Salads are a staple in Indian cuisine. And the urge to consume something fresh, juicy and refreshing is what makes them even more popular during summers. Can you guess the most popular ingredient? Of Course, it's cucumber. Being subtle in flavour makes it perfect for tossing with all sorts of seasonal summer produce like tomatoes. Especially if you're seeking something light to pair with those heavy dishes like chicken tandoori or shahi paneer or more, there's nothing better than cucumber salad. And the best part? They're a total win-win for your health.
We know cucumber salads are great, but aren't you tired of the same old, boring recipes? Just chill! This blog lists some of the yummiest cucumber salad recipes to relish. Scroll down, try these or create a fusion with your favourite ones.
Viral cucumber salad (Asian version)
Talking about cucumber salads, how can we skip the recipe that has taken the internet by storm? Ready to prepare the Viral cucumber salad recipe (Asian Version )? Smash and chop 2-3 cucumbers. For the dressing, you need 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, and a pinch of chilli flakes. Now, add everything into a jar. Secure the lid and give it a good shake. Take out the cucumber salad in a dish or a bowl, and don't forget to garnish it with toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro. Enjoy!
Viral cucumber salad (creamy version)
This cucumber salad is another recipe that went viral. Especially if you're someone who is not a fan of tangy, spicy salads, this cucumber salad is perfect for you with its mild, comforting flavour. Take a jar, add 2-3 sliced cucumbers ( using a mandolin ), 1/2 cup Greek yoghurt, 1-2 tbsp fresh cilantro, 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice, salt, pepper and honey, only if you want to add a bit of sweetness. Secure the lid and mix well. Chill for 15 minutes before serving for best results.
Minty watermelon cucumber salad
This cucumber salad recipe truly captures the flavours of summer thanks to those summer favourites — watermelon, mint and cucumber. Combine diced watermelon and cucumber in a bowl. Add some fresh mint leaves, crumbled feta ( only if you want) and a squeeze of lime juice. Drizzle the mixture with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Toss gently and you're done.
Tomato, red onion and cucumber salad
The combination of red onion and tomato with cucumber not only elevates the taste, that refreshing feel, but also makes it super healthy. You need to chop 2 tomatoes, 1/2 red onion, and 1 cucumber into tiny pieces. Now, toss it with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. This dressing works magic to brighten all the flavours.
Vegan quinoa salad
Seeking a meal that is light on one hand and satisfies the appetite on the other, Vegan Quinoa Salad can be the best cucumber salad for you. Cook 1/2 cup quinoa according to package directions. Let it cool down, then add 1/2 cup chopped cucumber, 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Now prepare a lemon-tahini dressing — 1 tbsp tahini, 1 tbsp lemon juice, water to thin, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over the mixture and it's ready to serve.
Chickpea cucumber salad
Chickpea Cucumber Salad can be the best cucumber salad for anyone seeking a light yet hearty meal. All you need is fresh cucumbers, boiled or canned chickpeas, feta, red onion and fresh dill. Drain and rinse 1 can of chickpeas ( if canned) or take 1 and ½ cups of boiled chickpeas. Dice 1-2 cucumbers and a small amount of red onion. Now, combine all these in a bowl. In the dressing, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, a pinch of salt, pepper, and fresh or dried dill. Add dressing over the salad and toss gently. You can end up adding crumbled feta cheese or cherry tomatoes, but it's completely optional.
Corn and cucumber salad
How to make cucumber salad that children would love to eat? It's simple! Add one of their favourite ingredients. Corn is always a good idea! Take a jar, add 1 cup of cooked corn( fresh or canned) and 1-2 diced cucumbers. Also pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, salt, pepper and some chopped cilantro. Secure the lid and shake, shake and shake! Take out the cucumber salad in a dish and serve.
Lemony lentil salad with feta
Want to add protein to your cucumber salad? Then, Lemony Lentil Salad with Feta would be the best cucumber salad for you. Start with cooking up 1 cup of green or brown lentils for about 15-20 minutes. Drain and cool. Now, take a bowl and combine cooked lentils with 1-2 diced cucumbers and a handful of crumbled feta cheese. To prepare a lemony dressing, whisk together olive oil, generous lemon juice, a pinch of salt, pepper, and fresh dill or parsley. Toss everything gently and you're done.
Tofu cucumber salad with spicy peanut dressing
Are you looking for a highly nutritious cucumber salad recipe? Tofu Cucumber Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing is a great option. Press extra-firm tofu to remove excess water, then cube and pan-fry or air-fry until golden. Chop 1-2 cucumbers. Now, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, a touch of honey/maple syrup, minced garlic, ginger, and sriracha/chilli-garlic sauce to make the desired dressing. Toss tofu and cucumber with dressing. You can also garnish this cucumber salad with chopped peanuts and cilantro to make it visually appealing.
Cucumber and avocado salad
Apart from being highly nutritious, Cucumber and Avocado Salad is among the easiest and quickest cucumber salads to make. Chop 1-2 cucumbers and 1-2 ripe avocados. In a bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1-2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice, salt, pepper, and dill or cilantro ( choose as per your preference). Toss the cucumber and avocado lightly in the dressing and enjoy!