Salads, noodles, sandwiches, soups, and more… a lot more.

The cucumber is so unassuming.

It’s a simple green vegetable.

Summer peach and cucumber salad in a bowl with a serving spoon. A blue linen is to the right and peaches, limes and basil are to the left of the bowl.

Kalisa Marie Martin

And yet they’re so delicious.

The cucumber is a versatile veggie that plays a supporting character todipon a crudite platter.

It can also be the star of a salad or a cocktail.

Spicy Cucumber and Jalapeno Salad on a Plate with a Halved Jalapeno and Utensils

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Easy Cucumber, Peach, and Basil Salad

This salad says summer, summer, summer.

Combine English cucumbers and fresh peaches then top with a vinaigrette full of fresh basil.

It makes a great side for almost anything you might cook up on your grill such ascilantro lime chicken.

Large bowl of spicy noodles with cucumbers and chili crisp.

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

Slice up Persian cucumbers and jalapenos, and addcilantro, rice vinegar, agave, and some salt.

Fermented Pickles

Simply Recipes / Melanie Tienter

Fermented pickles are easy to make.

Make a brine with garlic, peppercorns, chilies, and dill.

Jars of Fermented Pickles on a Counter

Simply Recipes / Melanie Tienter

Slice Kirby pickles or other small pickling cucumber.

Cover the pickles in a canning jar with the brine.

Refrigerate for up to one month.

cucumber sandwiches on a white elevated serving platter

Sally Vargas

So simple and always a treat.

Serrano pepper brings a little heat to the simple olive oil and apple cider vinegar dressing.

Want to take it up a decadent notch.

Stone fruit and vegetable salad in a serving bowl with a linen underneath.

Alison Bickel

Top each serving with creamy mozzarella or burrata.

Cucumber mango salsa balances the heat in this grilled salmon brushed with lime andchili pepper.

Cold Cucumber Soup

Homemade soup in 10 minutes with no cooking at all?

Cucumber Soup with a sprig of dill in a white bowl with a blue napkin

That’s the beauty of delicious, refreshing cold cucumber soup.

A perfect first course to a hot summer’s night’s meal.

Add some Tabasco and Worcestershire for a little kick.

Fresh & Easy Cucumber Salad

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

It’s best to make this a few hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Cucumber Salad with Grapes and Almonds

There are endless ways to make cucumbers the main ingredient in a salad.

Here, grapes, garlic, and almonds join the crunchy vegetable for a balanced summer salad.

chunky gazpacho in a black bowl

Elise Bauer

It’s a bit like a deconstructedwhite gazpacho.

Persian cucumbers work best, but you’ve got the option to use other thin-skinned varieties, too.

How quick is this to make?

cucumber, almond, and grape salad in a decorative cobalt blue bowl

Elise Bauer

Try just 7 minutes.

It takes just 5 minutes to prepare and you’ve got the option to serve it immediately.

Cucumber and mint together are particularly refreshing that you’ll want to drink all summer long.

Cucumber Salad with Tahini Dressing

Elise Bauer

If you’re looking for a drinknon-alcoholic cocktailvibe, this is the one.

It helps douse the heat when a meal is too spicy.

Serve it alongside dishes likegrilled shrimp with Konkan-inspired masala.

Sesame Cucumber Salad

Elise Bauer

Start with fresh pickles, addonionsand a syrup of pickling spices, cider and sugar.

This unique combination is delicious.

Bowl of Tzatziki (Cucumber Yogurt Salad) With Sprigs of Dill

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca

Elise Bauer

Cucumber Mint Raita in a white bowl

Elise Bauer

Bread and Butter Pickles in a Jar (No Lid)

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

lime jello salad with cucumber and horseradish

Elise Bauer