15 Easy Cucumber Lunch Recipes Made With 5 Ingredients or Less
These 15 easy cucumber lunch recipes are fresh, fast, and made with 5 ingredients or less! You’ll find salads, sandwiches, and even some high protein lunch ideas. Perfect for lunchboxes, summer BBQs, and picnics!
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This summer, I’m finding myself craving cucumbers! I usually make tons of dishes with yellow squash every summer – like this summer squash feta pasta bake – but cucumber has been a new summer favorite for me this year.
Cucumbers are like the unsung heroes of the summer. They’re so light and refreshing especially on hot days, but they’re also so dang versatile! You can plop them in sandwiches, make salads from them, and even top them with protein for low-carb meals.
I also love cucumbers because they are usually pretty cheap, meaning that you can make a lot of great budget-friendly recipes using just a cucumber or two.
Kids also seem to love cucumbers! They easy to grab, easy to dip, and also have a milder taste that most kids don’t mind.
In this post, I’ve rounded up 15 super simple cucumber recipes using 5 ingredients or less that are perfect for last-minute gatherings, summer BBQs, cookouts, or just a quick weekend snack or lunch.
If you like this post, make sure to check out my roundup of 25 school lunch ideas for even more quick & easy lunch inspo! I also did a summer roundup of 12 peach recipes that are made with 5 ingredients or less, so check that out for more recipes for that leftover summer produce.
Nutritional Benefits of Cucumbers
Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your own doctor or your child’s pediatrician before making any changes to your diet or your child’s diet/feeding approach. Read the full disclaimer here.
Cucumbers actually pack quite a nutrition punch! Sure, they’re not talked about as much as spinach or kale, but there’s actually a good bit of vitamins packed in them.
- Hydration – most people will agree that cucumbers are quite refreshing and cooling. Cucumbers hold a lot of water, so they’re great for staying hydrated in the summer. In fact, some sources say that cucumbers are made up of about 95% water!
- Vitamin K – important for blood clotting and bone health—both important for growing kiddos!
- Vitamin C – while not as high as citrus fruits, cucumbers still contain a bit of vitamin C, which helps support a healthy immune system
- Fiber – the skin of a cucumber contains some fiber which can help support good digestion
Notes & Suggestions for Making Cucumber Recipes
- Fresh cucumbers are best and cheapest. In fact, I don’t think they even sell frozen bags of cucumbers? Because of their high water content, freezing and thawing isn’t a good idea because they will become soggy and mushy
- English cucumbers and Persian cucumbers tend to have thinner skins and fewer seeds, making them ideal for kids
- I don’t recommend raw cucumbers for kids under 18 months of age because it can be a potential choking hazard
- Eat cucumber-based recipes within a day or two because leftovers can get soggy or mushy
Helpful tools & gadgets for prepping cucumbers:
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Cucumber Salad Recipes
1. Creamy Cucumber Salad
Image source + credit: Our Salty Kitchen
First up – the classic creamy cucumber salad! This recipe is made with just a few simple ingredients and tastes divine. I think this would be great for a backyard summer party, to bring to a cookout, or even for a quick side dish with dinner.
2. Chinese Cucumber Salad
Image source + credit: What Great Grandma Ate
This is a delicious, healthy recipe for those who like their salads to have a bold punch of flavor. Made with simple Asian pantry staples, this salad comes together in minutes. It’s crispy, delicious, and makes an easy lunch idea for busy weeks.
3. Cucumber Tomato Salad
Image source + credit: Kristine’s Kitchen
If you’re looking for a bright and refreshing salad recipe this summer, you gotta add this one to your list. Just look at how beautiful it is! It’s made with a simple dressing using just a few pantry staples. Just mix it with the veggies and you got yourself a delicious salad to eat for lunch or bring to your next BBQ!
4. Lemony Cucumber Couscous Salad
Image source + credit: Budget Bytes
I love grain salads because of how filling, yet light, they are. I’m also a big fan of couscous rather than quinoa, so this recipe is right up my alley! This is a great way to combine cucumbers and lemon into a yummy grain salad that’s a delicious lunch idea or dinner side dish for the warmer summer months.
5. Cucumber Pasta Salad (Vegan)
Image source + credit: Eat Something Vegan
Here’s another easy cucumber pasta salad recipe that’s made with just 5 ingredients. Plus, this pasta salad is vegan! This incredibly simple recipe makes a nice cold lunch idea but also is a great dish to bring to summer BBQs and gatherings.
6. Tuna Cucumber Salad
Image source + credit: Cooking LSL
The biggest reason I love 5 ingredient recipes is because of their sheer simplicity. This is an incredibly simple, easy, yet flavorful & healthy lunch idea that you can whip up in minutes with just a few ingredients. Perfect for when you’re in a rush to make lunch!
Cucumber Sandwich & Roll Recipes
7. Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich Rolls
Image source + credit: Christina’s Cucina
Rollups are such a fun, easy lunch idea for kids’ lunchboxes! These cucumber and cream cheese sandwich rolls are made using just 3 ingredients and are incredibly easy to make. You can also bring them to parties as a snack that everyone will love.
8. High-Protein Cucumber Sandwiches (Vegan)
Image source + credit: Plant Based Jess
How cute are these little cucumber cream cheese sandwiches?! Bring them for lunch or for a tea party with your besties! As a bonus, they’re high protein and quite filling.
9. Everything Bagel Cucumber Pinwheels
Image source + credit: Bake Your Day Better
Looking for a low-carb, high protein recipe for lunch? These rollups are made with salmon and cream cheese that are rolled inside cucumber strips – no bread or tortilla needed! Delicious, filling, and healthy!
10. Cucumber & Chutney Sandwiches
Image source + credit: Vege Home Cooking
For all my Indian food lovers out there, add these cucumber and chutney sandwiches to your Pinterest board ASAP! It’s such a fun and yummy twist on a cucumber sandwich. Plus, it’s made with just a few ingredients so it’s easy for anyone to make!
More Cucumber Recipes
11. Everything Bagel Cucumber Bites
Image source + credit: Running in a Skirt
You guys know I am obsessed with everything bagel seasoning. It just elevates everything. This recipe just needs 4 ingredients, is incredibly easy to make. I think these will make a quick, easy snack or even a cute appetizer to bring to a summer party! If you love everything bagel seasoning as much as I do, check out my everything greek yogurt bagel bites!
12. Cucumber Boats
Image source + credit: Lemon Tree Dwelling
These cucumber boats are a crunchy treat that are low-carb and an easy lunch idea for those following a keto diet. They’re also no-cook, refreshing, and bursting with flavor!
13. Chicken Salad Cucumber Bites
Image source + credit: Living Well Kitchen
I love recipes like this that are so ridiculously easy, but absolute genius! These 2-ingredient cucumber bites are quite literally the perfect snack, appetizer, or side dish that you can whip up in minutes. Perfect for a last-minute gathering or as an after school snack!
14. Cottage Cheese Cucumber Rice Cakes
Image source + credit: Maddy’s Clean Eats
These cottage cheese rice cakes are full of protein and low on carbs. Topped with crunchy cucumber slices, they make a super easy and quick lunch or breakfast idea to keep you full for hours.
15. Cucumber Feta Watermelon Skewers
Image source + credit: The Purple Pumpkin Blog
These cucumber watermelon feta skewers make a refreshing side dish for lunch or dinner! They’re also great for bringing to parties, gatherings, or as snacks for kids (as long as they’re careful with the sticks!). It’s a delicious and healthy combination that’s perfect for the warm summer season.
I hope you enjoyed this monthly seasonal recipe-roundup featuring 15 Easy Cucumber Lunch Recipes!
If you plan on making one of these recipes, don’t forget to save this post to Pinterest so you have it bookmarked for later!
🥕 More 5-Ingredient Recipe Roundups
- 20 Creamy Soup Recipes
- 25 Christmas Appetizers
- 27 Game Day Recipes
- 25 High Protein Crockpot Dinners
- 15 High-Protein Smoothie Recipes
- 25 School Lunch Ideas
- 25 Thanksgiving & Holiday Side Dishes
- 20 Valentine’s Day Dinners
- 22 Valentine’s Day Treats
Don’t forget to save this recipe roundup for later!
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