Skip to main content

Q-Cumbers

This completely fat-free side is the perfect counterpoint to rich meat. No matter the barbecue, Q-Cumbers will expand your side dish repertoire beyond the more conventional slaws, potato salads, beans, and corn. Q-Cumbers are best icy cold. Regular cucumbers may need their seeds removed, but the long, plastic-wrapped English/Japanese/seedless kind grown in hothouses are ready-made for thin slicing. Maybe it’s psychological, but the palate-cleansing effect of fresh vinegary sweet cucumbers is extra good in hot weather. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the mayonnaise issue in the heat. The jalapeños, while optional, are encouraged.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 8 servings

Ingredients

2 large seedless cucumbers, thinly sliced
1 medium sweet onion, cut into thin slivers
1 cup rice or distilled white vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
2 jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced (optional)

Preparation

  1. COMBINE all the ingredients in a large bowl with 1 cup of water. Cover and chill until serving time.

Cheater BBQ
Read More
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like fattoush salad and strawberry shortcake roll.
Add a bag of potato chips and you've got yourself a party.
This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.
The most efficient method takes less than an hour, but you might not even need it.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.