Vegan Tzatziki and Cucumber Mojito Recipe

Welcome back to scrappy cooking! Let’s make some delicious and refreshing vegan tzatziki, and utilize the cucumber water to make a mojito with a twist!

This time we’re going to squeeze (literally and figuratively) two recipes out of one vegetable! I am talking, of course, about cucumber. Although cucumbers are mostly water, you’d be amazed at how much flavor and texture they can provide to a dish.

Get ready to have your mind blown with two scrappy cooking recipes: vegan tzatziki and cucumber mojito!

Why You Should Eat More Cucumbers

Cucumbers are not only a refreshing and hydrating addition to salads and meals but also offer a range of health and culinary benefits. Here are some reasons why cucumbers are great:

• Hydration. Cucumbers are composed of over 95% water, making them an excellent hydrating food choice, especially during hot weather or after physical activity.
• Nutrient-rich. Cucumbers are low in calories but rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium.
• Antioxidants. Cucumbers contain various antioxidants, such as beta-carotene and flavonoids, which help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the body.
• Skin health. The silica content in cucumbers is beneficial for promoting healthy skin by supporting collagen production and maintaining skin elasticity.
• Blood sugar control. Some research suggests that compounds found in cucumbers may help regulate blood sugar levels.
• Culinary versatility. Cucumbers can be enjoyed in various ways, including raw in salads, as pickles, blended into smoothies, or used as a crunchy addition to sandwiches. In fact, this double recipe is proof!
• Cool and refreshing. Cucumbers have a mild, crisp, and refreshing flavor that can help add a cooling element to dishes, making them a popular choice during the warmer months.

Vegan Tzatziki Recipe

Tzatziki is a popular Greek sauce or dip that is typically made with yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, dill, and lemon juice. It’s renowned for its creamy texture, tangy flavor, and refreshing taste.

Of course, traditionally, it is not vegan as it contains Greek yogurt. However, it is very easy to “veganize” tzatziki using non-dairy yogurt and other plant-based ingredients. Best of all, we will preserve the whole-food spirit and simplicity of the original recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s OH-SO-EASY! It takes minimal time, minimal ingredients, and minimal effort.
• The results, on the other end, are spectacular! You can enjoy this as a dip, a sandwich spread, or a sauce you can serve with salad.
• Talk-about budget-friendly! Cucumbers are generally as affordable as it comes, but during the right season this vegan tzatziki recipe is even cheaper to make.

How to Make This Recipe

Using an ordinary box grater, grate the cucumber. Half a large cucumber usually yields about 1 cup of grated cucumber, so if your cucumber is quite small, you might want to add extra.

Stretch a cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel (not too thick) over a bowl. Transfer the grated cucumber to the cloth and strain out as much liquid as you can. Remember, this is a scrappy cooking recipe so be sure to reserve the cucumber water for our cocktail. 

Add vegan yogurt of choice, tofu, and garlic to a blender. Process until you have a mixture with a thick consistency like Greek yogurt.

Finally, transfer the yogurt to a bowl, and fold in the red wine vinegar, fresh dill, salt, pepper, and cucumber. To serve, you can drizzle some olive oil over the top and sprinkle with extra dill, salt, and pepper.

Hack It!

• Naturally, if you don’t eat soy, neither soy yogurt nor tofu are suitable. But don’t worry, there is a way to enjoy this vegan tzatziki soy-free. Replace yogurt with coconut dairy-free yogurt and blend it with some soaked cashews or sunflower seeds to add thickness.
• Instead of red wine vinegar, you might prefer freshly squeezed lemon juice or apple cider vinegar for acidity.
• Cannot find any vegan yogurt at the store? Use some thick coconut milk and adjust the amount of vinegar or lemon juice to taste.

How to Serve Vegan Tzatziki

• Refrigerate the vegan tzatziki for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
• Serve the vegan tzatziki as a dip with pita bread, fresh vegetables, or smashed potatoes.
• Enjoy it as a sauce for falafel, gyros, or other Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
• It can be a great addition to a sandwich or a wrap.

Let’s Get Scrappy!

Don’t throw away the liquid you have drained from the cucumber. Scroll down for a delicious and refreshing twist on a traditional mojito cocktail. Meanwhile, here are a few more ideas to stop your cucumbers going to waste:

• Cucumber Water. Slice or chop cucumbers and infuse them in water to create a refreshing and hydrating drink. This is a great way to use cucumbers that might not be as fresh for eating.
• Homemade Pickles. Turn excess cucumbers into delicious homemade pickles. You can make quick refrigerator pickles or traditional canned pickles to enjoy later.
• Compost Scraps. If you have cucumber peels, ends, or any parts you don’t use, compost them to enrich your garden soil.
• Cucumber Face Mask. Blend cucumbers into a paste and use as a soothing and hydrating face mask. Cucumber can help cool and rejuvenate your skin.
• Cucumber Scrub. Mix cucumber peels with coarse salt or sugar to create a natural exfoliating scrub for your skin.
• Feed Wildlife. If you have a garden or outdoor space, cucumbers that are no longer suitable for consumption can be left out for wildlife like birds, squirrels, or deer.
• Cucumber Smoothies: Blend cucumbers into your smoothies for added hydration and nutrition.
• Cucumber Combinations: Incorporate cucumbers into other dishes, such as salads, sandwiches, wraps, and rolls, to use them up before they go bad.
• Cucumber Slices for Eyes. Place chilled cucumber slices on your eyes to reduce puffiness and refresh your skin.
• Cucumber Salsa. Make a cucumber salsa by chopping cucumbers and mixing them with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice, and spices.
• Cucumber Vinaigrette. Blend cucumbers with herbs, vinegar, and oil to create a flavorful and refreshing salad dressing.
• Ferment Cucumbers. Besides pickles, you can also ferment cucumbers to create probiotic-rich snacks like cucumber kimchi.
• Cucumber Gazpacho. Blend cucumbers with other vegetables, herbs, and spices to make a chilled cucumber gazpacho soup.

Cucumber Mojito Recipe

A traditional Mojito is a classic Cuban cocktail known for its refreshing and minty flavors. It typically consists of fresh lime juice, mint leaves, some sugar, and white rum over ice.

To modify the traditional recipe into the cucumber Mojito, we will be utilizing leftover cucumber water for a refreshing and characteristic flavor. This recipe is also for a sugar-free and non-alcoholic cocktail but you can modify it to your taste using variations below.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Like any other scrappy cooking recipe, it has two major benefits. Not only do you reduce your food waste, you also save a little bit of money.
• On a hot summer day, this is THE PERFECT DRINK to help you cool down and relax in a chaiselong or have fun at a backyard barbecue.
• The best cocktails are simple. And this cucumber mojito is proof!

How to Make This Recipe

Squeeze the lime juice into a tall glass, then drop the lime wedges into the glass. Add mint leaves and ginger and muddle with the back of a spoon or a bartending muddler. 

Add a generous amount of ice, and pour in the cucumber juice. Top your cocktail off with sparkling water and add more fresh mint for garnish. 

Hack It!

• Traditionally, a mojito includes some cane sugar. Personally I find that it clashes with the cucumber but if you want to add some sweetness to your cocktail you could add some agave or syrup.
• My cucumber mojito doesn’t feature any alcohol but if you’re having a party, you may add some white rum to your cocktail.

Other Variations of Mojito

• Berry Mojito. Add fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries to the mix for a colorful twist.
• Pineapple Mojito. Incorporate chunks of fresh pineapple for a tropical flavor.
• Coconut Mojito. Combine coconut rum and coconut water for a tropical and creamy Mojito.
• Blackberry Mint Mojito. Combine muddled blackberries with mint for a sweet and slightly tart variation.
• Watermelon Mojito. Blend or muddle watermelon chunks and mint for a refreshing summer Mojito.
• Spiced Mojito. Infuse your Mojito with spices like cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg for a warm and aromatic twist.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

• Cucumber Lemon Mint Water
• Cucumber Sushi
• Strawberry Cucumber Salad
• Ginger Juice, Tea and Spice (Zero-Waste)
• Scarpaccia Zucchini Tart

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