This recipe for cucumber shrimp appetizers is a game-changer for your party menu. Easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious, these bite-sized delights will have your guests coming back for more.
If you're in search of the perfect appetizer that's both healthy and delicious, look no further than this cucumber shrimp appetizer recipe. These bite-sized delights are not only easy to prepare but are guaranteed to be the star of your next gathering.
This cucumber shrimp appetizer is a light and flavorful start to any meal, much like my cucumber bites appetizers, which are always a hit. If you're in the mood for something a bit more hearty, my quick and easy taco bites appetizer is a must-try.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- How to Make Cucumber Shrimp Appetizer
- Tips for Making the Best Cucumber Shrimp Appetizer
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Variation Ideas
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store Leftovers
- Similar Recipes You'll Love
- Recipe Card
- Easy Cucumber Shrimp Appetizer (Perfect for Parties!)
- Comments
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This cucumber shrimp appetizer is a cinch to prepare. With just a few steps, you'll have a delicious appetizer ready in no time.
- Classic Flavors: This recipe combines the classic flavors of cucumber, shrimp, and cream cheese, resulting in a timeless appetizer that everyone will love.
- Crowd Pleaser: Whether you're hosting a party or a family gathering, this cucumber shrimp appetizer will definitely impress your guests.
- Comfort Food: Despite its elegant presentation, this appetizer is pure comfort food. The creamy filling and fresh cucumber make for a satisfying and comforting bite.
Key Ingredients
All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this cucumber shrimp appetizer recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:
For a full list of ingredients and quantities, please check the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Cucumbers: The star of our recipe, English cucumbers, are used as the base for our shrimp cucumber bites. They provide a refreshing crunch that perfectly compliments the creamy shrimp salad.
- Small Shrimp: These little bites of the sea add a burst of flavor and protein to our cucumber shrimp appetizers. They're cooked until just pink, then chopped into bite-sized pieces.
- Cream Cheese: This ingredient adds a creamy, tangy base to our shrimp salad. It's softened to make it easy to mix with the other ingredients.
- Mayonnaise: It adds a rich, creamy texture to our shrimp salad. It also helps to bind all the flavors together. I recommend going with homemade mayo for the best results.
- Ranch: This ingredient adds a tangy, herby flavor to our shrimp salad. I used a homemade ranch recipe, but store-bought works just as well.
- Garlic Juice: A little goes a long way with this ingredient. It adds a subtle hint of garlic flavor to our shrimp salad without overpowering the other flavors.
How to Make Cucumber Shrimp Appetizer
Making this incredible cucumber shrimp appetizer is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:
Prepare the cucumbers: First, rinse, peel, and slice each English cucumber into half-inch slices. Using a teaspoon, scoop out a little of the insides of each cucumber slice to form a well. Arrange all the cucumber slices on a serving platter.
Create the creamy mixture: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayo, and ranch. Use a hand mixer to blend these ingredients until they are smooth in texture. Then, add freshly chopped herbs such as dill and the juice squeezed from a large garlic clove. Mix again until all the ingredients are well combined.
Fill the cucumber slices: Transfer the creamy mixture into a piping bag with a star attachment. Fill each cucumber well with about ¾ of a tablespoon of the creamy mixture.
Add the shrimp: Place one small shrimp onto the creamy topping of each cucumber bite. For added flavor, garnish each cucumber shrimp bite with fresh dill and freshly ground black pepper.
Serve the appetizers: These cucumber shrimp appetizers are the perfect snack and can be prepared several hours before serving. Just make sure to refrigerate them until you're ready to serve. Enjoy the fresh tastes and gluten-free goodness of these delicious bites!
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Tips for Making the Best Cucumber Shrimp Appetizer
- Choose the Right Cucumber: For these cucumber shrimp appetizers, I recommend using English cucumbers. They have a mild flavor and thin skin, which makes them perfect for this recipe. Plus, their size is just right for bite-sized snacks.
- Prepare the Cucumber Slices: Rinse, peel, and slice each cucumber into half-inch slices. Using a teaspoon, scoop a little of the insides of the cucumber. This will form a small bowl in each cucumber slice, perfect for holding the shrimp salad.
- Make the Creamy Mixture: Combine softened cream cheese, mayo, and ranch for a creamy, flavorful base. Add freshly chopped dill and garlic juice for an extra burst of flavor. This mixture can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you're ready to assemble the bites.
- Assemble the Cucumber Shrimp Appetizers: Place the creamy mixture into a piping bag and fill each cucumber slice. Top each cucumber bite with a small shrimp, garnish with fresh dill and freshly ground black pepper. These shrimp cucumber bites are a perfect snack for any occasion.
- Refrigerate Before Serving: These appetizers can be prepared several hours before serving. Make sure to refrigerate them until ready to serve. They are best enjoyed within a few hours of being made, as the cucumbers will begin to lose their crispness over time.
Serving Suggestions
- Looking for a perfect snack for your next party? These cucumber shrimp bites are a crowd-pleaser. Pair them with a bowl of chips and sour cream dip for a satisfying crunch.
- If you're planning a dinner party, these shrimp cucumber bites are a great starter. Serve them along with other delicious appetizers, such as my taco bites, for a tasty start to dinner.
- These shrimp salad on cucumber slices also make a great addition to your game day spread for the Super Bowl this year! Serve them with a side of sour cream and onion dip for a flavor-packed bite that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Recipe Variation Ideas
This delicious cucumber shrimp appetizer recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:
- Herbs: If you're a fan of fresh herbs, this variation is for you. Simply add a tablespoon of finely chopped fresh basil to the cream cheese mixture. This will give your cucumber shrimp appetizers a refreshing and aromatic twist that pairs perfectly with the shrimp.
- Spicy: For those who like a bit of heat, try this spicy variation. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and a sprinkle of paprika to the cream cheese mixture. This will give your cucumber shrimp bites a spicy kick that compliments the coolness of the cucumber slices.
- Onions: If you love the tangy flavor of onions, this variation is a must-try. Mix in a tablespoon of finely chopped red onion into the cream cheese mixture. The onion adds a burst of flavor that enhances the overall taste of the shrimp salad on cucumber slices.
- Greek: For a Mediterranean twist, replace the sour cream with Greek yogurt in the cream cheese mixture. This variation gives your cucumber shrimp appetizers a tangy flavor and makes them a perfect snack for those on a gluten-free diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this recipe, I recommend using English cucumbers. They have a mild flavor that pairs well with the shrimp and cream cheese mixture. Plus, their size is perfect for bite-sized appetizers.
Yes, you can. These cucumber shrimp bites can be prepared several hours before serving. Just make sure to refrigerate them until you're ready to serve.
No worries! If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a zip-top bag with a corner cut off. It works just as well for filling the cucumber slices.
Absolutely! Feel free to add some cayenne pepper or paprika to the cream cheese mixture for a bit of heat. Just remember to adjust the spices to your tastes.
Yes, this cucumber shrimp appetizer recipe is gluten-free. It's a perfect snack for those who are following a gluten-free diet.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: If you have any leftover cucumber shrimp appetizers, simply place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. These cucumber bites will stay fresh for up to 2 days. However, I recommend keeping the components separately and assembling a maximum of 5-6 hours before serving for the freshest results.
- Freeze: Unfortunately, due to the high water content in cucumbers, freezing these cucumber shrimp bites is not recommended. The texture of the cucumber slices will become mushy once thaw and the flavor will not be as fresh and crisp.
Similar Recipes You'll Love
- Cucumber Bites Appetizers
- Tomato Appetizers
- The Tastiest Mozzarella Appetizers (Quick and Easy Recipe!)
See all the appetizers.
Recipe Card
Easy Cucumber Shrimp Appetizer (Perfect for Parties!)
Ingredients
For the Cucumber Shrimp Appetizer
- 1 – large English cucumbers
- 24 – small shrimp
- 4 oz. – cream cheese softened
- 2 tbsp. – mayonnaise (I used homemade mayonnaise)
- ¼ cup – ranch (I used homemade ranch recipe)
- 1 tbsp. – fresh dill
- ¼ tsp. – garlic juice
- Black pepper fresh dill for garnish
Instructions
How to Make Cucumber Shrimp Appetizer
- Prepare the cucumbers: First, rinse, peel, and slice each English cucumber into half-inch slices. Using a teaspoon, scoop out a little of the insides of each cucumber slice to form a well. Arrange all the cucumber slices on a serving platter.
- Create the creamy mixture: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayo, and ranch. Use a hand mixer to blend these ingredients until they are smooth in texture. Then, add freshly chopped herbs such as dill and the juice squeezed from a large garlic clove. Mix again until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Fill the cucumber slices: Transfer the creamy mixture into a piping bag with a star attachment. Fill each cucumber well with about ¾ of a tablespoon of the creamy mixture.
- Add the shrimp: Place one small shrimp onto the creamy topping of each cucumber bite. For added flavor, garnish each cucumber shrimp bite with fresh dill and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve the appetizers: These cucumber shrimp appetizers are the perfect snack and can be prepared several hours before serving. Just make sure to refrigerate them until you're ready to serve. Enjoy the fresh tastes and gluten-free goodness of these delicious bites!
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