How to Cut a Cucumber: Easy Ways to Cut Cucumbers

Slicing cucumbers isn’t complicated, but some simple preparation will help smooth out the process.

1. 1. Select a dark-colored, firm cucumber. Fresh cucumbers will be crunchy and crisp all the way through, so avoid ones that have soft spots or mold. Some cucumbers have a waxed skin to preserve them when sold out of season, but it isn’t edible and must be removed with a vegetable peeler or chef’s knife. If you plan to benefit from cucumber skin (which is rich in vitamin A), select unwaxed cucumbers at the grocery store.
2. 2. Rinse the cucumber. Use cool water to wash the cucumber, then place it on a clean cutting board. Have a sharp knife on hand.
3. 3. Slice the cucumber. Hold your large kitchen knife with your thumb and forefinger at the sides of the knife blade and your middle, ring, and pinky fingers gripping the handle to help control your cut. Slice across the cucumber’s width at an angle to create round medallions about a quarter-inch thick or to your preferred width.

Julienne-style cutting reates stick-shaped slices of cucumber. The fine sticks make for an elegant presentation and are great to use as a garnish for topping salads, stir-fries, sushi rolls, and sautées.

1. 1. Square off your cucumber. Cut off the ends of your cucumber and cut the whole cucumber in half widthwise to make it easier to work with.
2. 2. Slice the cucumber lengthwise. Slice the cucumbers in half lengthwise. Continue slicing lengthwise to end up with long slices about one-eighth of an inch thick.
3. 3. Slice long, narrow strips. Continuing to cut the cucumber lengthwise, cut long strips that are one-eighth of an inch thick and one-eighth of an inch wide.
4. 4. Cut the strips into shorter matchsticks. Once you have many long strips of cucumber, cut them by the bunch to end up with matchsticks that are three or four inches long. You can also dice cucumbers at this stage by cutting the thin strips shorter into cubes.

Consider using cut cucumbers in the following recipes.

1. 1. Cherry tomato and cucumber salad: A tadka, the Indian technique of cooking a mixture of spices in fat to release their essential oils, is used to season dishes from dals to salads. This simple tomato and cucumber salad is topped with a two-ingredient tadka—one made with mustard seeds and curry leaves.
   
2. 2. Smacked cucumber salad: This recipe for smacked cucumber salad makes for a refreshing, crunchy, and salty side dish that you can serve with heavier meals.
3. 3. Persian cucumber yogurt: Cool and creamy with a subtle crunch from fresh cucumbers and toasted nuts, Persian mast-o khiar is a simple yogurt dish that belongs in any repertoire.
4. 4. Korean cucumber salad: Serve this spicy Korean cucumber salad—a happy medium between a pickle and a raw salad—at your next barbecue.
5. 5. Japanese cucumber salad: Learn how to make a refreshing Japanese cucumber salad (sunomono) with a simple vinegar dressing.
6. 6. Cucumber sandwich: Make perfect, easy cucumber sandwiches with English cucumbers. Serve them as an appetizer for your next tea party or brunch.

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