How To Properly Store Sliced Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a perfectly crispy and refreshing snack, and they're even more convenient to munch on if you pre-slice them and keep them in the refrigerator. Still, if you're not diligent about how you store this healthy veggie, those slices could end up bland, dry, or even moldy before you've had a chance to taste them. To prevent the early demise of your sliced cucumbers, there's definitely a right way to store them.

For starters, it's important to acknowledge the nemesis of sliced cucumbers: dry air. Cucumbers are made up of 96% water, which makes them the perfect snack to stay hydrated, but exposure to air will evaporate all of that refreshing moisture, turning your slices into puny, shriveled husks in a matter of days. To prevent this sad transformation, you should keep sliced cucumbers submerged in cold water in an airtight container. 

Place this container near the front of your fridge or in the door to keep the cukes away from the coldest areas, as these fragile vegetables are also very sensitive to frigid temperatures. To keep your cucumbers fresh, change the water in the container every few days. It's best to consume these veggies within a week of storing them, as they'll gradually start to lose their crunch and signature earthy flavors over time. When you're ready to enjoy them, just fish the slices out of the water and pat them dry. 

The water storage method won't keep cucumbers safe to eat forever. You'll know your cucumber slices are no longer fresh when they turn soft and mushy, or have a shriveled and wrinkled appearance. White or clear slime accumulating on the surface of the slices also means their time is up. Some more obvious signs of spoilage are dark spots or mold, which are always an indicator that those veggies should hit the bin. Cucumbers often cost less than a dollar, so there's no reason to take the risk of getting sick.

Sliced cucumbers will also not keep as long as whole ones, so try to use them as soon as you can. There is no shortage of recipes to use cucumbers in, so think outside of the box and your leftovers will never have to meet the trash can. Beyond eating them as-is, you can toss them into TikTok's favorite cucumber salad or a cucumber-celery agua fresca. On the topic of drinks, cukes make for a refreshing garnish in a classic gimlet or summer lemonade. They also make great dippers for tzatziki, ranch dressing, or hummus, and homemade pickles are easier to make than you think.