Author: Cucumbers are one of those garden crops that seem to multiply overnight. If you’re staring down a mountain of cukes and wondering how to keep them from going bad, this roundup has you covered. These recipes offer a variety of ways to store cucumbers with and without pickling!
How to Store Cucumbers
We’ve all been there. One minute you’re harvesting a few cucumbers for salad, and the next you’ve got baskets full on the counter. The good news is you don’t have to let a single one go soft or slimy.
From shelf-stable preserves to freezer-friendly recipes that don’t involve pickles, here are some of the best ways to store cucumbers for later!
No-Pickle Options for Preserving Cucumbers
If you’re not into pickles, don’t worry. These recipes turn cucumbers into crunchy chips, cool soups, refreshing slushies, and even jam. Most of them freeze or store well for months, making them a great way to extend your harvest.
1. Baked Cucumber Chips
These thin and crispy cucumber chips are surprisingly addictive. Once dried fully, you can seal them in mylar bags with moisture absorbers and store them for up to a year.
2. Cucumber Salsa
This bright and refreshing salsa is perfect for late summer snacking. You can preserve it using the water bath canning process for a shelf-stable option to enjoy any time. Just process the pints for 10 minutes!
3. Cold Cucumber Soup
Smooth and creamy, this soup is perfect for hot summer days. You can freeze it in bags or containers so you always have some on hand.
4. Watermelon Cucumber Slushie
This simple and refreshing drink captures summer in every sip. You can make a big batch and freeze it for an easy treat on a warm day.
5. Cucumber Mint Jam
This lightly sweet jam has a fresh herbal twist and pairs well with toast, crackers, or grilled meat. It is a great way to preserve cucumbers using a traditional canning method.
6. Cucumber Gazpacho
Bright and full of herbs, this gazpacho has a little bit of a kick. You can freeze it for later and enjoy the garden freshness all year.
Pickling Recipes for Cucumbers
In case you do want to make pickles, I wanted to include a few of our favorite recipes! Whether you like them sweet or tangy, these recipes help you make the most of your harvest. Each one can be canned for long-term storage, so you can enjoy cucumbers any time.
7. Homemade Sweet Gherkin Pickles
These sweet little pickles have a big punch of flavor and are seriously the best sweet pickles you will ever have! We use them in this chicken salad recipe and have enjoyed them for several decades! They are perfect for using small cucumbers that are just the right size for gherkins.
8. Classic Dill Pickles
This classic dill pickle recipe is crisp and full of flavor. They are perfect for slicing into sandwiches or enjoying straight from the jar.
9. Candied Red Hot Cinnamon Pickles
This sweet and spicy pickle is made with cinnamon candies for a fun twist. It is also a great way to use cucumbers that have grown too large.
Even More Summer Preservation Ideas
Don’t stop with cucumbers! Here are more options for preserving the summer harvest!
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My kids love cucumber muffins and they insist on making batches for the freezer every year. I am not a huge fan, but it’s an easy breakfast and snack to keep around :)
Ha! That’s too funny! I’ll have to try them, because I’m running out of pantry space with all these pickles!!
Can you please explain/ give directions on how to make cucumber muffins
Recipe please?
Each item mentioned is linked to the recipe in question ? Just click the name of the recipe you want and you’ll find it.
I have an abundance of cucumbers and love making the salsa. Can I freeze some of the salsa or will that totally change it?
Hi Simon! This is a great question… freezing water based, fresh veggies will definitely change the texture from fresh. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing!
I would probably try freezing a small batch, thaw it after 2-3 days, and see what you think. Since I might say the texture is fine and you might not agree, it’s best to test it and see how to feel about it!
Enjoy your cucumbers, it’s always fun to have an abundance! <3
Hi Simon. My family loves this salsa. I froze some salsa last summer forgot about it opened. this summer. It was good.I have. 8 quarts in he freezer with this summed cucumbers
This sounds so intriguing…I can’t wait to start trying these ideas…I am one of four adults who live together in one household.
We need to cut back on our
Also having lots my Boothbys Blonde Cucumbers I want to can them without pickling. I want spears to later make deep tied spears. Can I just can with a little salt and plain water?
Hi Cindy! I’m not sure what “deep tied spears”, but unfortunately, cucumbers have to be pickled during canning for them to be safe to eat later on. This post has other ways to preserve your cucumbers without canning… but if you want to can them, they have to be pickled. Sorry about that!
Instead of freezing the cucumber salsa is it OK to can and leave in the pantry?
Hi Carin! Since it’s not my personal recipe I can’t answer that directly. But I didn’t check the original recipe and one user wrote “I canned it last year. Turned out great! Processed for 10 minutes. Heated ingredients to a boil ,then simmered for 10 minutes first.” Hope that helps!