“Sometimes, you need to eat an entire cucumber,” is the catchphrase of TikTok’s new favorite recipe influencer, Logan Moffitt. The Canadian’s account is full of cucumber salad videos, each of which has millions of views, and show him, you guessed it, slicing up an entire cucumber with a mandolin, before mixing it with various different ingredients (MSG is a favorite, “obviously”).
Moffitt’s popularity has led TikTok itself to declare this season “a cucumber summer” and even (maybe) caused a cucumber shortage in Iceland. But is it worth trying the trend? And is it actually safe to be eating this much of the salad vegetable? Let’s dive in.
What is the TikTok cucumber trend?
Moffitt’s new nickname is “cucumber guy” for obvious reasons. He really, really loves cucumbers, and his enthusiasm for the humble salad vegetable has made millions of others love it, too. His recipe for a cucumber salad with imitation crab has more than 29 million views and his spicy version with jalapenos and cream cheese boasts more than 17 million. And that’s just scratching the surface; his countless other variations on a cucumber salad all count views in the millions.
According to Moffitt, he started posting his videos in response to a growing “cucumber community” on TikTok. He’s right, there is indeed a thriving fan base for the salad vegetable on the social media platform, from skincare influencers who love to rub a frozen cucumber on their face to various recipes with the vegetable (not just salad, but pasta and noodles, too).
“I didn’t post much about it until I realized how large the cucumber community was and how many people related to how I feel about cucumbers,” Moffitt told USA Today. “I don’t really understand why the videos all are so successful, but I’m glad they are, because I enjoy making them, and I’m glad to provide viewers with an interesting, fun, and healthy snack to have.”
Logan Moffitt
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Moffitt’s cucumber salad trend isn’t without its negatives, though. In Iceland, his rising popularity has been blamed, in part, for cucumber shortages in stores (although it’s important to note that experts say that crop shortages and more demand from schools as children return after the summer are likely to blame, too).
It has also led to some injuries. The mandolin cutter that Moffitt uses can be dangerous, especially when it’s used without a guard. “I sliced my hand on that mandolin like a tomato,” said one TikToker who tried one of Moffitt’s recipes and ended up having to be bandaged up in the hospital. In response to people hurting themselves, Moffitt has experimented with a safer type of mandolin with a boxed blade.
Is it safe to eat an entire cucumber?
Injuries aside, you might be wondering: is it actually safe or healthy to eat an entire cucumber in one sitting? And the answer, it turns out, is yes—at least for most people. Cucumbers are low in calories and they’re a good source of fiber, which is essential for digestive health. They also contain vitamins and minerals such as vitamin K, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium.
“Eating a whole cucumber daily can support heart health due to its potassium content, which helps regulate blood pressure by counteracting sodium’s effects,” Veronica Rouse, MAN, RD, CDE, told Well+Good. “With approximately 290 to 300 milligrams of potassium in a medium cucumber, it can be a beneficial part of a heart-healthy diet.”
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As they’re around 96-percent water, cucumbers are also one of the most hydrating vegetables you can eat. A hydrating diet is particularly important right now, as heatwaves are becoming more intense during the summer months.
Those on blood thinning medication, however, might want to be mindful about increasing their intake of cucumber. This is because they’re rich in vitamin K, which can increase blood clotting.
How to make a vegan cucumber salad
Overall, eating a cucumber a day in a tasty salad seems like a good idea (as long as you’re careful with your mandolin!). Many of Moffitt’s recipes are made with animal ingredients, like chicken, cream cheese, and imitation crab (which contains fish), but there are plenty of variations on the internet that use only plant-based ingredients. Below, we’ve picked a few of our favorites.
The Foodie Takes Flight
1 Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad
Creamy cucumber salad is a favorite of Moffitt’s. One of his most popular videos is a salmon cream cucumber salad, which at the time of writing, has more than 22 million views. However, because it’s made with fish, it is, of course, not vegan. But you can still get that deliciously creamy texture with plant-based ingredients. This recipe from The Foodie Takes Flight uses ingredients like vegan mayonnaise, mustard, and lemon juice to make a flavor-laden creamy dressing.
Get the recipe
Nadia’s Healthy Kitchen
2 Middle Eastern Cucumber Salad
Nadia’s Healthy Kitchen’s cucumber salad was created in response to Moffitt’s trend. “You’ve probably seen the TikTok cucumber salad that’s going viral all over social media by now,” writes recipe developer Nadia Al-Khaffaf. “Literally everyone seems to be making it, or a version of it. I didn’t want to feel like I was missing out, so I gave it a try—with my own little spin of course.” That little spin includes Middle Eastern-inspired ingredients like tahini, harissa, and pomegranate molasses, and it’s delicious.
Get the recipe
Healthful Blondie
3 Spicy Cucumber Salad
For a light, refreshing cucumber salad, with just a little bit of a kick, check out this recipe from Healthful Blondie. It’s made with a mix of fresh ingredients like crisp accordion cucumbers, green onion, soy sauce, red chili flakes, garlic, and sesame oil, and comes together in just a few minutes.
Get the recipe
Feasting At Home
4 Asian Cucumber Salad
Feasting at Home’s Asian cucumber salad is made with a tasty mix of ingredients like maple syrup, scallions, rice vinegar, sesame, ginger, garlic, and soy. “I think you will fall in love with it,” writes recipe developer Sylvia Fountaine. “It’s fast and easy and light and delicious.”
Get the recipe
Labeless Nutrition
5 Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Cucumber Salad
Just like Moffitt, Labeless Nutrition founder Gabrielle St Claire loves “cucumbers in anything.””They are filling, packed with water and can fit seamlessly into a myriad of dishes,” she says. “They also enable you to feel full, but not weighed down, which is perfect for the summer months!” In this recipe, she pairs the vegetable with a delicious lemon poppy seed dressing, which is quick, easy, and packed with plenty of zesty flavor.
Get the recipe
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
