Mini Cucumbers on Keto: Delicious, Low-Carb Recipes and Ideas

Cucumbers are a refreshing and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. With their low carb content and high water content, cucumbers are a great choice for people following a ketogenic diet. This article explores the many ways to incorporate mini cucumbers into your keto lifestyle, with recipes and creative serving suggestions for any occasion.

Are Cucumbers Keto-Friendly?

Yes! Cucumbers are very keto-friendly. They contain loads of vitamins and nutrients and are wonderfully low in carbs. They also contain very few calories. Cucumbers are also 96% water, which makes them ideal for weight loss. Their high water content also makes them easy to eat. A single cup of raw, sliced cucumber contains only 1.5 net carbs. Not only are they low in carbs, they’re mostly just water. About 95% water to be exact. Cucumbers are also rich in essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. It’s important to note that the majority of beneficial nutrients in cucumbers are found in the skin. They also contain antioxidants, are a good source of fiber, and are beneficial to digestive health.

Keto Cucumber Bites with Tuna

These delicious keto cucumber bites with tuna are best served fresh and make an easy appetizer or fun snack. This healthy snack is a great addition to your light lunches and backyard bbq. Turn these keto cucumber bites into cucumber cups by slicing the cucumbers into 1-inch sizes.

Ingredients:

• Cucumber: I used a medium-sized English cucumber for this recipe, but you can use regular cucumbers or any type of cucumber.
• Mayonnaise: For this recipe, I use my homemade keto mayonnaise. This way, I can be sure that I'm not mistakenly eating extra carbs or harmful additives. It tastes no different from regular mayo and takes only a few minutes to prepare.
• Spices: Smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
• Garnish (optional): Parsely and red pepper flakes.

Instructions:

1. Thoroughly wash the cucumber under running water.
2. Mix all other ingredients and spices in a mixing bowl, except the garnish.
3. If you absolutely must store them, put the cucumber tuna bites in the fridge in an airtight container for no longer than a day.
4. You can mix all the ingredients and spices in a sealable bag instead of a small bowl.
5. For even more flavor, throw the tuna, the rest of the ingredients, and spices into the ziplock bag. Then allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for about two hours before placing on the cucumber discs and serving.
6. Entice your guests and family with a variety of tastes and flavors. Add fresh veggies to your cucumber tuna rounds. Use leftover shrimps, blackened shrimp, or air fryer shrimp to make delicious shrimp cucumber bites. Make bagel cucumber bites by adding bagel seasoning to cucumber slices.

Spiralized Cucumber Salad with Chili Crisp

This spiralized cucumber salad offers a refreshing and flavorful experience with a touch of heat. The combination of fresh cucumbers, scallions, and a tangy chili crisp dressing makes it a perfect side dish for any keto meal.

Ingredients:

• 6 miniature (65g each) fresh cucumbers
• 2 tablespoons sliced fresh scallions, tops & bulb
• 1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon unseasoned, unsweetened rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sugar free maple flavor syrup
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Sichuan Chili Crisp (Fly by Jing brand)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 3/4 teaspoon fresh garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried sesame seeds, whole

Instructions:

1. Wash and slice off ends off cucumbers.
2. To cut mini cucumbers into spirals, place a cucumber between two chop sticks you don’t mind getting nicks on. Slice diagonally every ¼-inch, stopping at the chop sticks so you are not cutting completely through the cucumber. Rotate so the cut side of the cucumber is facing down, place back between the chop sticks, and cut ¼-inch vertical slices (not at a diagonal) stopping at the chop sticks.
3. Slice each spiralized cucumber in half.
4. Into a medium bowl, place spiralized cucumbers and toss with thinly sliced white and green portions of scallions. Set aside.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together tamari, unsweetened rice vinegar, sugar free maple syrup, no sugar added chili crisp, sesame oil, and minced or pressed garlic.
6. Pour over cucumbers and toss to fully coat.
7. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

Keto Cucumber Boats

Cucumber Boats make the perfect little snack! They’re low carb, keto-friendly, and packed with amazing flavor.

Read also: Mini Sweet Peppers and Weight Loss

Ingredients:

• Cucumbers - I used three mini cucumbers in this recipe. Since cucumbers act as the base, be sure you choose wisely! Look for cucumbers that are bright green in color and firm to the touch.
• Cream cheese - 4 ounces of cream cheese forms the deliciously creamy filling in these cucumber boats.
• Seasonings - I used a simple combination of garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to flavor the cream cheese filling.
• Bacon - Bacon adds delicious flavor and a crispy texture to this recipe. I used 3 pieces of bacon, cooked extra crispy and crumbled finely.
• Chives - Fresh chives are the perfect finishing touch and add delicious oniony flavor to the recipe.

Instructions:

1. Cook the bacon until crispy on the stovetop or using my Oven Bacon recipe. Set aside to cool, then crumble finely.
2. Wash and dry the cucumbers. Cut them in half lengthwise.Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds, then pat the insides dry with a paper towel.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
4. Assemble. I used mini cucumbers, also known as Persian cucumbers. These are my favorite because of the small size, fresh flavor, and crunchy texture.

Cucumber Boats can be prepped in advance and also keep well in the fridge for 1-2 days. To prep in advance, mix up the cream cheese filling and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Cook and crumble the bacon, then reheat briefly just before assembling. For best results, wait to cut and de-seed the cucumbers until just before assembling.

Creamy Cucumber Salad

This might just be the best cucumber salad we’ve ever made here at FFF. It’s creamy, fresh, just a little tangy, and absolutely foolproof to prepare. Plus, it’s low-carb, low-calorie, and super easy to tweak, making it a crowd-pleaser for almost any diet. If you leave the peels on, as we do in this recipe, you’ll get even more vitamins and minerals, including more fiber. The sour cream also adds a nice dose of protein and calcium to the overall nutrition profile of the dish, making it every bit as satisfying as it is healthy.

Variations:

• Instead of white onions, add thinly sliced red onions or scallions for a touch of color and a slightly milder flavor.
• To add texture, sprinkle in some chopped pistachios, pecans, or slivered almonds.
• Briny accents like pickled onions, chopped olives, red peppers (from a jar), or capers can provide a sharp, tangy contrast that keeps each bite interesting.
• Adding extra herbs is always a good idea. Parsley, chervil, chives, and mint will work very well in this salad.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Serve your cucumber salad alongside a hearty Avocado Burger or Black Bean Burger. Mix all the ingredients up to the cucumber together in a large bowl. Add in the cucumber and onions and stir to coat.

Keto Cucumber Onion Salad

This Keto Cucumber Onion Salad is simple, fresh, and full of tangy-sweet flavor. Pickling Cucumbers are the best choice for this salad! They soak up the vinegar dressing without getting soggy. I love them because of the crunch! Red Onion adds a pop of color, a mild sweetness, and thinly sliced for that signature bite! Vinegar keeps it classic, apple cider vinegar adds a mellow sweetness, and red wine vinegar gives a richer tang. A powdered keto-friendly sweetener like monk fruit, erythritol, or allulose for the smoothest dressing to balance the acidity just like traditional sugar.

Instructions:

1. Wash and dry the cucumbers, then slice them into thin even rounds. The thinner, the better for soaking up that tangy dressing!
2. Slice the red onion into thin rings or strips. I like to use a mandolin slicer. Tip: If raw onion is a little too strong for your taste, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, keto-friendly sweetener, salt, and pepper until everything dissolves. Give it a little taste. Want it tangier? Add a splash more vinegar. Need a touch more sweetness? Stir in a bit more sweetener. Tip: If you’re using a granulated sweetener, let the dressing sit for a couple of minutes so it dissolves completely.
4. In a large bowl, toss the sliced cucumbers and onions together.
5. Pop the bowl in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to an hour. The longer it sits, the better it tastes! If you can, make it ahead of time-it’s even more flavorful the next day.

Tips:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• Avoid freezing - Cucumbers don’t hold up well in the freezer.
• This salad is best when made at least 30 minutes ahead so the flavors have time to develop. Now, in our house we eat it immediately because it is too good to let it sit.
• For extra crunch, slice the cucumbers and onions ahead of time and store them separately.

Variations:

• Tweak it to your taste - Love a stronger tang? Add more vinegar. Want it a little sweeter? Want to switch things up? No problem!
• Prefer a creamier cucumber salad? Try my Cucumber Avocado Salad!
• Toss in some thinly sliced radishes or chopped celery.
• Toss in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or add a few thin slices of jalapeño for a little heat. My family loves to add thinly sliced fresh jalapeños.

Greek Cucumber Salad

This Greek Cucumber Salad is light and refreshing with big flavors thanks to that tangy homemade Greek dressing! Our keto Greek salad is loaded with fresh vegetables like crisp cucumbers and juicy tomatoes, kalamata olives, and feta cheese and has a short prep time for busy nights!

Read also: Can Frosted Mini-Wheats Help You Lose Weight?

Ingredients:

• Veggies - This recipe is all about the fresh veggies!
• Feta Cheese - You can purchase feta crumbles or buy a block and crumble it yourself.
• Olive Oil - You’re going to want the good stuff!
• Lemon Juice - We squeeze fresh lemons for the biggest flavor boost.

Dressing:

To prepare the dressing, you’ll want to whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Instructions:

1. Chop - This recipe starts out with a pile of veggies, so grab a cutting board and a good knife. Slice 1 English cucumber in half and then into small pieces, to form half moon shapes. Halve your cherry tomatoes, slice thin slivers of red onion, and dice up a bell pepper.
2. Serve - Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to combine. We like this salad best cold from the fridge, so we usually make this an hour or two in advance. This also allows the veggies to soak up that delicious dressing and really get flavorful.

Tips:

• The prepared salad will keep in the fridge for about 4 to 5 days depending on the freshness of the vegetables.
• The skin of a cucumber contains the majority of the nutrients. Peeling them leaves you with mostly water. That’s fine if you prefer them that way! We recommend using English cucumbers, because they have thin peels that are not too bitter.
• This keto Greek salad will last nicely in the fridge for 4-5 days, depending on how fresh the vegetables were when making the salad. Store this tightly covered in the refrigerator.
• Yes, this Greek salad dressing will keep well in the refrigerator for up to a few days. Preferably in something sealed like a mason jar! This homemade dressing is great on lots of salads, and even works well as marinade for meat!

Instructions:

1. For the Greek Salad: Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise and then into 1/2 inch thick pieces. Add the cucumber to a mixing bowl along with the diced peppers, cherry tomatoes, sliced onion, olives, and feta cheese.
2. For the Greek salad dressing: Whisk together all of the ingredients for the dressing and taste for flavor. This Greek salad dressing is on the tangy side, so feel free to reduce the amount of vinegar or lemon to suit your own personal taste. We prefer English cucumbers in this recipe, but any variety should be fine. You may consider peeling thicker skinned cucumbers.

What Can You Top Cucumbers With?

You can top crunchy cucumbers with almost anything you choose to make healthy cucumber appetizers. If you don't feel like turning on the fire, any leftover meat or chicken will do nicely. Apart from tuna, you can use nuts, sliced cherry tomatoes, chopped cilantro, cheese, the possibilities are endless!

Read also: Mini Stepper Guide

tags: #mini #cucumbers #keto