Trend watch: cucumber salads

You've probably noticed everyone on your social media feed slicing a cucumber with a mandolin and making cucumber salads. That's because, according to content creator Logan Moffitt, "Sometimes you just need to eat an entire cucumber." Moffit's easy and laid-back cooking videos have garnered tons of followers in the past few weeks due to his never-ending recipes using a whole cucumber.

@logagmBest way to eat an entire cucumber♬ original sound - Logan

The salads are simple and barely contain measurements. Followers watch as Logan pours oils, vinegars, spices and seasonings straight from the bottle or jar into an empty container filled to the brim with cucumber slices and shakes it up until every slice is coated. The trend emphasises simplicity, focusing on fresh, crisp cucumbers as the star of the dishes. Followers who have replicated his many salads often praise them for their light, clean flavours and health benefits.

Social media users have been sharing a wide range of cucumber salad recipes. Some are very basic, just cucumbers with a bit of vinegar, salt and pepper. Others are more elaborate, incorporating ingredients such as feta cheese, red onions, herbs (dill or mint) and various dressings, or using them as a base for more substantial dishes by adding proteins such as grilled chicken or tofu.

After the endless feasting that people in the northern hemisphere enjoyed during the warmer months, perhaps this trend reflects a broader interest in healthy eating and easy-to-make dishes. If you want to hop onto the trend, here's how we do it at TASTE:

Cucumber salad with amasi raita

This refreshing salad is great on its own or as part of a spicy feast. Raita is typically made with thick, plain yoghurt, but this recipe keeps it local with amasi. Instead of adding the cucumber to the raita, this recipe makes it the star of the dish with the creamy element acting as a dressing.

Get the recipe for cucumber salad with amasi raita here.

Cucumber salad with chilli oil

Cucumber salad with chilli oil is a flavour sensation. The crisp, cool cucumbers pair perfectly with the rich, spicy kick of chilli oil, creating a balance of refreshment and boldness. You can adjust the chilli oil to suit your spice preference, making it as mild or fiery as you like. This salad is a fantastic way to elevate a simple dish with minimal effort, adding a punch of flavour that will impress your taste buds.

Get the recipe for cucumber salad with chilli oil here. 

Cucumber salad

This cucumber salad combines crisp cucumber slices with brined celery and punchy ginger with a tangy dressing made using white wine vinegar, olive oil and a touch of Dijon mustard. The salad is enhanced by a hint of sugar and freshly chopped dill, creating a delightful balance of sweet and sour. Easy to prepare, it’s a vibrant, flavourful addition to your table that complements a wide range of dishes, making it a versatile favourite.

Get the recipe for cucumber salad here. 

Soya-pickled cucumber

If you're looking to elevate your cucumber salad game with a bit of Asian-inspired flair, this is the one to make! It delivers a delightfully tangy, umami twist on a classic side dish. Cucumber slices are marinated in a mixture of soya sauce, rice vinegar and sugar to create a savoury and slightly sweet pickle with a punch of flavour.

Get the recipe for soya-pickled cucumber here.

Green salad with cucumber-seed dressing

This green salad with cucumber seed dressing is a refreshing and flavourful addition to any meal. It combines crisp greens, cucumber and avocado with a creamy, tangy dressing made from cucumber seeds, yoghurt and a touch of lemon. The unique dressing adds a nutty twist to the fresh vegetables.

Get the recipe for green salad with cucumber-seed dressing here.