Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for cucumber
Best swap for cucumber: Celery, use for crunch in salads; more fibrous and assertive.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Cucumber?
The best swap for Cucumber is Celery, use for crunch in salads; more fibrous and assertive. Another option is Jicama, 1:1 raw; crisp and mild, great in slaws and salads. The table below also lists Zucchini, Kohlrabi and Chayote, 5 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Celery | use for crunch in salads; more fibrous and assertive How to use it: Use the same amount, sliced thin. |
| Jicama | 1:1 raw; crisp and mild, great in slaws and salads |
| Zucchini | 1:1 raw and sliced thin; milder and softer, so salt and drain it for salads |
| Kohlrabi | peeled and sliced, 1:1; crisp and mild, and it holds its crunch in a dressed salad far longer |
| Chayote | peeled and sliced thin, 1:1 raw; firmer and very mild |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.
Buying more? Storage times for cucumbers