"Sometimes, you just need to eat an entire cucumber. Or so says TikTok creator Logan Moffitt, whose sliced cucumber salad recipes have taken over #foodtok. TikTok is no stranger to fleeting food trends, but cucumber salads have proven to be some of the most versatile recipes to grace our feeds in 2024, along with the popular egg flights and cottage cheese toast. Once-boring cucumbers are now a vessel for enjoying the flavors of dishes like jalapeño poppers, everything lox bagels, and—my personal favorite—California sushi rolls. These no-cook recipes often use ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and are easy to customize to your heart’s content.
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To whip up your own cucumber salad using Moffitt’s signature technique, you’ll need a plastic food storage container with a lid to shake your ingredients in (bonus points if it’s a deli container you kept from a takeout order). Then grab a mandoline slicer or knife for cutting (be mindful of your fingers!) and your ingredients of choice. The recipes are as simple as: slice, add ingredients, seal, shake, and enjoy!
If you’ve been influenced by the cucumber salad hype and want to make one at home, read on for 20 cucumber recipes perfect for enjoying your own cucumber of the day.
1. California Sushi Roll Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup chopped imitation crab
- ½ of an avocado, diced
- 2 tablespoon Kewpie mayo
- 1 tablespoon whipped cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon MSG seasoning
These classic sushi flavors marinate together to create the perfect copycat recipe of a California sushi roll dipped in yum-yum sauce. Spoon it on top of some seaweed to make it taste even more authentic.
2. Spicy Greek Yogurt Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon jarred Calabrian chili peppers
- ¼ cup fresh chives, finely chopped
- Dash of sea salt
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Spicy, savory, and creamy, this cucumber salad is deliciously complex but surprisingly easy to make. You’ll need some Calabrian chili peppers (AKA the Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce from Trader Joe’s) along with fresh chives and Greek yogurt, both of which help balance out the spiciness of the peppers. Top it off with some sea salt and a splash of apple cider vinegar to amp up the flavor.
3. Tzatziki-Style Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅓ cup feta cheese crumbles
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cucumbers are a key ingredient in traditional Greek tzatziki, so this Greek yogurt-based salad just makes sense. The addition of fresh herbs and feta cheese crumbles takes the crunchy, creamy concoction up a notch.
4. Everything Lox Bagel Cucumbers
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- ¼ cup whipped cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- ¼ of a red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons capers
- ½ teaspoon MSG seasoning
- 1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning
- ½ cup smoked salmon, chopped
If your go-to breakfast order is an everything bagel with lox, listen up. This cucumber salad recipe packs in all the same flavors—just minus the bagel!
5. Thai-Inspired Cucumber Salad with Peanut Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- 1 whole carrot, shredded
- ½ cup purple cabbage, shredded
- ¼ cup shelled edamame
- 1 green onion, chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup cashews, crushed
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon coconut aminos
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Juice of ½ lime
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 clove of garlic, grated
This recipe makes a perfect no-heat lunch to bring to the office. It is packed with delicious flavors and veggies for a refreshing lunch you can store all in one container!
6. Din Tai Fung-Inspired Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 clove of garlic, grated
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- ½ teaspoon MSG seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili crisp
Inspired by a menu item from the renowned Din Tai Fung restaurant in New York City, this cucumber salad recipe combines classic Asian ingredients you likely already have on hand. Toss them together for an easy and delicious salad you’ll crave.
7. Tofu Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup tofu, diced
- ¼ cup fresh green onions, chopped
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
It’s no secret that eating enough protein is one of the most talked-about nutrition trends of 2024. This cucumber salad recipe packs in 30 grams of protein, thanks to a heaping helping of tofu, which helps soak up the flavor of the rest of the Asian-inspired ingredients.
8. Steak Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- 1 steak filet, cooked to preference and sliced into strips
- ¼ of a red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon balsamic glaze
- ½ teaspoon MSG seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
This steak cucumber salad makes a great one-container recipe you can meal prep for the week. Use leftover steak from the previous night’s dinner or grab some pre-cooked chicken to save time as you throw everything together.
9. Mexican Cucumber Protein Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ package of taco seasoning
- 1 cup pre-cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 tablespoons salsa
Anyone else still hooked on the viral cottage cheese trend from earlier this year? This recipe mixes the two food trends for a creamy, Mexican-inspired bowl that’s packed with protein.
10. Tajín Lime Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- 1 tablespoon Tajín seasoning
- ½ teaspoon MSG seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Korean chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Juice of ½ lime
- Juice of ½ lemon
Get ready to turn up the heat! If you love all things sour and spicy, this cucumber salad recipe loaded with Tajín seasoning, Korean chili flakes, and citrus is just the thing.
11. Pickled Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup pepperoncini brine
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Pepper to taste
Pickle girlies, rise up. This recipe is a great way to get the classic pickle taste without having to wait for them to marinate. If you do decide to save these for later, the flavors keep well in the refrigerator—just like pickles!
12. Caesar Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup Caesar dressing
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs or crushed croutons
Caesar salads are a classic for a reason, and this recipe gives them a trendy twist. Plus, it couldn’t be simpler to make. Whip up this easy recipe for your next on-the-go lunch.
13. Jalapeño Popper Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- ¼ cup whipped cream cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon bacon bits
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced
- ½ teaspoon MSG seasoning
Jalapeño poppers are a delicious appetizer, but slicing and filling the individual peppers makes for a lot of work. This recipe recreates the flavor of this classic party food with half the effort.
14. Crab Rangoon Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup imitation crab, shredded
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
- ½ cup whipped cream cheese
- 1 green onion, chopped
- ½ tablespoon white sugar
- ½ cup wonton strips
I don’t know about you, but I think crab rangoons are an elite food, and it’s a shame they’re so difficult to make at home. This recipe offers a way to achieve the same flavor without the effort of filling, rolling, and frying rangoons from scratch.
15. Salt and Vinegar Cucumbers
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon MSG seasoning
- ½ teaspoon white sugar
For those times when you’re craving salt and vinegar chips but you want something more nutritious, this recipe delivers. Swapping in a cucumber in place of potato chips adds nutrients and fiber but won’t sacrifice the iconic crunch.
16. Ranch Cucumber Salad
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- ½ of yellow bell pepper, diced
- ¼ of a red onion, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup ranch dressing
- 1 teaspoon everything bagel seasoning
Ingredients:
Everything tastes good with ranch, right? This ranch cucumber salad recipe looks delish as is, but you could also customize it with your favorite salad toppings, like bacon bits, cherry tomatoes, or grilled chicken.
17. Sesame Peanut Cucumbers
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- 1 heaping tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon MSG seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili crunch
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 clove of garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
Peanut butter is one of those ingredients that works in both sweet and spicy recipes, and this cucumber salad recipe is no exception. It mixes sliced cucumber with a variety of pantry staples, like peanut butter, soy sauce, and chili crunch, for a savory, spicy combo that couldn’t be easier to make.
18. Quick Kimchi Cucumbers
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 clove of garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon Korean chili powder
- ½ teaspoon MSG seasoning
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Kimchi is a Korean cooking staple, but it typically requires several days to ferment before it’s ready to eat. This recipe offers a quick way to achieve a similar spicy, tangy flavor but without the long wait.
19. Peach and Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced
- 2 peaches, diced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 whole avocado, diced
- 2 green onions, diced
- ¼ cup basil, finely chopped
- 1 cup feta cheese crumbles
- Juice of 1 lime
- Drizzle of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Summer isn’t over yet! This sweet, refreshing salad is the perfect way to use up that end-of-summer produce you snagged at the farmers market.
20. Cucumber Cereal
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced and cut into matchsticks
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- ½ teaspoon MSG seasoning
- 1 clove of garlic, grated
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 cup water with ice cubes
If the words “cucumber cereal” made you picture cucumbers swimming in milk, you can rest assured that this recipe is not that. This “cereal” is more like a recipe for quick pickled cucumbers and cherry tomatoes but with an Asian-inspired twist thanks to the addition of soy sauce, sesame oil, and fish sauce. The finished product works well as a snack or a topping for your favorite Asian recipes.
Isabella Kicklighter, Editorial Assistant
As an Editorial Assistant at The Everygirl, Isabella provides support to the editorial team, contributing to content creation across an array of topics from lifestyle, beauty, and wellness to career and finance. Isabella undertakes various responsibilities such as writing and revising content, sourcing images, and assisting in collecting all necessary materials needed for stories.