Gen Z Is Making Cucumbers Cool Again—Here Are 16 TikTok-Approved Recipes
Thanks to cucumber guy (AKA @Logagm), cucumbers are TikTok’s newest food obsession. If cucumber salad brings to mind sliced cucumbers tossed in a simple vinaigrette, then a quick scroll through Logan’s page will have you rethinking the possibilities of the classic side. Lox and cream cheese, loaded baked potato toppings, and kimchi are just a few of the cucumber creations that have been taking TikTok by storm. If you’re feeling the cucumber craze, let these recipes be your starter pack for all of the different ways you can shake up an entire cucumber.
My favorite thing about cucumber salads? They're so simple to create. They’re pretty much impossible to mess up, can be whipped up in a pinch as an afternoon pick-me-up or a healthy late night snack, and are totally versatile based on what you have on hand. When compiling these recipes, I took inspo from the recipes that are all over my feed, and added a few new combinations to give you plenty of mix-in ideas. Craving a cucumber every day? No problem—if TikTok has shown us anything, it’s that there is no shortage of ideas for how to make this snack as creative as possible.
Tired of cucumbers? Gasp! If you’re looking for more vegetable and fruit-based salads to make (and shake up!), turn to our tomato salad, zucchini salad, and green bean salad.
Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad
One of our all-time favorite Chinese side dishes is also one of the easiest dishes to make: smashed cucumber salad, drizzled with fragrant hot chili oil, cool and crisp and so refreshingly addictive. On a hot summer day, it's like a spicy-savory equivalent of slices of cold, juicy watermelon: hydrating for the soul, quenching thirst and hunger in one go.
Get the Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad recipe.
Blueberry Peach Feta Salad
While savory versions might be taking over the cucumber salad trend, you shouldn't overlook a fruit-packed version. Blueberries, peaches, cucumbers, AND feta? You’ll be amazed by how well this combination comes together in salad form.
Get the Blueberry Peach Feta Salad recipe.
Homemade Kimchi
This homemade kimchi features Napa cabbage and daikon radish, two ingredients commonly found in kimchi in U.S. and international supermarkets. Make it homemade, then add it (along with some of the juice!) to sliced up cucumbers, and shake it up for a perfect side dish.
Get the Homemade Kimchi recipe.
Cucumber Salad
Classic recipes feature the crisp, green vegetable thinly sliced into rounds and tossed in a simple combination of salt, sugar, and vinegar, but we think you (and your BBQs!) deserve better than basic. A few simple tweaks add up to a big upgrade in flavor and texture over the cucumber salad you thought you knew.
Get the Cucumber Salad recipe.
Watermelon Feta Salad
Cucumber might not be the star of the show in this salad, but mint, red onion, and tangy feta with a very simple vinaigrette (just olive oil + red wine vinegar) makes this watermelon-based salad shine.
Get the Watermelon Feta Salad recipe.
Greek Salad
Filled with fresh veggies, tangy feta, and a simple dressing made of ingredients you might already have in your fridge, this simple Greek salad is one of my go-to potluck recipes.
Get the Greek Salad recipe.
Viral Spiral Cucumber Salad
Looking for a fresh twist on your classic cucumber salad? Spiral-ify it. Featuring a spicy sweet harissa dressing and showered with feta and dill, this take on viral TikTok spiral cucumber salad will be the first dish to disappear at your summer potluck.
Get the Viral Spiral Cucumber Salad recipe.
Tzatziki
Extremely versatile and simple to make, tzatziki is the one-stop condiment we always keep in our fridge—just in case. This creamy cucumber-based condiment is the perfect thing to shake up with a container of cucumbers. Add a bit, give it a shake, and voilà!
Get the Tzatziki recipe.
Shrimp Mango Salad
Have leftover shrimp? Make this quick and easy salad that combines mango, cucumber, cabbage, avocado, chopped peanuts, herbs, and a super-simple dressing.
Get the Shrimp Mango Salad recipe.
Blackberry Peach Salad
Packed with fresh fruits, cooling cucumber, and juicy tomatoes, this vibrant summer salad works as a colorful centerpiece to lunch or dinner. The combination of juicy peaches, tart blackberries, fresh herbs, and toasted walnuts piled over zesty honeyed ricotta packs an incredible punch. Feeling lazy? Simply dollop the ricotta on top.
Get the Blackberry Peach Salad recipe.
Cucumber, Tomato & Onion Salad
On a summer hot day, it's key to have refreshing dishes on hand. That's where this cucumber, tomato, and onion salad comes in. It features peak-of-summer ingredients that are packed with water, AKA the foods that will refresh and rehydrate you as you eat.
Get the Cucumber, Tomato & Onion Salad recipe.
Greek Chickpea Salad
With a creamy yogurt dressing, briny olives, feta, chickpeas, and crunchy vegetables like bell peppers and cucumbers (of course), this Greek-inspired salad is so creamy and refreshing. Don’t have or like some of those options? This tasty and filling salad is ripe for improvisation—feel free to swap in and out whatever you’ve got in your fridge.
Get the Greek Chickpea Salad recipe.
TikTok Green Goddess Salad
Most cucumber salads focus on lager slices of cucumber, but in this TikTok-viral recipe, diced cucumber is tossed with green cabbage, feta, scallions, fresh herbs, and a blended flavor-packed dressing.
Get the TikTok Green Goddess Salad recipe.
Crunch Salad
This salad was made as an homage to crunch. Every ingredient has been chosen to amplify texture while also adding bold flavors. We included green apple, roasted peanuts, cabbage, kale, and cucumber, but go ahead and add any ingredient with crunch.
Get the Crunch Salad recipe.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Instead of the classic vinaigrette, we use a creamy dressing in this recipe (made of lemon juice, Greek yogurt, and dill). The result is a refreshing, herby switch on the staple side that will win over any creamy salad lover.
Get the Creamy Cucumber Salad recipe.
Avocado Tomato Salad
Don't confuse this colorful salad with guac—there's way more depth of flavor and variety of texture, which makes it one of our favorite summer sides of all time.
Get the Avocado Tomato Salad recipe.
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