Everyone has that one special food or drink that reminds them of summertime. For some, it may be freshly sliced watermelon. For others, it could be hot dogs and hamburgers cooked on the grill. One popular produce item that you’ll see on menus everywhere throughout the summer months is cucumber, which is in season from May through August. Whether it’s in the form of a salad, a margarita, or a simple cucumber-based yogurt sauce for chicken skewers, cucumber recipes not only provide a refreshing hint of flavor but they’re also packed with nutritional benefits.
Cucumber is a fruit that is low in calories but high in water, fiber, vitamins C and K, magnesium, and potassium. This fruit has also been found to contain high levels of antioxidants, which can help your body fight free radicals as you age. Flavor-wise, they provide a light, crisp, refreshing hint of flavor to dishes that is never too overpowering, and they go well with both food and drink recipes.
So, what are some easy, tasty cucumber recipes you can make right at home, whether it’s for yourself or for your next BBQ? Read on to find out, then for more, don’t miss 10 Perfect Potato Salad Recipes for Your Next BBQ.
Get our recipe for Cucumber Salad.
Raita is an Indian side dish made from dahi (or milk curd), oftentimes mixed with vegetables or fruit. In this raita recipe, you can mix your cucumber with regular or Greek yogurt and add plenty of spices and herbs along the way. Enjoy with some grilled chicken skewers at home or for your next family BBQ.
Get our recipe for Chicken Skewers and Cucumber Raita.
Most people love an everything bagel topped with cream cheese, but if you’re on the Keto diet or are needing to lower your intake of carbohydrates for other reasons, this recipe can act as an easy replacement. No, cucumbers can’t fully replace the taste and texture of your favorite bagel, but the combination of cucumber, cream cheese, and crumbled bacon will still make for a satisfying snack.
Get our recipe for Cream Cheese Cucumbers.
You can’t go wrong with a traditional margarita by the pool this summer, but why not jazz up your favorite hot-weather drink with some cucumber and jalapeño? You’ll still use your classic ingredients like tequila, simple syrup, and triple sec, but adding in some muddled jalapeño and cucumbers will turn the flavor up a notch.
Get our recipe for Cucumber and Jalapeño Margarita.
You’ve probably never thought to use kombucha as an ingredient in salsa, but combining a few tablespoons of this drink with fruit and vegetables like kiwi, mango, tomatoes, onions, cucumber, and cilantro will give your salsa just the right amount of acidity to keep your friends coming back for seconds.
