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 tablespoons fresh dill (and more for garnish)
- ¼ teaspoons 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 ½ 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 ½ with about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture.
- Garnish with fresh dill.
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.
MEGAN MCDUFFIE
What a perfect summer appetizer – cool & refreshing and you don’t have to turn on the stove! Doesn’t get any easier than that!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes easy summer recipes are great.
Kylee from Kylee Cooks
Fresh appetizers are so good, especially when they’re homemade! These look perfect for the summer months!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes they are so easy…and delicious.
Jodi @ Create Kids Club
Wow, these look delicious! I love your tip on using frozen smoked salmon. This is a food I wouldn’t have thought to freeze, but perfect for grabbing quickly when entertaining!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes frozen smoked salmon works very well in this recipe.
Amy
What a perfect summer appetizer! I love smoked salmon and all that fresh dill looks just wonderful!
Homemade & Yummy
Dill is my favourite herb by far!!
Soniya
This looks and sounds so refreshing!! Perfect for gettogthers and BBQ parties.Saving this recipe 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it is PARTY perfect for sure. ENJOY!!
Molly Kumar
Oh these look fabulous!!! I love love love appetizers and can definitely eat them as meal 🙂 Te combination of cream cheese, salmon + herbs inthose cute cucumber boats sounds super yumm!
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. They are easy to make and fun to eat.
Dene' V. Alexander
I absolutely love smoked salmon! I find that sometimes it’s a bit too salty, but this combination you have here probably balances it out! Looks delicious!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes I do agree it can be on the salty side. I usually will cut way back on adding more salt to the recipe to balance it out.
Karyn
That definitely is one killer salmon dish..stunning and I love your mini cucumbers..This really isca beautiful appetizer
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks. Some summer entertaining fun.
Sarah
All of my favorite things in one delicious appetizer! There is nothing better than smoked salmon and cream cheese!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes…especially homemade!!
April
These sound so yummy. Can a meal taste refreshing because these look so refreshing? I think so since you used cucumbers haha. I love salmon but also love cucumbers. I used to eat them religiously as a child. I can picture myself crunching on these beauties!
Homemade & Yummy
Seriously I can make a meal out of these!!
swathi
Perfect appetizer for barbecue party. I am going to try it. cucumber with cream cheese goes well. Love fresh herbs and smoked salmon.
Homemade & Yummy
I am a fresh DILL lover for sure….it’s in my bones.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
We loved smoked salmon. We like to make pinwheel appetizers so your recipe here looks great as an alternative. Our grandsons could easily pig out on smoked salmon — it’s not cheap!! I’m making your recipe first chance I get.
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Uma Srinivas
Great idea to present such light snack! I would love to do the same thing with some roasted veggie! I love cucumber especially in summer 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
This and a few other apps and I will have a meal.
Arlene Mobley
A perfect summer appetizer recipe. So light and refreshing!
Homemade & Yummy
I happen to think it is …and so does hubby.