Cucumber canapés are classic party finger foods that always please a crowd! These easy entertaining recipes with shrimp can be customized to help your next party stand out.
Shrimp is one of my favorite foods in the entire planet, and I'm the only one in my family who eats shrimp. Do you know what that means? More for me!
It also means that any chance I get to cook with shrimp for guests, I take it. There are so many delicious, easy shrimp appetizers, shrimp side dishes, and shrimp main dishes and it makes me so happy when I get the opportunity to make a big batch for others who love shrimp as much as I do.
One party appetizer that I've been making for several years is a classic cucumber cup canapé with shrimp and cream cheese.
What is a canapé?
When I started throwing parties in my twenties, I kept seeing three main terms being thrown about in the world of party planning: canapés, hors d'oeuvres, and appetizers. They are all, basically, the same thing and are often used interchangeably.
However, some food folks will tell you that canapés tend to refer to finger food that can be eaten in one bite. This cucumber canapé dish can definitely be considered one-bite appetizers and fast finger food.
Shrimp Cream Cheese Cucumber Canapés Two Ways
I like to make both of these versions of this super easy, fast, delicious Shrimp Cream Cheese Cucumber Canapé dish. The first uses larger shrimp and cucumber slices; the second consists of bay shrimp with cucumber cups.
Shrimp and Cucumber Canapés AND Shrimp & Cream Cheese Cucumber Cups
Ingredients
For Shrimp & Cucumber Coins
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 finely minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped cilantro
- 1 large cucumber peeled and sliced into ¼ inch slices
- 1 cup herb cream cheese commonly found as chive cream cheese; use dairy or non-dairy
- 24 medium pre-cooked shrimp deveined and tails off
For Shrimp & Cucumber Cups
- 2 large cucumbers peeled and sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups herb cream cheese
- ½ pound of pre-cooked bay shrimp
- 2 green onion stalks sliced into ½-inch pieces
Instructions
To Make Shrimp & Cucumber Coins
- In a large bowl, mix together olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and cilantro.
- Add shrimp and mix together until shrimp is coated with the marinade; refrigerate for 5-10 minutes.
- Lay out cucumber slices - the cucumber "coins" - onto a serving tray in a single layer.
- Place cream cheese into a plastic Ziplock bag with one corner cut. You can also use a fancy icing piper for this to create a pretty pattern.
- Gently squeeze out about a tablespoon full of the herb cream cheese onto each cucumber coin.
- Top with one medium pre-marinated shrimp.
- Serve immediately.
To Make Shrimp & Cucumber Cup Canapés
- Using a melon baller or small spoon, carefully scoop out the center of each cucumber piece, taking care not to scoop through to the bottom.
- Place cream cheese into a pastry bag with fancy piping tip or into a ziplock bag with a corner cut out. Fill each cucumber cup with cream cheese, just past the top of each slice.
- Top each filled cucumber cup with 1-3 bay shrimp and one green onion piece.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
You can use frozen pre-cooked shrimp that is thawed, buy pre-cooked shrimp from your grocery store's meat & seafood department the day you are serving this, or you can even buy pre-cooked, pre-marinated shrimp at the grocery store. I love the lime garlic shrimp at the Costco deli! Option #2: Makes approximately 15-20 individual canapés.
You can usually find pre-cooked bay shrimp in your grocery store's seafood department. You can also use frozen pre-cooked bay shrimp instead; just make sure you thaw it out accordingly before serving.
Bonus: Vegetarian Cucumber Canapés!
Another detail that I love about these canapés is that it's so easy to make them vegetarian!
Simply leave the shrimp off. If you are making both the shrimp version and the vegetarian version, remember that some vegetarians do not eat food that has also been prepared with the same kitchen tools or on the same appliances as the meat versions, so I like to make sure I am using different knives, cutting boards, and serving trays if I offer both the seafood and the vegetarian options. Just to be safe and ensure everyone enjoys these delectable little treats!
Have you made any of these versions of shrimp and cucumber canapés before? What's your favorite one-bite finger food at parties?
Mary @ Vindulge says
Yum! Those look super simple and delicious (not to mention refreshing!). One question though, are you buying pre-cooked shrimp for the first one or does the shrimp "cook" in lime marinade (like ceviche)???
I can totally see my kids eating these too. They've just gotten into shrimp and are huge cucumber fans (wohoo!). And seriously, who doesn't love cream cheese?
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Excellent question, Mary! Thank you for pointing that out! I've edited the recipe to clarify. You *can* cook the shrimp if you leave it in the marinade for 30 minutes or more. However, I prefer to buy pre-cooked shrimp and, even better, buy pre-cooked and pre-marinated shrimp at Costco! It's so good! :) I'm jealous that your kids love shrimp. I'm still working on mine, but in the meantime, more for me! ;)
Pech says
Ooo, I've made the vegetarian version before: I like how the cucumber is refreshing and goes well with many beverages and is friendly to gluten-free friends too. But somehow I have never thought to fancy it up with shrimp too, thanks for the idea!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
The cucumber cream cheese canapés are really refreshing! Perfect for summer, and with a glass of bubbly or sparkling soda :) Thanks, Pech!
Katie Bartz says
Those look absolutely delicious!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Katie!
Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says
I'm a big fan of shrimp too! I love how elegant these look - so tasty too!
Citra Kale @Citra's Home Diary says
It looks superb Mar;ynn!The recipe sounds easy and worth to try.
Tasha says
OMG! This looks yummy! I'm a huge shrimp lover myself and will definitely have to try this out for my next get together.
Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen) says
These are so pretty, so easy, and look so delicious! I love simple, elegant bites like these. :o)
Rachel Lloyd says
Catching up on this thread from last week! These look delish and professional. A great way to make an app but have it look like you slaved away! They are so pretty with the contrast of colors as well.
Jhon Smith says
These recipes are very easy to make and it has a great texter. Thanks for sharing these 2 beautiful and delicious Canapes recipes with us.
Janet says
I have made something similar but with smoked salmon. A sprig of dill looks nice with the salmon.