25 Ways to Use Up Excess Cucumbers

Got a cornucopia of cukes from your garden this year? Try some of these ways to use up excess cucumbers!

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“Plant extra cucumbers this year, Lisa. You have the seeds, so you might as well!”

This is what I told myself as we were planning our garden this year. Several of our veggies did not fare well last year, so we compensated for the possibility of repeated failure by planting extra. Of everything.

It seemed like sound wisdom back in May… 🤪

I’m kidding. (Mostly.) An overabundant garden is always something to celebrate, so I’m definitely not complaining!

It does, however, mean I’m up to my eyeballs in cucumbers right now. So, I’m searching and experimenting with ALL the ways one can possibly use up excess cucumbers.

I turn a lot into pickles and relish (which is one reason we plant so many – you need a lot to come on at once), but I also pick up a few ideas every year of new things to try.

If you also have an abundant harvest on your hands, here are 25 things to do with lots of cucumbers.

25 Ways to Use Up Excess Cucumbers

Got a cornucopia of cukes? Try some of these ways to use up excess cucumbers!

**Note: I should preface this list by saying that we are not picky eaters. And I’m basically not afraid to try anything at this point. (Same with our zucchini!) I figure, if we have them, why not get everything we can out of them?? So, a few things towards the end of the list may sound odd (or even a little gross) to you – I was surprised by some of them, too! But if you have cucumbers coming out of your ears, get brave and give them a try!

Pickles & Pickle Relish — If you’re not into canning, that post also has a refrigerator pickle option, or you could try freezer pickles! (Tip: for crisper pickles, use these Pickle Crisp granules!)
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Vinegar Cucumber Salad
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Cucumber Quinoa Salad
Asian Cucumber Salad
Tuna Salad with Avocado and Cucumbers
Tzatziki Dip
Cucumber & Dill Dip
Infused water — We LOVE drinking cucumber water throughout the summer. For an extra special twist, you could try cucumber water with sliced fruit, cucumber water with fresh mint leaves, or cucumber water with lemon. (Tip: Get one of these glass infuser pitchers)
Cucumber Sandwiches
Cucumber Rolls
Cucumber Boats – such as this one with tuna salad
Cold Cucumber Soup
Fried cucumbers
Cucumber Bread — Yes, you read that right – cucumber bread. Like zucchini bread… only with cucumbers.
Cucumber “Chips”— Here’s a great dehydrator, if you need one!
Sprinkle with Tajin seasoning for a Mexican cucumber snack — a friend recommended this to me, and we love it!
Everything Bagel Cucumber Bites — Sprinkle cucumber slices with Everything Bagel Seasoning
Smoothies — Such as this Easy Cucumber Smoothie, this Creamy Pineapple Cucumber Smoothie, or this Strawberry Banana Cucumber Smoothie. (If you need a great blender, here’s what we have — I love it!)
Homemade Popsicles — Here’s a recipe for Watermelon Cucumber Popsicles and one for Cucumber Mint & Lime Popsicles that you can make in popsicle molds
Mocktails – such as this Cucumber Mojito Mocktail
Cucumber Mousse & Dill Shrimp Bites
Did you know you can cook them? — I had NEVER thought to cook cucumbers, but here’s a recipe for Stir-Fried Cucumbers
And… surprise! … you can freeze them!! Use the thawed cucumbers for dips, smoothies, soups, infused water, or a few of the other items in this list.