Easy Mexican Cucumber Recipe (Snack Made with Chili and Lime)
This Mexican cucumber recipe is healthy, tasty, refreshing and the perfect snack on hot summer days. It’s so easy to make with just 4 ingredients! Serve it as a snack or appetizer.
What Are Mexican Cucumbers with Chile and Lime
Pepinos con chile translates to cucumbers with chili. But lime is also added and often included in the snack name too, so pepino con chile y limon or cucumber with chili and lime.
This Mexican cucumber snack is one of those delicious recipes, that well isn’t much of a recipe. Meaning that it’s so incredibly easy to make and with just a few ingredients you can create the refreshing treat. This isn’t going to be one of those new Mexican recipes where there’s a long list of instructions to follow.
Everyone in Mexico grows up eating this healthy snack.
It’s a very popular fruit sold by street vendors or in the mercados. It can be sold on it’s own or mixed in Mexican fruit cups with other fruits like watermelon, papaya, jicama, cantaloupe and other seasonal fruits.
Each bite will satisfy your belly and make your heart very happy. I think these cucumbers will quickly become and remain a favorite vegan snack of yours.
Ingredients Needed
This popular and refreshing Mexican snack requires just 4 ingredients. All of which are easy to find anywhere in the world.
- fresh cucumbers
- fresh limes
- ground chile powder
- salt
When I lived in Europe and couldn’t find fresh limes, I would use fresh lemon juice. The taste is slightly different but still delicious.
What Chile Powder Should You Use
You can use ground chile de arbol or cayenne pepper. Either of these provides the spiciness desired.
Any ground red chili powder will do, something like morita powder would add a touch of smokiness to the cucumbers. Another option would be ancho chili powder. When I lived in Europe I would sometimes use spicy paprika and it worked great too.
In a pinch and if you don’t have ground chile powder you can use hot sauce instead. My favorite was always Valentina salsa (so good on tortilla chips too). Cholula would also work.
The easiest or most convenient chile powder to use is actually Tajin seasoning.
What is Tajin
Tajin powder is a very popular chile-lime powder or chile seasoning mix made of ground red chile powder, salt and dehydrated limes.
The chilies used to make Tajin seasoning are chile de árbol, guajillo and pasilla chilies.
The regular Tajin bottles have a medium high-heat. But I’ve also seen a habanero pepper flavor one; and there’s a low sodium versions available as well.
You can easily find it at the Hispanic aisle of your grocery store, Mexican food stores, and of course Amazon.
What To Use Instead of Tajin
If you don’t have access to Tajin seasoning don’t worry. Simply mix 4 Tablespoons of ground red chile powder with 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
You can taste and adjust the amounts to your personal taste. If anything this is a great way to control the amount of salt.
Important Tip
If you are using Tajin make sure to omit the salt or taste first before sprinkling any more salt over your pepinos.
Health Benefits of Cucumbers | They’re Super Healthy
Cucumbers, especially during the summer months, are great for hydrating our bodies. They are mostly water so they are perfect for hot days and to enjoy after a workout.
- Cucumbers are low in calories, and with that high water content, they’ll keep you feeling full.
- Contain antioxidants
- aid digestion
- help control blood sugar
- help with healthy blood pressure
- packed with Vitamin C and Vitamin K
- packed with Magnesium, potassium, manganese
How To Make Mexican Cucumbers Snack
The ingredient amounts are a personal choice. It depends how many people will enjoy the snack and how much chili or heat they each like.
When I make it just for me I use one large cucumber and about 1 Tablespoon or so of Tajin seasoning. Freshly squeeze lime juice is from one medium one.
- Start with fresh cucumber, regular is fine but English cucumbers work great too. Make sure it feels firm, using fresh ingredients is always best. Peel off all of the skin and discard or compost it.
- Using a sharp knife make cucumber slices or you can also cut into long sticks or any shape you want.
- Place the cucumber slices in a medium bowl or on a small plate. Then add a squeeze of lime juice over the slice. Add as much as you’d like.
- Sprinkle the cucumber with as much Tajin as you’d like. Or if you’re using ground chile powder add it to the cucumbers now. At this time you can also add the salt. Both the chili powder and salt are a matter of personal preference.
Perfect Flavor Combination
Pepinos con chile is a perfect combination of flavors for your taste buds, it’s like a little explosion of Mexican flavor!
You have the savory tones from the salt, spicy from the chile, tartness from the limes and a slight sweetness from the cucumbers.
Let’s not forget that great crisp texture of the cucumbers.
Mexican Cucumbers or Pepinos con Chile y Limon Are A Favorite of Mine
This healthy vegan snack always reminds me of my sisters and brothers.
How we would spend our summer days running around, cooling off at the pool, chasing after the ice cream truck, eating our favorite summer foods, and all the family picnics.
All of us love to eat cucumbers drizzled with fresh lime juice, sprinkled with loads of chili powder, and a pinch or two of salt.
After all the cucumbers were gone then we’d lift up the bowl to our mouths and drink the remaining juices. So delicious!
How to Serve Mexican Cucumbers
You can enjoy them during the summer months as a snack to help you beat the summer heat.
Serve them in bowls or in cups, whoever you’d like. The container matters much less than the delicious taste of these juicy cucumbers.
Make sure to have extra Tajin or chili powder and maybe some lime wedge at hand for those that want to add more seasoning as they eat.
Enjoy as a snack at home or take it to work or make a large batch for family gatherings or summer picnics.
Mexican Cucumber Recipe
There really isn’t much of a recipe. This isn’t one of those new recipes trying to reinvent the wheel. Ingredient amounts are a matter of personal preference. But below is what you’ll need.
I truly hope you make simple recipe and healthy snack because I do think it’ll become one of your favorite snacks.
How to Make Mexican Cucumber Snack | Cucumbers with Chile and Lime
Ingredients
- 1 whole cucumber sliced or cut into spears or chunks
- 1 whole lime juiced
- 1 Tablespoon Tajin Seasoning
- salt optional and to taste
Instructions
- Peel the cucumber, making sure to remove as much of the hard green peel as possible. Slice off the ends then slice into rounds or match sticks. Size and thickness is as desired.
- Place the cucumber in a bowl, then drizzle with fresh lime juice and sprinkle with as much Tajin as possible.
- Taste and add more lime or Tajin if desiered. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
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More Mexican Snacks to Try
What’s one of your favorite vegan snacks? Below are some delicious Mexican snacks to try.
- Pico de Gallo Salsa | Salsa Fresca
- Easy Mexican Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
- Cauliflower Ceviche | Best Vegan Ceviche Recipe
- How to Make Sopes
- Small Batch Guacamole Recipe
- Jicama with Lime Juice and Tajin
Nancy Lopez is a food blogger and author of the cookbook Mexican Tamales Made Meatless. Born in Mexico, raised in the US, and currently living in Southern Mexico, she has followed a meatless diet for almost 10 years. It is her passion and mission to share all she has learned about vegan Mexican cooking and vegetarian Mexican recipes. Mexican Made Meatless is a blog dedicated to preserving the authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine just without the meat. It’s a place to celebrate Mexican culture and all it’s delightfully delicious traditional foods. Read more…
A great combination! So fresh and summery.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks Rosa!
What lovely memories of summer! I love the flavors you paired with cucumbers here, a perfect bite!
Thank you Laura! The flavors are very typically Mexican.
Perfect summer treat! The pictures are making me to watch them over and over! Gorgeous shots…:)
Thank you so much:)
I have dozens of cucumbers in my garden that I don’t know what to do with. Thanks for this!
Hi Julie,
Oh too bad I’m not your neighbor, because I could help you with all those cucumbers:)
How many plates of these (or jícama) have I made for my son? Countless. Hundreds. A standard Mexican snack as in “Mom, do you think you could make me a snack plate of cucumbers with tajin?” Maybe thousands.
Hi Victoria,
Ay, no me digas de jicama! It’s my favorite but can’t get it here. Your son has great tastes;)
The watery freshness of cucumbers always remind me of growing up in tropical Philippines! We would suck on these veggies (or fruits) to keep us cool!
So Philippinos are just like Mexicans:)
I love this simple cucumber recipe…so delicious and refreshing on a hot summer’s day. I have those same sorts of childhood memories…most of it done with bare feet…such fun we had.
Hi Liz,
Me too, I like to let the cucumbers shine in the recipes. Oh yes, barefoot summers can’t forget that;)
mmm so lovely for the summer time. chile, lime, and salt are the trifecta of perfect seasoning.
It really is:) Thanks Anna
I hear you, I love the feeling of sun on my skin and summer is filled with great memories from childhood.
Thanks Sylvie:)
I missed my sisters too when I lived in Italy but fortunately we are all together again. I’m afraid I don’t like cucumber but I sure do like your photos.
That’s great and I’m happy for you Suzanne. It’s okay about not liking cucumbers, my hubby sides with you;)
Love cucumbers; love the simplicity of the very attractive salad! Fascinated by the black/gold-toned spoon and fork you have used. I collected similar in the olden days from Thailand – may I ask from where your beautiful pieces come? [or have I read too fast and missed this?]
Hi Eha,
Wow, I love how much attention you paid to my utensils and photos:) Yes, in fact they are from Thailand. Well, I actually bought them in a antique shop here in Prague, but they say Thailand. I don’t think they are actual antiques, didn’t cost too much, but I did fall in love with them.
Incredibly easy yet it’s completely new flavor on cucumbers that I’m so curious to try! I am with you – sometimes I miss my home and my family, but cooking really helps to cope with some homesickness. 🙂 Hope you get to see your family soon!
Yes really so easy and perfect for the summer. I feel the same way Nami. When I cook a childhood dish it comforts me and makes me feel like my family is close by. Then if my husband really enjoys the food then it makes it that much better. Thanks and I hope you too;)
What a stunning photos, i would love to grab the food.
Thanks!
Que rico! This looks really good especially since I am obsessed with cucumbers. There is such a cooling sensation about cucumbers!
Gracias Natalie!
Childhood food memories are so wonderful! I have never tried cucumbers this way… but I do eat mangos, pineapples and sour apples almost exactly like this…. Now I have to give my favorite cucumbers a spicy kick. 🙂
Hi Ramona,
They really are, good for the soul too. You eat fruit like Mexicans then:)
Hi Nancy! This post reminded me of my childhood summers. My sisters and I loved sliced cucumbers drizzled with lemon juice and sprinkled with salt. They were so refreshing. I would love to make your version soon–the chile and lime would be a hit with my taste buds, no doubt! 🙂
Hi Jean,
Thanks and I hope you try them soon:)
I have a pulse, he he, or at least I think that’s what it is. I’ve never tried the cucumbers with the lime and chile only the fruit. Need to change that, huh. I opened my windows to hear an owl hooting away this morning, that made me really happy. Been thinking about you and hoping all is well.
-Gina-
Haha Gina:) Oh how neat is that? I’ve never had an owl out my window. I’ve been thinking of you too. Hope you are okay, hugs!
What a simple and delightful recipe. Very happy to come across your blog!
Thanks Kelly:)
Gorgeous snack! So simple and healthy, but so pretty that it would feel like a very special occasion! You are brilliant, as always, Nancy 🙂
Thanks Elana:)
I could eat cucumbers every day, this simple recipe is perfect for summertime;-)
What a wonderful snack and sounds like such a perfect morning! Children do bring back the enthusiasm for such simple things that we often forget 🙂
What a great idea for a snack!
Thank you!
This is my childhood on a plate, love them!!
Mine too:)
Can’t wait to start picking cucumbers so that I can make this. It sounds like I snack I could eat every day.
Love Pepinos con chile y Limon, but I prefer cayenne and salt over tajin,
also like the cucumber with chammoy
I haven’t tried the chamoy with the pepinos, thanks I’ll have to give that a try.
So yummy!
Thank you Giangi!