Summer Cucumber Recipes to Cool Off this Season

Stay cool this summer with these cucumber salad recipes. 

We have been experiencing some serious southern California heat the last few weeks and I have the sweaty (glowing?) selfies to prove it. Heat waves roll in like a hot, humid fog and life becomes a little more, er, challenging. Want to go for an afternoon run outside? Forbidden. Feel like wearing your new long sleeve body suit? Don’t even think about it. Many hours are lost to lethargically – yet unavoidably – spacing out and you just can’t seem to shake the feeling that you are actually adding to the heat by radiating your own (hello top bun, goodbye makeup).

But one of the longest-standing challenges while riding out a heat wave is finding healthy and refreshing food options. Using the oven is NOT in the cards, a heavy menu is unappetizing, and you can only eat so many frozen grapes. So when running through dinner options, I focus on refreshing, light, and healthy foods. Enter cucumber, a summer staple. These hydrating bundles of vitamins are high in fiber, antioxidants, and potassium. They are known to reduce inflammation, strengthen bones, and revitalize skin. Cucumbers aid digestion and improve kidney function. So next time you’re fanning yourself in front of the open fridge, reach for a cucumber.

Below, find two of our favorite cucumber salad recipes. Enjoy!

Cucumber Quinoa and Garbanzo Bean Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups quinoa

1 cup diced unpeeled cucumber

1 can garbanzo beans

1.5 cups red and yellow cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup chopped fresh dill

1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar

4 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

cucumber

Cook quinoa in a large saucepan of boiled water until tender (approximately 10 minutes).

Drain and rinse with cool water. Transfer to a large bowl.

Add cucumber, beans, tomatoes, and dill to mixture.

Whisk vinegar and oil in small bowl and pour over mixture. Season with salt and pepper. (Add feta cheese if desired.)

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Cucumber Tomato and Avocado Salad

Ingredients:

1-2 cucumbers

1 avocado

1.5 cup cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley

Juice of fresh lemon

Salt and pepper

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Chop avocado, cucumbers, onion, and tomatoes into same-size small pieces and drizzle with lemon juice. Add to large bowl.

Whisk red wine vinegar and olive oil in small bowl. Pour over mixture.

Add chopped parsley and add salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently. (Add feta cheese if desired.)

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+What is your go-to recipe when the weather heats up? Please share in the comments. 

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7 years ago

I simply love cucumber salads, and I really like these versions. Definitely will try them!
https://www.makeandmess.com/

7 years ago

wow… fresh and healthy..

7 years ago

I like to enjoy an Italian pasta salad. It’s got yummy black olives, tomatoes, corn, pasta, cilantro, etc., (you can add/subtract ingredients). Drizzle on some balsamic vining ar or Italian dressing and serve cold.

I’m certainly going to try these cucumber salads this summer.

xx

Natasha
7 years ago

Your comments on the Southern Californian heat are too accurate! I find myself pulling my hair up in a bun too and wearing no makeup while sitting lethargically on my porch… These recipies sound fantastic and very easy. Thanks!