You never know what’s going to go viral on TikTok. Case in point: cucumber salads, the latest social media trend. This humble, overlooked vegetable is suddenly being celebrated by Gen Zers and Millennials thanks mostly to the Cucumber Guy, a TikTok star whose (delicious looking) cuke salads-in-deli-containers videos have gathered as many as 31 million views each. It’s influencing so many people to eat cucumbers that Iceland is having problems keeping them in stock.
Like Cucumber Guy says, “Sometimes you need to eat an entire cucumber.” For those times, here are some refreshing, fast, and easy cucumber salad recipes that were popular even before the trend.
1. TikTok Cucumber Guy Recipe
Here’s the Cucumber Guy’s original recipe that started the whole trend. It’s a simple Asian-style salad with sesame oil, soy sauce, fish sauce, and garlic.
If you decide to use a mandoline for your cuke salad adventures, be sure to use the guard that came with it so you don’t end up in the emergency room.
Recipe: I Am a Food Blog
2. Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
If you’re not interested in using a mandoline, try the fun and interesting technique in this recipe for slicing your cukes. It turns them into accordion-like spirals, and it’s easier than you think. Dress them with chili oil, rice vinegar, and sesame seeds.
Recipe: Christie at Home
3. Smoked Salmon Cucumber Jar
This is a recipe inspired directly by the Cucumber Guy. It’s everything you’d put on top of a lox bagel, just minus the bagel. Capers, dill, and everything bagel seasoning give it tons of flavor that’s great for brunch.
Recipe: Basics With Bails
4. Creamy Cucumber Salad
You may remember this old fashioned salad from your childhood because it’s been around for a long time. Cucumbers and red onions are dressed in a tangy sour cream sauce with dill and garlic. If it doesn’t taste quite like you remember it, try adding a little bit of sugar.
Recipe: Feel Good Foodie
5. Horiatiki
That cucumber, tomato, and feta salad you get at Greek restaurants? That’s horiatiki, and it’s everywhere in Greece. You just mix the fresh veggies together with a simple olive oil, acid, and oregano dressing, and top it with olives and feta. Feel free to use more cukes than the recipe calls for to make this a true cucumber salad.
Recipe: The Mediterranean Dish
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6. Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad
If you don’t even want to bother slicing your cucumbers, you don’t have to: Just smash them into pieces. It’s a popular way to prepare them in China, and it’s also a great way to remove some liquid and seeds. The dressing on this salad is tangy, salty, and sweet, and the cilantro is a great addition.
Recipe: The Woks of Life
7. Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad
This bright red, spicy banchan (that’s the name for all those little Korean side dishes like kimchi) is mouth-watering. Its color and deep flavor come from gochugaru, or Korean red pepper flakes, which you can find in many large supermarkets now. Onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil round this salad out.
Recipe: Maangchi
8. Shrimp Cucumber Salad
Diced shrimp and crunchy cucumbers are mixed into a mayo and sour cream-based dressing. Dijon mustard, dill, and lots of citrus give it a punch of flavor. Serve it over greens, on toast, or as a low-carb alternative to shrimp pasta salad.
Recipe: Downshiftology
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9. California Roll Cucumber Salad
Take all the components of a California sushi roll and throw them in a bowl, and you get this salad. Diced avocado, surimi (imitation crab), soy sauce, and spicy mayo all go into this one. The Cucumber Guy recommends eating it with nori.
Recipe: Cooks Well With Others
10. Vietnamese Cucumber Salad
Big, bold flavors are front and center in this Vietnamese-style salad. Fresh mint, peanuts, fish sauce, and lime are essential. Don’t be afraid to use Thai chiles or serranos in place of jalapeños if you prefer the salad hotter.
Recipe: Alexandra’s Kitchen
11. Spicy Lao Cucumber Salad
If you like the famous Thai papaya salad, you’ll love this Laotian version made with cucumbers instead of green papaya. It’s got fragrant ingredients like garlic, lime, and fish sauce, and you can make it as spicy (or not!) as you like.
Recipe: Hungry in Thailand
12. Spicy Peanut Noodles With Cucumber
This noodle salad starts with affordable ramen noodles. Mix up a rich-tasting peanut sauce with ginger, soy sauce, and chili garlic paste (or sriracha), and toss it all together with cucumbers and fresh herbs.
Recipe: A Beautiful Plate
13. Minty Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Watermelon and cucumber make an unlikely but delicious pair in this summery salad. Along with chopped green onions and mint, it gets dressed in a simple balsamic vinaigrette. It’d be a hit at any cookout.
Recipe: Taste of Home
14. Avocado Cucumber Salad
Soft, creamy avocado goes perfectly with crisp, juicy cucumber. Just chunk them up and coat them with a mayo-based dressing with lime and it’s a great side dish for Mexican or meat-heavy meals.
Recipe: Smitten Kitchen
15. Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad
Besides the namesake ingredients, this salad also includes lots of torn fresh basil and a simple red wine vinaigrette with garlic. Add some diced salami and mini fresh mozzarella balls if you want Italian sub vibes.
Recipe: The Clever Meal
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