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

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. __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. __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. __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. __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. __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. __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. __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](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tomato-cucumber-salad-recipe-by-madhur-jaffrey) is topped with a two-ingredient tadka—one made with mustard seeds and curry leaves.   
2. __Smacked cucumber salad__: This recipe for smacked [cucumber salad](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cucumber-salad-recipe-by-yotam-ottolenghi) makes for a refreshing, crunchy, and salty side dish that you can serve with heavier meals.
3. __Persian cucumber yogurt:__ Cool and creamy with a subtle crunch from fresh cucumbers and toasted nuts, [Persian mast-o khiar](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mast-o-khiar-recipe) is a simple yogurt dish that belongs in any repertoire.
4. __Korean cucumber salad:__ Serve this spicy [Korean cucumber salad](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/korean-cucumber-salad-recipe)—a happy medium between a pickle and a raw salad—at your next barbecue.
5. __Japanese cucumber salad__: Learn how to make a refreshing [Japanese cucumber salad](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sunomono-recipe) (sunomono) with a simple vinegar dressing.
6. __Cucumber sandwich__: Make perfect, easy [cucumber sandwiches](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cucumber-sandwich-recipe) with English cucumbers. Serve them as an appetizer for your next tea party or brunch.

Become a better chef with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Alice Waters, Gabriela Cámara, Niki Nakayama, Chef Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, and more.
Learn how to master cucumber cutting to prepare this refreshing vegetable for a variety of recipes.

Learn how to master cucumber cutting to prepare this refreshing vegetable for a variety of recipes.

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.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 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. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 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. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 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. </li></ol>

How to Cut a Cucumber Into Thin Slices

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.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 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. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 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. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 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. </li><li class="mc-my-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. </li></ol>

How to Julienne Cucumbers

Consider using cut cucumbers in the following recipes.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 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 <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tomato-cucumber-salad-recipe-by-madhur-jaffrey' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tomato-cucumber-salad-recipe-by-madhur-jaffrey","linkCopy":"cucumber salad","category":null}'>cucumber salad</a> is topped with a two-ingredient tadka—one made with mustard seeds and curry leaves. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Smacked cucumber salad: This recipe for smacked <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cucumber-salad-recipe-by-yotam-ottolenghi' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cucumber-salad-recipe-by-yotam-ottolenghi","linkCopy":"cucumber salad","category":null}'>cucumber salad</a> makes for a refreshing, crunchy, and salty side dish that you can serve with heavier meals. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Persian cucumber yogurt: Cool and creamy with a subtle crunch from fresh cucumbers and toasted nuts, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mast-o-khiar-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mast-o-khiar-recipe","linkCopy":"Persian mast-o khiar","category":null}'>Persian mast-o khiar</a> is a simple yogurt dish that belongs in any repertoire. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Korean cucumber salad: Serve this spicy <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/korean-cucumber-salad-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/korean-cucumber-salad-recipe","linkCopy":"Korean cucumber salad","category":null}'>Korean cucumber salad</a>—a happy medium between a pickle and a raw salad—at your next barbecue. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Japanese cucumber salad: Learn how to make a refreshing <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sunomono-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sunomono-recipe","linkCopy":"Japanese cucumber salad","category":null}'>Japanese cucumber salad</a> (sunomono) with a simple vinegar dressing. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Cucumber sandwich: Make perfect, easy <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cucumber-sandwich-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cucumber-sandwich-recipe","linkCopy":"cucumber sandwiches","category":null}'>cucumber sandwiches</a> with English cucumbers. Serve them as an appetizer for your next tea party or brunch. </li></ol>

How to Use Cut Cucumbers

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Learn how to master cucumber cutting to prepare this refreshing vegetable for a variety of recipes.

Learn how to master cucumber cutting to prepare this refreshing vegetable for a variety of recipes.
