Cucumber Canapes with Shrimp

Kick up a classic easy finger food by making Cucumber Canapes with Shrimp! These fancy appetizers are easy to prepare, with a refreshing tzatziki sauce filling, flavorful shrimp, and vibrant herb topping. Serve these for a party, and your guests will be asking you for the recipe!

These delicious cucumber appetizers are easy canapes to make ahead that will keep your guests happy while buying you more time to cook dinner! Shrimp appetizers like this are a classic party food and make a delicious appetizer for an elegant dinner, too.

I find cold appetizers are always the easiest to serve up when you have other foods you need to focus on in the kitchen, especially easy seafood appetizers like this. You know they are ready to go in advance, and there’s no need to mess about heating them up when people start to arrive! Simply set them out on the table (perhaps with a pitcher of Rose Sangria) for your guests to enjoy. What could be easier?

What are canapes?

Typically, a canape is an appetizer or hors d’oeuvre consisting of a topping (usually savory) on a small piece of bread, a pastry, or a cracker. In the case of cucumber canapes, the cucumber itself acts as the vessel for the topping⁠—perfect for low carb appetizers. Plus, these are cold appetizers, meaning you don’t have to stress about preparing them once your guests arrive. Just set them out to enjoy!

Canapes are an attractive and convenient way to allow guests to keep their appetites in check before the main meal. They’re perfect for bringing your guests together in one location and keeping them happy while you prepare the main course and table setting elsewhere.

What do I need to make cucumber cups with shrimp?

Cucumber canapes require very few ingredients to make. This cucumber and shrimp appetizer uses common ingredients and comes together in no time! To make shrimp in cucumber cups, you will need:

• 1/4 lb. of shrimp (raw or cooked)
• 1/2 Tbsp. oil for cooking shrimp
• Salt and pepper
• 2 whole cucumbers
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• Juice of half a lemon
• 1/4 tsp. granulated garlic or garlic powder
• Handful of finely chopped mint leaves
• Fresh herbs for topping (I use dill, mint, and chives)

How to Make Cucumber Shrimp Cups

Making shrimp cups is easy! Cutting the cucumbers may seem intimidating at first, but we promise, it’s easy to do.

How to Cook Shrimp:

1. If using pre-cooked shrimp, skip straight to the next set of steps. Before making this cold appetizer recipe, you will need to cook and chill the raw shrimp. Place a pan on medium heat and add half a Tbsp. of oil. When the oil is hot, place the shrimp in the pan. Season with salt and pepper and cook the shrimp for 1 minute on each side until bright pink.
2. Remove from the pan and leave to cool. When completely cool, chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.

How to Cut Cucumbers for Cucumber Canapes:

1. Use a vegetable peeler to roughly peel the cucumbers. This doesn’t have to be perfect; a few strips of green skin left behind can add a nice effect to the finished shrimp hors d’oeures, so don’t worry if you miss a few spots.
2. Slice off and discard either end of the cucumbers, then cut up into 1″ thick pieces. Each piece will become a cucumber canape cup.
3. Use a melon baller to hollow out the seeds from the center of each cucumber cup. You may also need to use a knife if you can’t get deep enough with the melon baller. Be careful not to go all the way through to the other side. If you don’t have a melon baller, try using a small measuring spoon to scoop the seeds out.

Making Homemade Tzatziki Sauce and Filling the Cucumbers:

1. In a small bowl, mix together yogurt, lemon juice, granulated garlic, and finely chopped mint leaves to make a tzatziki filling. Season with salt pepper and mix in well. Taste and adjust as necessary.
2. Transfer the tzatziki filling to a piping bag. Line up the cucumber cups and carefully fill each cup with the tzatziki. Don’t fill all the way to the top, but leave a small gap, as the level of the filling will rise when the shrimp and herbs are added. If you don’t have a piping bag, use a plastic bag with a hole cut in the corner. You could also fill each cup with a spoon, but the result will not be as clean.
3. Place a chilled shrimp over the lip of each cup, with the head end in the filling and the tail end hanging over the side of the cup.
4. Top with fresh herbs, then serve!

RECIPE TIP⁠—Making these canapes ahead of time:

These gourmet appetizers can be made a few hours ahead of time and stored in the fridge until needed! To ensure they keep at their best, leave off the herb toppings and instead add them just before serving. In addition, place a paper towel under the finished shrimp appetizers before placing in the fridge. The cut cucumber will release water as the canapes chill, and the paper towel will prevent the cold hors d’oeuvres from becoming soggy.

What should I serve cucumber canapes with?

Chips and dip are another great option for keeping people happy and well-fed, pre or post-meal. I love to make my own beetroot hummus or a simple guacamole recipe.

Hot canapes can also be just as easy to make as these cold appetizers, just make sure you leave enough time to heat them up before your guests arrive. Why not try delicious shrimp shumai, Chinese chilli garlic prawns, or easy baked crispy potato wedges?

Try serving cucumber canapes before a meal like Asian Peach Glazed Chicken or an Asian Beef Stir Fry Recipe. We love shrimp appetizers before a meal like Celery Root Soup and Lobster, too, or Chicken Breast and Mushrooms! Creamy Mushroom Pasta is another ideal choice, as is this Easy Paella Recipe with Beef and Shrimp or a Grilled Chuck Steak.

Other fancy appetizers to try:

• Beer Cheese Dip (Obatzda) with German Soft Pretzels
• Jalapeno Popper Deviled Eggs
• Marquis Potatoes (Pommes Marquise)
• Potato Pave with Bacon and Parmesan
• Prosciutto Pinwheels
• Southwest Baked Egg Rolls
• Spinach Puff Pastry
• Thai Chicken Meatballs
• Thai Sausage Rolls
• Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms

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This post was updated on August 23, 2019 to include an updated recipe, new photos, and new information.

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