich curries.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Dinner ideas
December 27, 2023

Barbecued tandoori chicken with cucumber & avocado salad

Marinating and barbecuing meat on the bone with the skin on is a guaranteed way to ensure you have flavoursome chicken.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Lunch
September 4, 2024

Smashed cucumber salad

It’s packed full of flavour.

Christmas
December 10, 2024

Crispy crackling pork belly salad

The balance of savoury and sweet flavours will make this salad the star of summer.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
October 7, 2015

Apple Pimm’s

Enjoy a classic apple Pimm’s cocktail this festive season with this delicious recipe! Fresh and fruity!
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
June 11, 2015

Spiced freekeh with cucumber and garlic minted yoghurt

Feed the family with this delicious spiced freekeh with cucumber and garlic minted yoghurt – deliciously exciting and flavoursome.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Drinks
May 31, 2010

Cucumber basil gimlet

Use a vegetable peeler to thinly slice the cucumber lengthways. Note
By Women’s Weekly Food
October 27, 2013

Ocean trout with eggplant and cucumber

By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
April 30, 2010

Barbecued squid and cucumber salad

Spicy barbecued squid and cooling cucumber make a mouth-watering pair in this easy salad.
By Women’s Weekly Food

October 9, 2022

Sweet mustard pickles

Save wilting veg from the bin and create these sweet mustard pickles.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
April 30, 2010

Kashmiri lamb skewers

Serve these spiced lamb skewers piping-hot with cucumber salad, cooling yoghurt dip and grilled flatbreads.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
April 30, 2010

Green gazpacho

This delicious chilled soup is so easy to prepare and makes the most refreshing lunch on a hot summer’s day.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
October 31, 2009

Cucumber with minted yogurt

By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
October 31, 2009

Thai cucumber pickle

Make your own spicy and delicious Thai cucumber pickle with this quick and easy recipe.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Dinner ideas
June 30, 2009

Braised pork hock with peanut caramel and pickled cucumber

This exquisite pork hock with peanut caramel & pickled cucumber is perfect for a special occasion.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
April 30, 1976

Pork with pineapple and cucumber salsa

Light and summery dish of pan-fried pork with a sweet and spicy pineapple and cucumber salsa.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Baking
January 13, 2022

Cucumber, gin and lemon cakelettes

Cupcakes for the grown-ups.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Dinner ideas
November 19, 2021

Chicken, olive and fetta salad

Fresh, flavourful and totally satisfying.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Quick & Easy
February 17, 2018

Tuna sushi sandwiches

These delicious tuna sushi style sandwiches are perfect for a kids’ lunchbox or light snack with drinks.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Quick & Easy
January 21, 2020

Vegetable and ginger soba noodle salad

This fresh vegetarian noodle salad is perfect for lunch or dinner on a hot summer day.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
February 13, 2020

Sesame chicken katsu salad

Crunchy crumbed chicken makes a perfect addition to this fresh salad with Japanese flavours
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
February 16, 2020

Chopped tomato salad with sesame salt

Give this fresh chopped salad an extra boost of flavour with mint and sesame salt.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Quick & Easy
January 12, 2022

Teriyaki salmon with edamame and cucumber rice salad

Salmon fillet, marinated in this homemade Japanese-style sauce, is perfectly paired with a low-GI rice salad full of edamame and cucumber.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
April 6, 2022

Pickled cucumbers

Don’t let any of your veggies go to waste, turn them into a selection of tangy pickles for later in the year.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Quick & Easy
October 2, 2022

Frickles with sriracha mayonnaise

Watch out! This is a seriously addictive snack.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Quick & Easy
October 31, 2009

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
By Women’s Weekly Food
Dinner ideas
June 30, 1975

Somen noodle, prawn and cucumber salad

By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
October 31, 2009

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
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
August 31, 2009

Chicken and cucumber salad

By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
July 31, 2010

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 […]
By Women’s Weekly Food

Quick & Easy
August 18, 2022

Ultimate Greek salad

Light, fresh and brimming with flavour.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
January 31, 2011

Vietnamese prawn and cucumber salad

The fresh flavours of Vietnam make this plump prawn and crisp cucumber salad an utterly delightful dish.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Lunch
May 31, 2009

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.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Dinner ideas
October 8, 2023

Spiced tofu bao buns with pineapple cucumber salad

Ever wanted to make your own bao buns? This recipe shows you how.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
March 31, 2010

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
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
August 31, 2009

Warm kipfler and cucumber salad with dill

By Women’s Weekly Food
Lunch
October 27, 2013

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.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Healthy
September 12, 2016

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.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
March 31, 1976

Marinated cucumber sandwich

The cucumber can be sliced with a vegetable peeler for even, thin slices. Note
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
November 25, 2021

Tandoori chicken with cucumber salad

The char-grill gives it that smoky tandoori flavour.
By Women’s Weekly Food
July 31, 2009

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.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Quick & Easy
November 7, 2021

Yoghurt and cucumber dip (Tzatziki)

Light, fresh and creamy.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Quick & Easy
November 15, 2023

Thai beef salad with chilli lime dressing

Sweet, sour and spicy, this flavour packed salad makes for a healthy lunch or dinner.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
June 30, 2011

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.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
October 31, 2009

Oysters with mirin and cucumber

Spice up a platter of plump oysters with cucumber and piquant mirin dressing.
By Women’s Weekly Food

Quick & Easy
September 7, 2022

Bread and butter pickles

You’ll be making delicious pickled cucumbers in no time!
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
September 30, 2011

Chilled cucumber soup with whipped feta toasts

Sharp and tasty whipped feta toasts make a wonderful contrast to this cool, mild chilled cucumber soup.
By Women’s Weekly Food
Quick & Easy
February 29, 1976

Sweet cucumber and orange salad

Traditionally served as an accompaniment to spicy dishes, this recipe would also make a great light vegetarian starter. Note
By Women’s Weekly Food

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