Come summer, there's no shortage of cucumbers. Which, at first, can be very exciting. (See: Smashed cucumbers! Crustless tea sandwiches! Grain bowls topped with quick pickles! Eating them plain with flaky salt!)
Until, suddenly, it's not. Which happens for me every year roughly around August 1, the convergence point of well-meaning friends and colleagues sharing their own cuke hauls, and my own overzealous stockpiling of summer produce. At which point my attitude shifts from "Would you look at all of these cucumbers?" to "Would you look at all of these cucumbers?" It's my personal Midsommar.
I start searching, feverishly, for all the ways to use them: Old standby salads, new entrée ideas, co*cktails, as a hat (?).To save you the trouble, I've compiled my efforts here. Introducing: 60 ways to use up alllllll of those cucumbers.
1. Smashed CucumberSalad
This smashed cucumber salad's crunchy, tangy, perfectly salty-sweet, and full of little bits of things you're not going to want to stop eating (Asian pear, walnuts, radish slices, kiwi...). Smashed Cucumber Salad With All of the Crispy, Crunchy Bits
2. Pasta Salad With Cucumbers, Olives &Feta
Pro tip: Call pre-dibs on any leftovers of this (cheesy!) punchy pasta salad.
3. Creamy Avocado-CucumberSalad
A clean, green answer to "What's for dinner?" Especially when paired with a slice of grilled sourdough. Crunchy, Creamy Cucumber-Avocado Salad
4. Cucumber Salad With Magic SpiceBlend
Senior Editor Eric Kim's "magic spice blend," as well as a squeeze of lime juice, take cucumber to new heights. Cucumber Salad With Magic Spice Blend
5. Cucumber & Red OnionSalad
Don't skip Ali Stafford's prescribed "salting" step, here—it makes a world of difference in drawing out extra moisture, and helping to create a bright dressing. Cucumber and Red Onion Salad
6. Creamy Cucumber"Side"
In this dish, salted cucumber gets mixed up with Greek yogurt, dill, and Meyer lemon to create a creamy, cooling salad. This simple, chilled out side works seamlessly with salmon, lamb, or anything fresh off the grill.
7. Cantaloupe & Cucumber Salad with Basil &Feta
Cucumber salad, meet cantaloupe. And fresh herbs. And cheese.
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8. Jeffrey Alford & Naomi Duguid's Spicy CucumberSalad
Make way: Genius spicy cucumber salad, comin' through. Jalapeño, Thai dried chiles, and Szechuan peppercorns join together, cooled down by cilantro along (and the cucumbers themselves!). See Also
Homemade Chicken Stock & Broth -- Trim Healthy Mama RecipeA nine-in-one pressure cooker equipped to make *deep breath* stews, soups, rice, eggs, yogurt, porridge, and veggies, among a bajillion other ideas you can try in the free recipe book it comes with.Lemon-Dill Orzo Pasta Salad With Cucumbers, Olives & Feta Recipe on Food52Toddler Food Ideas, Recipes, and Tips | MomJunction
9. White Bean with Cucumber & SumacSalad
This hearty salad is just what we need in August, thanks to creamy white beans, crunchy cucumbers, and a citrusy kick from tangerines. White Bean with Cucumber and Sumac Salad
10. SmackedCucumber
Feel free to make this smacked cucumber salad (with a sweet and tangy soy-balsamic dressing) ahead of time—it'll keep three days in the fridge.
11. Cucumber & Fennel Salad with a ChineseVinaigrette
All of the crunch, right this way: sweet fennel, cucumbers, and a zingy dressing. Cucumber and Fennel Salad with a Chinese Vinaigrette
12. Seaweed Salad with Kale &Cucumber
Wakame seaweed, cucumber, and ribboned kale mingle in a salty-sweet vinaigrette to great effect. Seaweed Salad with Kale and Cucumber
13. Tomato, Cucumber & Fresh HerbSalad
This colorful update to a Caprese stars cukes, tomatoes (two types!), fresh mozz, and lots of herbs. It's a constant in our summer rotation. Tomato, Cucumber, and Fresh Herb Salad
14. Tomato, Cucumber, Corn & Herb SummerSalad
All the good stuff, in one bowl. According to recipe author Cristina Sciarra, it's "infinitely adaptable," too. "You can add radishes or white beans. Fold in almost-stale bread (I like homemade garlic croutons) for panzanella. Add avocado or a medley of your favorite summertime herbs." All great ideas. Tomato, Cucumber, Corn, and Herb Summer Salad
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15. Herbed Radish & CucumberRelish
Meet your new favorite burger topping, this herby cucumber and radish number. (Or: Your new favorite thing to eat off of a spoon.) Herbed Radish and Cucumber Relish
16.Fattoush
Cucumbers' best friends? Sweet summer tomatoes and big planks of pita bread. Crunchy, lemony sumac and pomegranate syrup are in the friend group, too.
17. French Lentil, Kamut & Avocado Salad with BasilDressing
Here's a satisfying grain salad with a zippy basil dressing, with plenty of julienned cucumber to give it crunch and coolness. French Lentil, Kamut, and Avocado Salad with Basil Dressing
18. Gena Hamshaw's Vegan DeliBowls
Smashed chickpeas take the place of that deli mystery "meat"—tuna? potato?—along with lots of salty, crunchy, pickled bits, and everyone wins. Gena Hamshaw's (Vegan) Deli Bowls With Smashed Chickpea Salad
19. Early SummerPanzanella
This one's called "The Greatest Salad of All Time" for a reason—it's full of seasonal vegetables and doused with a garlicky green dressing you (I) could basically drink straight.
20. Chopped Kitchen Sink Salad with Yogurt Dressing &Bottarga
An extra-green salad that's anything but boring. (See: labne. Scallions. Bottarga.)
21. Summer Melon Salad with Harissa, Feta &Mint
This one's a no-cook power player with a harissa-honey dressing, cooling mint, and crunchy slices of cucumber. Summer Melon Salad with Harissa, Feta, and Mint
22. GazpachoPanzanella
Picture everything good about gazpacho, dialed up a notch. This hearty salad has summer tomatoes, cucumbers, and a ton of crusty bread to soak up all the juices.
23. Avocado ToastSalad
If you liked the original, you'll love the sequel—bring on the ripe avocado; the seedy, nutty bread; and the slices of radish, cucumber, and onion.
24. Spring RadishesSalad
This is like the perfect potato salad, minus the potatoes—and plus cucumbers, radishes, and chunks of salty-tangy feta. Spring Radishes Salad in a Sour Cream and Yogurt Sauce
25. Chilled Cucumber & Avocado Soup with MangoSalsa
Summer, get ready for your perfect soup, with creamy avocado, herbal cucumber, scallions, and, oh, an incredible corn and mango salsa on top... Chilled Cucumber and Avocado Soup with Mango Salsa
26. Yogurt Soup with Cucumbers & Walnuts(Tarator)
Garlic, walnuts, and country bread provide invisible depth to this cold, creamy cucumber-yogurt soup. Yogurt Soup with Cucumbers and Walnuts (Tarator)
27. Chilled CucumberSoup
If you can blend, you can make this dead-simple soup. And pro tip, according to recipe author A Pleasant Little Kitchen: "If the soup needs to be served immediately and there is no time to chill, add a few pieces of crushed ice" before you blend. Brilliant. Chilled Avocado and Cucumber Soup
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28. Watermelon Gazpacho with Feta &Mint
A food processor taps in to combine watermelon, vinegar-soaked cucumbers, shallots, and chiles. Top with feta and mint, and thank us later. Watermelon Gazpacho with Feta and Mint
29. Soba Salad with Cucumbers, Soft Tofu & Quick ChileOil
Here, we give you the ultimate summer soba salad, starring cucumber—and cucumber dressing. And chile oil.
30. Spicy Garlic Noodles with Crumbled Tofu & CucumberSalad
Quick, spicy, satisfying noodles join forces with a cooling cucumber salad in this dish. The crumbled tofu makes them faintly reminiscent of Szechuan pork noodles, but we're guaranteeing you won't be miss the meat. Spicy Garlic Noodles with Crumbled Tofu and Cucumber Salad
31. Kombucha-Marinated Steak With Smashed CucumberSalad
Kombucha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and garlic come together for an unforgettable steak-and-cukes salad. Serve with plain white rice or rice noodles to give it even more staying power. Kombucha-Marinated Steak With Smashed Cucumber Salad
32. Salmon withCucumbers
Perfectly cooked salmon with a simple cucumber slaw to accompany? We think yes. This one's excellent hot, cold, or anywhere in between.
33. Summer VeggieSandwich
Get your "five a day" (and then some) all in one go, with lots of crunchy veg and a generous swipe of basil mayo. These hulking veggies sandwiches are next-level.
34. Hot Soba Noodle Soup with Salmon, Cucumber &Togarashi
Cucumbers add crunch to this hearty salmon and noodle soup. The beauty here lies in its simplicity and riffability: With a flavorful broth, plain cooked soba noodles and salmon, and lots of crunchy raw veg, you can customize it any which way. Hot Soba Noodle Soup with Salmon, Cucumber, and Togarashi
35. Jasper White’s World-Famous LobsterRolls
The secret ingredient for crunch in these Genius lobster rolls? You guessed it. Jasper White’s World-Famous Lobster Rolls
36. Padma Lakshmi’s YogurtRice
Yogurt, rice, lentils, cukes, and spices make for a meal that's equal parts simple and cozy. It's summer comfort food at its finest, and couldn't be lower-maintenance. Padma Lakshmi’s Yogurt Rice
37. Crispy Chickpea Waffles With Herby Israeli Salad & Harissa TahiniSauce
A chunky chickpea batter griddled into a waffle becomes savory take on breakfast-for-dinner. Crispy edges are non-negotiable—same goes for the sweet and crunchy tomato–cucumber salad on top.
38. Grilled Avocado Halves with Cumin-Spiced Quinoa & Black BeanSalad
This dish is everything great about summer: A grilled avocado, stuffed with all the grains and vegetables fit to stuff. Grilled Avocado Halves with Cumin-Spiced Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
39. Banh Mi SoftTacos
A riff on Vietnamese banh mi, but in taco form, filled with chicken thighs, crunchy pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs.
40. Avocado ToastSandwich
Your favorite breakfast (times two!), plus fresh mozzarella, tomatillos, and a generous scoop of pesto. A few thin rounds of cucumber add freshness and a bit of much-needed crunch. Monster Avocado Toast Sandwich
41. Vietnamese Rice NoodleSalad
This salad wants you to riff and riff, using whatever vegetables and meats you have in the fridge. Delicate rice noodles and lots of fresh herbs are a must, though.
42. Indian ClubSandwich
A crunchier, spicier, cheesy take on a club sandwich, from Mumbai. Since the sandwich is griddled, too, it's got a great mix of hot and cold, melty and crisp-crunchy.
43. Mokbar's Chilled SoybeanNoodles
These noodles require just a few (vegan!) ingredients—soybeans, sesame seeds, tahini, and noodles, along with lots of fresh veggies for garnish—and make for the perfect cooling, summer lunch.
44. Momof*cku's PorkBuns
There's a reason these buns have gained something of a cult following over the years—they're perfect. In them, quick-pickled cucumbers top crisped pork belly and hoisin in homemade steamed buns.
45. Summer Vegetable & Glass NoodleSalad
Lime juice, fish sauce, garlic, and chile bring noodles, chicken, cucumber, and more to life in this summery noodle dish.
46. Vietnamese Pork and Shrimp Spring Rolls (GỏiCuốn)
Vietnamese spring rolls are refreshing, endlessly customizable, and dipping sauce–adjacent. This version uses pork, shrimp, and lots of fresh vegetables and herbs to give it heft and bite.
47. Tofu BánhMì
Fried tofu and crunchy vegetables make for especially delicious bánh mì. A swipe of mayonnaise on a crusty baguette creates the perfect bed for all the fixings.
48. Sichuan Mouth-Numbing ColdNoodles
"My grandma is from the Sichuan (Szechuan) province in China, and because of that, I've always claimed that spicy food is as normal to me as bread," writes recipe creator Betty. "This is one of my favorite dishes for the summertime...it's cold, it's yummy, and it satisfies my spicy cravings."
49. Chicken & Salad,Milanese-Style
Meet the chicken milanese Dorie Greenspan dreamed up, to evoke a restaurant favorite. It's covered in a crunchy cucumber–herb salad to lighten and brighten the breaded chicken cutlet.
50. Quick Cucumber & ShisoPickles
Summertime quick pickles, to the rescue! (Shiso, you're invited. You too, mirin.)
51. Bread & ButterPickles
A bright, crisp take on the store-bought stuff. Garlic, turmeric, and celery and mustard seeds give these a spicy, crunchy lift.
52. Simple PickledSlaw
Pickles in an hour? Sign us right up. You can use whatever hardy vegetables you like, and the brine couldn't be easier to stir together.
53. Lacto-Fermented Pickles with GarlicScapes
Don't try saying this recipe names five times fast—just make it while you can still find garlic scapes at the farmer's market.
54. Cucumber-FennelFizz
An excellent warm-weather fizz, with or without gin. Fennel and cucumber give it a savory, sweet, and refreshing burst of flavor.
55. Rosé Sangria with White Peaches &Cucumber
Cukes and sweet white peaches make the perfect garnish for rosé sangria, and that's a fact.
56. Cucumber AguaFresca
Extra-special touches in this juicy, thirst-quenching agua fresca include cucumber-infused ice, as well as thinly sliced citrus.
57. HothouseCooler
Margaritas get a face-lift, thanks to sweet, tender hothouse cucumbers and pleasantly tart grapefruit.
58. Pimm'sCup
Refreshing, summery, and ready for you to cheers with it. A cucumber garnish makes this drink.
59. Watermelon, Mint & Cider VinegarTonic
This cooler is equal parts sweet and sour, soothing and shocking, thanks to tart cider vinegar and a whole lot of fruit, cukes, and herbs.
60. SM Jenkinsco*cktail
Filled with curls of cucumber and a hefty pour of gin, this not-too-sweet co*cktail is your service and ready for some cheers-ing, all summer long. What's your go-to recipe for using up cucumbers? Let us know in the comments! 
