Cucumber Facts

Learn fun cucumber facts, how cucumbers grow, how to choose and use them, and easy cucumber recipes kids can help make. This page includes tuna cucumber salad bowls and a simple tzatziki cucumber sauce.

Cucumber food facts picture of a cucumber on the vine

Fun Cucumber Facts

Fresh cucumbers are available in summertime.
Cucumbers grow on a vine along the ground.
They are planted from seed.
Some cucumbers are long and slender while others are shorter and rounder.
Cucumbers can be used in salads, pickles, sauces, garnishes, and side dishes.

How Cucumbers Grow, Buying Tips, and Storage

When Cucumbers Are Available

Fresh cucumbers are available in summertime.

How Cucumbers Grow

Cucumbers are planted from seed and grow on a vine along the ground in the garden.

What to Look for When Buying Cucumbers

Pick cucumbers that are firm and green in color. Avoid cucumbers that are soft or have nicks or cracks. Some varieties are long and slender and some are short and round.

Storage Tips

Store cucumbers in the fridge.

Kid Tip: Cucumbers are fun to compare because some are smooth, some are bumpy, and some are best for slicing while others are best for pickling.

How to Prepare Cucumbers

Wash the cucumber well.
Slice it for salads or cut it in half lengthwise for bowls or boats.
Remove the seeds or inside flesh if needed.
Use cucumbers in salads, pickles, garnishes, side dishes, or sauces.

Cooking Tip: Cucumbers are usually eaten fresh, which makes them an easy ingredient for kids to help prepare.

Mini Activity

Explore a Cucumber

Cut a cucumber in half and look at the seeds inside.
Feel the outside skin and the inside flesh.
Taste one slice peeled and one slice unpeeled.
Talk about how the texture and taste change.

This is a simple way to help kids notice how one vegetable can have different textures in one bite.

Cucumber Nutrition Facts

Cucumbers are a source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. They are low in calories and are helpful for digestion.

Cucumbers are a source of vitamin A.
They also provide vitamin C.
They contain calcium and potassium.
Cucumbers are low in calories.

More Food Fact Resources

Recipes

Tuna Cucumber Salad Bowls

These cucumber salad bowls are filled with a tuna mixture and make a cool, crisp lunch or picnic idea.

Ingredients

3 large cucumbers
1 (6 oz) can tuna in water, drained well
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped fine
1 tablespoon sweet onion, chopped fine
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons relish
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

Cut the cucumbers in half lengthwise.
Remove the seeds and trim the bottom so the cucumbers sit flat.
Place the tuna, eggs, celery, and onion into a large mixing bowl and stir slightly to break up the tuna.
Add the mayonnaise and relish and stir until slightly smooth.
Pour in the lemon juice and sprinkle in the pepper.
Stir to mix well.
Sprinkle in the cheese and continue stirring until all the ingredients are combined.
Fill each cucumber half with the tuna mixture.

Kid Cooking Tip: Kids can help scoop out the cucumber centers, stir the filling, and spoon it into the cucumber halves.

Recipe Notes:

These cucumber boats can also be filled with egg salad, chicken salad, or ham salad.
They make a fun picnic or lunch idea.

Tzatziki Cucumber Sauce

This cool cucumber sauce is great with gyros, wraps, pita, and fresh vegetables.

Ingredients

1 cucumber, grated or finely chopped
1 cup plain yogurt
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Wash the cucumber and grate or finely chop it.
Squeeze out extra liquid if needed.
In a bowl, stir together the cucumber, yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Chill until ready to serve.
Serve with gyros, wraps, pita bread, or fresh vegetables.

Kid Cooking Tip: Kids can help stir the sauce and taste it before chilling.

Recipe Notes:

This is a simple cucumber sauce inspired by Greek-style meals.
Serve it as a dip or as a topping for wraps and sandwiches.

More Cucumber Ideas

Cucumber Cups

Cut out the middle and fill cucumber cups with dip, cheese, or salad.

Cucumber Feta Cups

Try another cucumber cup idea with cheese.

Greek Gyros

Use cucumber sauce in a gyro-style meal.

Cucumber Boats Theme

Turn cucumber boats into a transportation theme dinner idea.

Cucumber Cups

Peel and cut a cucumber in quarters or halves. Use a knife to cut out the insides, leaving a shell and the bottom intact. Fill the cucumber cup with dip, cheese, chicken salad, or another filling you like.