12 delicious ways to use cucumbers before they go bad

Too many cucumbers? Lucky you! This summertime fruit is refreshing all on its own, but these hydrating, crisp fruits can do so much more than top salads. And yes, because cucumbers develop from flowers and contain seeds, they’re botanically classified as fruits, even if they’re more typically treated as vegetables in cooking.

Whether you’re overloaded with Persian, English, Kirby, or another favorite variety from your garden or the farmers’ market, here’s what to do with all those cukes.

Shake up cucumbers in cocktails and mocktails

Cucumber is a great cocktail or mocktail ingredient, and thinly shaved, it can also make a lovely garnish. Try cucumber in the following recipes:

• elderflower gin cocktail
• garden party mocktail
• cucumber-chile limeade can be served with or without alcohol

Let cucumbers take center stage in salads

Cucumbers are far more than a basic garnish, but can be the star of your summer salads. Try the following recipes:

• sesame cucumber salad that uses an entire pound of Persian cukes
• chickpea salad with smashed cucumbers that gets better as it sits
• smashed cucumber salad to serve with steak or other proteins
• cucumber melon salad with chile
• sushi- inspired California roll salad
• Persian shirazi salad
• sweet-heat watermelon crunch salad
• cucumber radish salad

Make creamy cucumber dips and condiments

Because they’re quite neutral in flavor but offer crunch, hydration, and a burst of green color, cucumbers are a popular ingredient in many dips and spreads. Make your own raita, a creamy and cooling Indian cucumber condiment, or mix up some tzatziki, a Greek yogurt, garlic, and cucumber dip.

Add them to sandwiches

Cucumbers add a refreshing crunch to sandwiches. Try them in:

• tea sandwiches, like these crab, mango finger sandwiches or simply layered with cream cheese
• with hummus and avocados in these fully loaded veggie sandwiches
• pork banh mi
• avocado chicken salad club sandwiches
• on bagels loaded with lox or other cured fish

Then serve the sandwiches with pickles made from extra cucumbers.

Turn them into homemade pickles

The most iconic pickles are made from cucumbers, and it’s easy enough to make them at home. Try classic dill pickles, which use fresh herbs, vinegar, and additional spices to infuse and preserve the cucumbers. Pickles with a kick are another fun way to spice up your pickle selection at home. Fermented foods are excellent for gut health!

Blend cucumbers into cool, refreshing smoothies

Because cucumbers contain more than 90% water, they’re a great ingredient to add to a smoothie, bringing hydration along with vitamins and minerals. Peel the cucumbers first if you want a less vegetal flavor.

Try adding cucumber to:

• Green smoothies
• Tropical fruit smoothies, like this pineapple-cucumber smoothie
• Creamy blends with avocado and banana

Infuse spa water

Iconically seen sliced on spa-goers’ eyes, cucumbers are also a calming way to infuse drinking water. Add sliced cucumbers and citrus along with fresh mint or berries for a refreshing drink. If you have too much basil, add a few sprigs to the spa water, as well.

Use cucumbers in unexpected ways

• Serve them as a healthy and satisfying late-night snack, on their own, or as part of a spread of bites, like the savory girl snack plate
• Halve and hollow them out (just use a spoon to scoop out the seeds) and use as boats for chicken, tuna, or egg salads
• Spiralize or julienne them into cucumber noodles, like sesame noodles
• Use them in low-cook or no-cook dishes, including fresh cucumber avocado summer rolls
• Make a chilled cucumber melon soup, a refreshing no-cook blender meal