Home Test Kitchen How To

How to Seed a Cucumber

By Ceara Milligan

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated: Dec. 19, 2023

showing how to seed a cucumber, fresh cucumber on wooden table

FocusStocker/Shutterstock

Cucumbers bring a crispy crunch to all sorts of salads and snacks. Find out why seeding a cucumber is sometimes necessary—and how to get the job done.

Fresh cucumbers are fantastic to snack on, seeds and all, but seeding a cucumber is sometimes a key step when cooking. If a recipe calls for a seeded cucumber, it’s aiming for a light, earthy, refreshing taste—for example, this cucumber melon smoothie.

Why? Like tomato and pepper seeds, cucumber seeds add excess moisture to recipes if they’re left intact. This can cause your crunchy cucumber salad boats or cheese-stuffed cuke snacks to get soggy.

2 Easy Ways to Seed a Cucumber

Here are two methods that will have your cucumbers seed-free in no time flat.

Method 1: Halves

Thoroughly rinse the cucumber in cool water. Lay the cucumber on a cutting board and cut the cucumber in half lengthwise with a sharp knife. Gently scoop out the seeds by gliding the tip of a spoon or a butter knife across the length of the flesh. Be careful to only remove the seeds and not too much of the flesh.

Method 2: Quarters

Just like in the above method, rinse the cucumber with cool water and cut it in half lengthwise with a sharp knife. Then, after the cucumber is cut in half, lay the halves flesh side down on the cutting board. Once more, cut the cucumber halves down the middle lengthwise, creating four quarters in total. Using the tip of a spoon or butter knife, carefully remove the seeds with a gliding motion.

Pro Tip: After removing the seeds, the cucumber can be sliced, diced, cut into straws or peeled. If a recipe calls for peeled cucumber, be sure to use a sturdy, ergonomic vegetable peeler to get the job done.

But Wait—Here’s a Reason to Keep the Seeds

After you remove a cucumber’s seeds, think before you ditch ’em! Cucumber seeds are packed with plenty of proteins, minerals and healthy fats. As a matter of fact, the seeds and skin of cucumbers are the most nutrient-rich parts of the cucumber. They offer all kinds of health and beauty benefits, including the power to hydrate thirsty skin, keep your digestive system moving and more.

So if you’re just snacking, keep the seeds in.

Seeds or No Seeds, Use Your Cucumbers to Make These Cool Recipes

1 / 34

Crisp cucumber salad

Taste of Home

Crisp Cucumber Salsa Here's a fantastic way to use cucumbers. You'll love the creamy and crunchy texture and super fresh flavors. —Charlene Skjerven, Hoolpe, North Dakota Get Recipe Before you check out more recipes, take a look at how to store cucumbers the right way so that you'll never find a mushy cuke in the refrigerator again.

Cucumber Party Sandwiches

Cucumber Party SandwichesCucumber sandwiches are one of my favorite appetizers. We have lots of pig roasts here in Kentucky, and these small sandwiches are perfect to serve while the pig is roasting. —Rebecca Rose, Mount Washington, Kentucky

Kansas Cucumber Salad Exps Thjj19 403 B02 19 5b 9

Kansas Cucumber SaladCucumbers are my very favorite garden vegetable, so I use this recipe often. I got it from a friend years ago. I've heard this refreshing dish keeps very well in the refrigerator, but it goes so fast around our house, I've never found out for myself. —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas

Mama S Warm German Potato Salad Exps Thjj17 164559 D02 03 4b 8

Mama's Warm German Potato SaladMy grandmother, Mama, made this potato salad for every family gathering at her home. The relatives would arrive with their specialties in hand. She never wrote the recipe down, so I had to re-create it from memory. Years later, it's just about right. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida

Watermelon Cups Exps Tohjj22 50594 Dr 02 03 8b

Watermelon CupsThis lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Fresh Veggie Pockets Exps Sdas18 11860 D03 29 4b 8

Fresh Veggie PocketsOne summer I worked at a health food store that sold sandwiches. We were close to a college campus, so I made lots of these fresh-filled pitas for the students. Crunchy with crisp vegetables and nutty sunflower kernels, they're a fast-to-fix lunch when you're on the go. -Linda Reeves, Cloverdale, Indiana

Chicken with Mango-Cucumber Salsa

Chicken with Mango-Cucumber SalsaI put this dish together after looking for something quick and easy without too much indoor cooking. My husband prefers this moist grilled chicken a tad spicy. —Linda Tringali, Monroe Township, New Jersey

Sesame Ginger Cucumber Salad Exps Sdjj17 201093 B02 17 6b 1

Sesame-Ginger Cucumber SaladI love the marinated sides and salads that come with meals at Japanese restaurants and wanted to try them at home. After some research, I came up with this cool, crisp salad. —Kimberly Ludvick, Newburgh, New York

Greek Shrimp Canapes Exps Sddj19 173406 B07 20 5b 3

Greek Shrimp CanapesI grew up by the ocean and then moved to a landlocked state. I wanted to show people in my area how to easily cook seafood, and this is the recipe I came up with. I think it’s safe to say it has become a neighborhood favorite. —Amy Harris, Springville, Utah

Cheeseburger Bowl Exps Thjj18 165765 B01 31 3b 2

Cheeseburger BowlThis recipe is a lighter way to enjoy an American summer staple. You can try a version of the dressing with 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard and 1 tablespoon of ketchup. —Laurie Rogerson, Ellington, Connecticut

Dad S Greek Salad Exps Toham25 189184 P2 Md 03 01 7b

Greek Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Greek SaladThe heart of a Greek salad recipe is in the olives, feta, cucumbers and tomatoes. Dress it with olive oil and vinegar, then add more olives and cheese. —Arge Salvatori, Little Ferry, New Jersey

sliced cucumbers in a dish

Fresh Cucumber SaladCrisp, garden-fresh cukes are always in season when we hold our family reunion, and they really shine in this simple salad. The recipe can easily be expanded to make large quantities, too. —Betsy Carlson, Rockford, Illinois

Turkey Gyros

Turkey GyrosGreek seasoning, feta cheese and dill-cucumber sauce give this gyro an authentic taste. It was my family's introduction to how really good pita bread can be. Instead of feta cheese, we'll sprinkle on cheddar or Monterey Jack if we have it. —Donna Garvin, Glens Falls, New York

Kohlrabi Cucumber And Tomato Salad Exps Thjj18 212499 C02 01 3b 3

Kohlrabi, Cucumber and Tomato SaladThis chilled, refreshing salad is wonderful on hot days. It has a nice crunch and a delicious balance of sweet and spicy flavors. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York

Sour Cream Cucumbers Exps Ft24 26502 Ec 041224 1

Sour Cream Cucumbers Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Sour Cream CucumbersIt’s been a tradition at our house to serve this dish with the other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from the women at church. It’s especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are fresh-picked from the garden. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio

Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry TomatoesBesides being tasty, these little tomato poppers are extra awesome because you can make them ahead of time. At parties, I often triple the recipe because they disappear fast. —Christi Martin, Elko, Nevada

Exps35139 Cw153049c03 31 3b 11

Favorite Cucumber SaladAdd a fresh-tasting touch to your menu with this favorite salad. The crunchy cucumbers are tossed with onion, green pepper and a sweet-tart dressing seasoned with celery seed.—Mary Lou Boyce,Wilmington, Delaware

Exps48297 Cw143042b02 27 10b Web 2

Minty Watermelon-Cucumber Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Minty Watermelon-Cucumber SaladCapturing the fantastic flavors of summer, this refreshing, beautiful watermelon-cucumber salad will be the talk of any picnic or potluck. —Roblynn Hunnisett, Guelph, Ontario

Exps139203 Th153342d02 12 5b 5

Ginger Salmon with Cucumber Lime SauceLime with ginger is a favorite flavor combo for me, especially with grilled salmon. So good. Even with the cucumber sauce, this recipe is easy, too. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Creamy Dilled Cucumber Salad Exps165788 Th2847293c12 13 3b 4

Creamy Cucumber SaladThis creamy cucumber salad, a Norwegian favorite, was a staple at all of our family holidays. —Patty LaNoue Stearns, Traverse City, Michigan

Cucumber Canapes Exps Toham23 13171 P2 Md 11 02 6b

Cucumber CanapesI always get requests for the recipe for these canapes whenever I serve them. They're delicate finger sandwiches with a creamy herb spread and festive red and green garnishes. —Nadine Whittaker, South Plymouth, Massachusetts

Crisp Spicy Cucumber Salad Exps164364 Th2847295b03 07 5bc Rms 2

Crisp & Spicy Cucumber SaladRice vinegar, sesame oil and cayenne create a sweet-hot Asian flavor that will light up your taste buds! —Alivia Dockery, Jensen Beach, Florida

Exps75468 Sd153322d04 08 4b 12

Garden Tomato SaladFor as long as I can remember, Mom made a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers. Now I make it whenever beautiful tomatoes are in reach. —Shannon Arthur, Upper Arlington, Ohio

Exps48205 Hr143571c09 16 3b 3

Shrimp & Cucumber RoundsI always make these appetizers for our get-togethers. They're easy to prepare and a snappy addition to any party. —Kelly Alaniz, Eureka, California

Exps152221 Sd163617c02 05 3b 1 12

Cucumber and Red Onion SaladThis cucumber and onion salad is one of the first recipes I came up with myself. It's a great salad for picnics or potlucks. I always come home with an empty bowl! —Brynn Steckman, Westerville, Ohio

Exps50521 Fr163878b01 05 3b 2

Inside-Out Veggie DipCherry tomatoes and cucumber slices transform into these savory, bite-sized treats ideal for any gathering. —Judie Thurstenson, Colcord, Oklahoma

Exps85805 Sd143206c04 02 4b Web 13

Balsamic Cucumber SaladCucumber salad recipes are my absolute favorite! This fast, fresh salad is a winner at every get together. It's an easygoing, healthy side dish for kabobs, chicken or anything hot off the grill. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia

Exps167014 Sd153321b01 30 2b 1

Chicken with Peach-Cucumber SalsaTo keep our kitchen cool, we grill chicken outdoors and serve it with a minty peach salsa that can easily be made ahead. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas

Strawberry Cucumber Honeydew Salad Exps100847 Hc2847498a09 24 2bc Rms 6

Strawberry, Cucumber & Honeydew SaladStrawberries and cucumbers together—I just love this combination! We used to eat a lot of cucumbers growing up in upstate New York. We'd get them, along with strawberries and melons, from fruit and veggie stands to make this sweet and tangy salad. —Melissa Mccabe, Long Beach, California

Mint-Cucumber Tomato Sandwiches

Mint-Cucumber Tomato SandwichesI jazzed up the quintessential teatime cucumber sandwich to suit my family's tastes. This was my absolute go-to sandwich last summer when I was pregnant. It hit all the right spots! —Namrata Telugu, Terre Haute, Indiana

Exps38689 Mtc153706c03 05 1b 4

Chopped Garden SaladThis recipe is always requested by my children for their birthday meal or any other get-together. The flavor combination is so yummy.—Anna Sutherland, Camp, Arkansas

Dill Garden Salad Exps167049 Hck143243d09 17 4bc Rms 2

Dill Garden SaladI love to cut up whatever fresh vegetables I have on hand and toss them with this delicious dressing and fresh dill. This salad shows up on our table regularly during the summer. —Bethany Martin, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Exps175624 Bb153609d07 08 2b 1

Cucumber-Melon SmoothiesMy cool honeydew and cucumber smoothie has only five ingredients. I sometimes add a small avocado to make it extra creamy.—Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota

Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Originally Published: April 19, 2019