Elevate your traditional meals with a burst of citrusy freshness courtesy of lemon cucumbers! These diminutive, rounded wonders may not be as widely available as their more common counterparts, but they boast a flavor profile that’s equal to the task. As they gain traction in our culinary repertoire, we’re thrilled by their unique taste and visual appeal.
What Are Lemon Cucumbers
Some might know them as lemon pepper cucumbers, but their flavor profile is a far cry from the citrusy zing of lemons. Despite sharing a similar shape and color, these unique cucumbers have a milder taste more akin to regular cucumbers. Their versatility makes them an excellent addition to salads, pickling, and even substituting for traditional cucumbers in recipes.
If you’re looking to impress your guests, lemon cucumbers’ striking color and uncommon nature make them the perfect ingredient to surprise. When selecting these gems, opt for the lighter yellow ones, which are younger, tender, and sweeter. The darker variety can result in tough skin and a bitter taste if not picked at the right moment. With their unique characteristics and endless possibilities, it’s no wonder they’re gaining popularity as a favorite among food enthusiasts.
Lemon Cucumber & Pesto
Lemon cucumbers are an ideal snacking option due to their compact size, offering a refreshing and satisfying bite. For a burst of flavor, try pairing them with a homemade pesto sauce. To craft this tangy condiment, you can choose from two methods: blending ingredients in a food processor or embracing the traditional approach using a mortar and pestle. Add a pinch of salt, pepper, and chili flakes to the pesto for an added depth of flavor before drizzling it over the lemon cucumber slices.
For an alternate blender-based pesto recipe, explore our Blendjet guide. Excess pesto sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for future use, allowing you to enjoy these tasty treats at a moment’s notice. This way, you’ll always have a delicious and convenient snacking option ready to go.
Pickled Lemon Cucumber Slices
If you’ve got leftover lemon cucumbers or simply love pickles, I recommend trying out this simple recipe for Pickled Lemon Cucumber Slices. It’s incredibly easy, even for those new to the world of canning! To take it to the next level, add some aromatic garlic, dill seed, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to give your pickles an extra boost of flavor. Simply combine boiling water, vinegar, salt, and the spices with your cucumbers in a jar to create the perfect pickling brine.
For optimal results, allow it to sit for a few weeks, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully and resulting in a deliciously salty and tangy treat.
Easy Lemon Cucumber Salad
Combining the sweet and juicy flavor of lemon cucumbers with the pungency of red onion, crunch of mint leaves, and nutty taste of almond nuts creates a harmonious blend that elevates this salad recipe. This straightforward preparation process makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a quick and effortless meal solution.
By simply slicing the lemon cucumbers and red onion, adding fresh mint leaves and toasted almond nuts, you’ll be presented with a visually appealing dish that’s further enhanced by a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Lebanese Lemon Cucumber Salad
Elevate your salad game with a refreshing twist from the Middle East! This Lebanese Lemon Cucumber Salad is an exciting combination of spices, textures, and temperatures. The zesty lemon and cool cucumber will have your taste buds doing a delightful dance, while the optional addition of red chili paste adds a spicy kick. To take it to the next level, add some creamy yogurt and fresh mint leaves for a harmonious balance of hot and cold flavors.
Pair this salad with grilled chicken for a creative deconstructed kebab experience!
Lemon Cucumber + Heirloom Tomato Salad
Indulge in the revitalizing flavors of this Lemon Cucumber + Heirloom Tomato Salad, a refreshing and delectable treat that’s perfect for any occasion. The luscious sweetness of heirloom tomatoes harmonizes beautifully with the subtle tanginess of lemon cucumbers. Enhanced by the natural sweetness of corn and the oniony zest of chopped chives, this salad is an absolute delight to the palate.
A drizzle of rich balsamic vinaigrette brings everything together in a culinary symphony that will leave you craving more. Try it out today!
Lemon Cucumber Salad With Cherry Tomatoes
While heirloom tomatoes might not be accessible to everyone, this refreshing lemon cucumber salad recipe using cherry tomatoes is the perfect solution. The combination of oregano, green onions, and lemon juice creates a flavorful and visually appealing dish that’s surprisingly easy to prepare. Simply combine all the ingredients and toss – you can’t go wrong! Feel free to adjust with salt and pepper to taste, although it’s already quite delicious on its own. And the best part?
Lemon cucumbers are a great substitute for regular cucumbers in many recipes. Here are some of our favorite dishes where you can easily swap out regular cucumbers for their citrusy counterparts.
Creamy German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat)
Gurkensalat is a delectable German cucumber salad that’s not only healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and free from oil, but also incredibly flavorful. Its ease of preparation is matched only by its addictive nature – we’re confident you’ll be hooked, just like we are. To ensure the dish remains vegan, opt for dairy-free yogurts like almond or soy-based alternatives. The creamy texture not only elevates the flavor profile but also provides a probiotic boost when using yogurt.
While omitting the yogurt or sour cream and instead opting for a light dressing of olive oil and vinegar is an option, we firmly believe that the creamy version is the way to go.
Asian Cucumber Salad
While cucumbers are renowned for their refreshing lightness, there’s a time and place for something more substantial. That’s where this Asian Cucumber Salad comes in – it’s a flavor-packed twist on the classic that combines sweet, savory, and spicy notes. As an appetizer, it does wonders to stimulate your appetite before the main event. The tanginess of apple cider vinegar plays a key role in getting things started, while the garlic and sesame oil add depth and a pleasant aroma.
Don’t be afraid to adjust the chili powder and chili oil to suit your desired level of heat – after all, spice is subjective!
Vietnamese Cucumber Salad
In the realm of Vietnamese cuisine, the harmonious union of peanuts, mint, and cilantro is a staple component. This trifecta of flavors and textures defines many traditional dishes from Vietnam, imbuing them with a unique essence that sets them apart. When paired with fish sauce and lime juice, this classic combination becomes an authentic representation of Vietnamese culinary culture.
What’s more, this refreshing salad is not only delectable but also incredibly easy to prepare, making it an ideal choice for a quick and satisfying meal.
Greek Cucumber Salad
Indulge in the refreshing flavors of this Greek Cucumber Salad, expertly crafted with a medley of cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and Kalamata olives. This side dish is a perfect accompaniment to heartier main courses like our iconic Legendary Wagyu Steak. Not only does it pair well with a variety of dishes, but it’s also accommodating for various dietary needs, including being gluten-free, vegan-friendly, soy-free, and fitting seamlessly into Paleo and Whole30 diets.
We’re confident you’ll fall in love with its invigorating taste! Go ahead and try this recipe out. In the spirit of simplicity and convenience, we’ve developed our own quick and easy lemon cucumber pickles recipe at Glorious Recipes. The result is a scrumptious treat that’s hard to resist, even when waiting a few weeks isn’t an issue. This fuss-free process requires minimal effort, yielding two delightful servings in just 5 minutes.
Prep your lemon cucumbers right in the refrigerator for a stress-free pickling experience. Our recipe ensures you can enjoy those luscious, juicy lemon cucumbers as soon as possible.
Instructions
To create the brine, combine water, vinegar, salt, and sugar in a bowl, stirring until all the ingredients are fully dissolved. Next, add the lemon cucumbers and onions to the brine, ensuring they’re completely submerged. Finally, refrigerate the mixture, allowing it to soak for an extended period of time – ideally overnight – for maximum absorption and flavor. Alternatively, you can enjoy the pickled delights on the same day, but be aware that the flavors may not be as intense.
Notes
You have the flexibility to customize this recipe by substituting the white vinegar with another type of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar. Similarly, you can swap out the lemon cucumbers for regular cucumbers if that’s what you prefer. As for storage, these pickles will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator, but they may lose some crispness over time. In terms of nutritional information, this recipe yields 2 servings per batch.
Here’s an estimate of the nutrition facts: Calories: 79, Total Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Trans Fat: 0g, Unsaturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 6988mg, Carbohydrates: 18g, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 15g, Protein: 1g. Please note that this nutrition information is only an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients you use.
