Just in time for summer eating, these Stuffed Cucumber Appetizer Boats are perfect.
Filled with cream cheese and smoked salmon, just like a cucumber sandwich without the bread. If you love cucumber salad, this super easy and delicious recipe is a must-try.
Is the weather finally getting warm where you are? Perhaps you are one of the lucky people that have it year-round. I sure wish that was the case here, but unfortunately, it is not.
Now that summer is peaking around the corner, it’s time to think about backyard barbecues and summer entertaining. Lots of easy salads and appetizers will be my main focus for the next few months.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for these cucumber boats are at the bottom of this post.
Summer sun, cool drinks, and grilling, my favourite time of year. Salads and easy-to-eat appetizers top my list for summer eating.
Perfect tasty pairings for all those delicious grilled meats and fish. Burgers, steaks, rotisserie chicken, and don’t forget delicious pork and seafood. All they need are simple sides to make a wonderful meal. Just like these stuffed mini cucumbers.
Cucumbers and cream cheese are such a great pairing. Add some smoked salmon, and you just elevated basic to gourmet. Smoked salmon salad with cucumber noodles is a favourite around here.
Filling For Cucumber Boats
You can buy ready-made cream cheese in the store, but do you know how easy it is to make? All you need is:
- plain cream cheese (whipped or regular)
- smoked salmon (fresh or frozen)
- garnish (I like dill)
- seasoning (just a bit of pepper is great)
That is it, easy right? A few ingredients and you have yourself a cream cheese filling better than anything store-bought.
I used frozen salmon for this recipe. Defrost it in the frigde, and mix into the cream cheese. I find using my immersion blender works best. You can also use a han-held mixer, food processor or just a fork.
Not into smoked salmon, no problem. You can always use any canned fish:
- tuna
- salmon
- crab meat
- sardines
- mackerel
Stuffing The Cucumbers
I love mini cucumbers. The perfect vessel for these tasty appetizers. If however, if you cannot find them, English cucumbers will work.
You can either hollow them out, stuff them, and cut them into cucumber bites, OR you can pile the filling on top of slices.
I like to use a (affiliate)melon baller to scoop out the flesh of the cucumber to create the crevice for the filling. Alternatively, you can just a small spoon.
- Wash the cucumber and pat dry.
- Cut in half lengthwise.
- Scoop out the flesh to create a nice groove.
- Stuff with the prepared filling, and garnish.
Add some crackers, cheese, pickled eggs, or whatever your little heart desires, and you have a fantastic party platter of food with little effort. Perfect for your summer entertaining needs.
Cucumber Nutrition
Not only are they delicious, did you know that cucumbers are super healthy?
- low in calories
- contain antioxidants
- digestive aid
- help with blood pressure
- keep you hydrated
- contain fibre
Choose crisp, firm cucumbers. Store in the refrigerator, they will stay fresh for up to a week.
Looking for a few more summer recipes? Give these a try:
- Zucchini Gazpacho is a wonderful cold summer soup.
- Shrimp Cups are made with endive and sweet and spicy topping.
- Smoked Salmon Skewers are always a hit. Cook the potatoes on the grill.
- Cold Smoked Cheese contains warm brie that no one can resist.
- Grilled Balsamic Strawberries are perfect for weekend brunch, or an easy bbq dessert idea.
- Stuffed Mini Peppers make the perfect start to any backyard party.
- Grilled Shishito Peppers are always fun. See who gets the hot ones.
- Snap Pea Salad is crisp, refreshing and so easy to make. A great side dish for any meal.
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Cucumber Boat Appetizer
Ingredients
- 5 ounces smoked salmon (thawed)
- 8 mini cucumbers
- 8 ounces cream cheese (unflavoured)
- 2 tbsp fresh dill (and more for garnish)
- ¼ tsp garlic flavoured black pepper
Instructions
- Roughly cut the thawed smoked salmon into pieces.
- Place in bowl and add the cream cheese.
- Using an immersion blender, blend until you reach your desired consistency.
- Add the fresh chopped dill and garlic pepper.
- Stir to combine. Set aside in the fridge till ready to use.
- Wash cucumbers and pat dry.
- Cut in 1/2 lengthwise.
- Using a melon baller, scoop out a bit of flesh the length of the cucumber. This should resemble a groove…sort of like a canoe.
- Stuff each cucumber 1/2 with about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture.
- Garnish with fresh dill.
Tania
Never made Stuffed Cucumber Appetizer Boats and figured why not. Came out fantastic! Whole family loved it! Thank you!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This is such a great recipe, especially for summer eating on the patio.
DEbbie
These cucumber boats are simple yet amazing ! I love the combination of all the flavors . I added a little extra dill, it really gave such a refreshing flavor.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You can never go wrong with dill and cucumber. Glad you enjoyed the recipe.
FOODHEAL
Wow! I love all this green color. Dill makes any fish taste good. I love the presentation, these boats can make anyone love eating fish. You’ve done a perfect job here.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. I really love when recipes are fun and easy to make.
Melanie
You had me at smoked salmon! This looks so delicious and fresh, the perfect appetizer for a Sunday brunch! Yum!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Smoked salmon is perfect for Sunday brunch. ENJOY!
Amanda
We loved these cucumber boats! The smoked salmon and cream cheese added such a decadent texture, but they were still super refreshing. Perfect for a meal on the patio!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Yes a meal on the patio….just what I am craving. I really need the weather to warm up here faster. Enjoy your summer.
Tamara
I live in south Texas near the Gulf (eternal summer), and this salmon and cucumber appetizers sounds SOOOO appealing! They’d be a perfect starter for a backyard BBQ.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
YES these cucumber boats are the perfect bbq party appetizer. ENJOY!
Farrukh Aziz
Wow! This is the best way to use salmon, and a fun way to get kids to eat cucumbers! I love the idea of doing this, and I definitely need to try it out!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am totally impressed when readers tell me kids will eat smoked salmon. That is awesome. ENJOY!
Kate
This looks like the perfect starter. It is light and easy to make. Who can resist the combination of cucumber, cream cheese and salmon? Many thanks for the inspiration. It will be on our menu for mother’s day.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Well, Happy Mother’s Day….and I hope you and your guests enjoy these delicious cucumber boats.
Natalie
This is just perfect for Summer! Sounds delicious and refreshing. And it’s so easy to prepare. Oh, I’m making this for sure. Thanks, Gloria.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome….enjoy these cucumber boats and summer!!
Sharon
I love eating appetizers for dinner and this one is delicious and can easily eat like a meal.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I agree, appetizers for dinner are delicious.
Charlie
What a great idea!
Thank you for sharing it.
I also clicked on some of the other recipes you had listed.
Have a wonderful Day. :~D
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are very welcome. Hope you give some of these recipes a try soon. Thanks for stopping by.