Shrimp on Cucumber Appetizer

This easy and healthy shrimp on cucumber appetizer recipe is great for the summer. It’s an anytime kind of recipe that everyone will love! Healthy summer appetizers should be easy to make, right?

One of my favorites because it’s crunchy, fresh, flavorful, and really simple to make. Shrimp on cucumber appetizer is a limited ingredient recipe that you can whip up easily but it looks and tastes like something you spent hours preparing.

If you have parties and backyard bbq’s planned for the coming months you have to keep this recipe on hand to try out and share! Cucumber tuna avocado salad is another great cucumber based recipe that you should try if you need another party friendly recipe that works as an appetizer or lunch recipe.

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If you like simple appetizer recipes or if you need something with limited ingredients to keep an eye on allergens like gluten, this shrimp on cucumber appetizer a terrific option.

You can’t go wrong with shrimp. They’re flavorful, but they are also healthy and they taste great both chilled and warm. They are a versatile shellfish that you can use in all sorts of recipes as we will see here with this simple appetizer recipe.

All in all, this is a simple summer appetizer. These shrimp cucumber bites will be a hit no matter who you are serving. It’s sliced cucumber topped with a ranch cream cheese spread, then topped with mini shrimp and garnished with fresh dill, what’s not to love?!

If you aren’t a fan of shrimp, you have options…so don’t run away yet! You can easily substitute smoked salmon for the shrimp in this recipe without having to make much in the way of accommodations. You can give it a little fold and place it on top like the shrimp, easy peasy!

Speaking of salmon, this easy smoked salmon dip also has cream cheese. It’s a creamy way to enjoy seafood appetizer.

Notes for making the best shrimp on cucumber appetizers:

You can cut the cucumbers thicker, if you prefer, and you can also use small shrimp instead of extra small. If you have one on hand versus the other, just go with what you have!

The cucumber is sort of wet, so don’t worry if you can’t spread the cream cheese mixture very well. You’ll notice that ours are not fully covered, and since this is a bite size appetizer, it really doesn’t matter.

If you really want to, you can pat the cucumbers dry on the top side with a paper towel to make them easier to spread with cream cheese.

Is this a gluten free appetizer?

This recipe uses cream cheese, dry ranch mix (either a packet or homemade), dill weed, cucumbers, dill sprigs, and fully cooked shrimp. 

These are a naturally gluten-free appetizer that require no changes in order to be completely gluten free. That’s great for those of you who need to avoid gluten for health reasons!

Don’t miss out on trying out homemade ranch seasoning mix. It’s an easy way to make dry ranch mix at home and you will have it available whenever you want to make shrimp on cucumber appetizers or lots of other ranch-flavored recipes.

How to make shrimp on cucumber appetizers:

In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, ranch mix, and dried dill weed. Stir until completely mixed together.

Rinse the cucumbers in cold water, and peel the skins if desired.

Slice the cucumbers into ¼ – ½ inch slices, and arrange on a baking sheet or tray. I lined mine with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Spread about ½ teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture on each cucumber. 

Top each cream cheese covered cucumber with a tiny sprig of fresh dill.

Add one shrimp to the center of each cucumber I used cooked salad-sized shrimp.

Cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Can I make these appetizers in advance?

As we mentioned above you will need to give them about an hour to chill after they are prepped. I would suggest not making them too far in advance of when you will eat them because the cucumbers can get kind of wet and make the whole mixture a little on the slimy side.

You can make them ahead of time a bit but I wouldn’t suggest prepping them more than perhaps overnight or a day in advance. Then, lay them out on a pretty serving tray, and voila!

More appetizer recipes

If you are looking for some other appetizer recipes to try, you won’t want to miss out on some of these other posts. They’re delicious, easy to make, and perfect for sharing. Some of these delicious and healthy summer appetizers will be favorites on your table for sure.

• Easy Pinwheel Appetizers
• Slow Cooker Meatball Appetizer
• Instant Pot Appetizers for Game Day
• 9 Pasta Salads for Summer

Printable Shrimp On Cucumber Appetizer Recipe: