5 Ways to Use Your Mandoline Besides That Viral TikTok Cucumber Salad

If you’ve recently bought a mandoline slicer to participate in TikTok’s latest cucumber craze, you’re not alone. Social media trends can be both inspiring and overwhelming, often pushing us to invest in tools and products we might not have considered otherwise. 

As the fall approaches, cool cucumber salads might not be as crave-worthy. Does that mean you must put away your new mandoline until next summer? No way. There are plenty of ways you can use the tool to get your money’s worth all year. 

TikTok’s cucumber salad trend

This summer, TikTok’s food videos (known as “FoodTok”) took a cucumber detour thanks to influencer Logan Moffitt, affectionately known as the “Cucumber Guy.”

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His call to eat an entire cucumber sparked a trend that has captivated millions with its simple yet versatile recipes. From creamy dill variations to spicy jalapeño-infused mixes, Moffitt’s cucumber creations have amassed tens of millions of views, inspiring home cooks to embrace this humble vegetable in creative ways.

The trend isn’t just about the recipes; it’s about the presentation and the tools used. Moffitt’s signature move involves using a mandoline slicer to achieve those perfectly thin cucumber slices that give his salads their distinctive texture. 

Slicing the cucumber straight into its container, this method enhances both the visual appeal of the quick dishes he creates but also ensures uniformity in every bite. A good mandoline is central to this trend. But is this gadget worth the investment in the long run?

What is a mandoline slicer?

A mandoline slicer is a versatile kitchen tool designed to create precise, uniform slices of fruits and vegetables. Unlike traditional knives, mandolines offer adjustable settings that allow you to switch between different thicknesses and cuts, such as julienne or waffle patterns. This precision makes it an invaluable tool for amateur and professional chefs.

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Using a mandoline can significantly reduce prep time, especially when dealing with large quantities or when consistency is key to a recipe’s success. However, it’s essential to handle mandolines with care, as the sharp blades can pose safety risks if not used properly. 

Many modern mandolines come with safety features such as hand guards and non-slip bases to mitigate these risks, making them safer and more user-friendly.

Whether you’re slicing cucumbers for a trendy salad or preparing vegetables for a gourmet dish, a mandoline can really elevate your culinary game.

Fun ways to use your mandoline 

Ready to put some miles on your mandoline? Here are five ways to help you get your money’s worth.

1Shaved Brussels sprouts 

A fall-favorite vegetable, Brussels sprouts are delicious when halved and baked. However, if you’re looking to shave these cruciferous veggies down for salads, cutting them by hand is a painstaking experience. Luckily, a mandoline will help create thinly shaved sprouts in no time.

Shaved Brussels are a great veggie base for absorbing rich sauces while adding their signature flavor to dishes. 

Recipes to try: Vegan Shaved Brussels Sprouts With Za’atar, Lemon, and Pine Nuts and Shaved Brussels Sprouts With Creamy Mustard Sauce

2Cutting root vegetables 

Root vegetables are delicious but dense. While chopping them into chunks is easy, when you need thin slices (for even roasting or pickling) you must reach for a super sharp knife and spend some time on the cutting board. Or, you can reach for the mandoline to give you even, thin slices or strips in the time it takes for the oven to preheat. 

Recipes to try: Homemade Root Vegetable Crisps, Quick Pickled Rainbow Vegetables, and Vegan Ginger Udon Noodle Bowl

3Fennel made fabulous

Fennel is a delicious vegetable with a licorice-like flavor that makes a dish really pop in a way no other. However, adding raw fennel in large chunks overwhelms a dish.

Because fennel is such an awkward shape, slicing it into super thin strips is tough. Enter the mandoline, a great tool for getting just the right amount of fennel’s delicate flavor into dishes. 

Recipes to try: Vegan Shaved Fennel and Pink Grapefruit Salad With Cashew Dill Yogurt Dressing 

4Onions with fewer tears 

If you’ve ever cut an onion (or seen someone struggle through it), you know that it often comes with an unintended crying session. That’s because they release a chemical irritant called syn-propanethial-S-oxide when they are cut or bitten into. The solution if you want to keep eating onions? Minimize cutting time with a mandoline (and don’t touch your eyes). 

Recipes to try: Simple Cool Cucumber Salad With Red Onions and Vegan Sweet Potato and Sausage Enchiladas

5Vegan bacon

We love a salty slice of perfectly crispy bacon in a BLT or with a side of eggs—both plant-based, of course. Store-bought brands work great for bacon and if you’re looking to make your own, there are so many base possibilities to choose from, including tofu, seitan, rice paper, and tempeh.

Making veggies into bacon is entirely possible, too, and both carrot and cassava benefit from the use of a mandoline, which creates the thin slices necessary to soak up all that smoky marinade. 

Recipes to try: Vegan Bacon, Four Ways: Tofu, Mushroom, Cassava, and Almond 

Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and is always keeping an eye on all things vegan in her home city of San Francisco, CA and everywhere else.