Zesty Cucumber Salad Recipe
Introduction
This Zesty Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and tangy side that’s perfect for warm days or whenever you want a light, flavorful dish. Crisp cucumbers combined with sweet onion and a hint of jalapeño make it both vibrant and versatile.
Ingredients
- 3 large cucumbers, peeled, sliced, and quartered
- ½ sweet onion, finely chopped (about ½ cup)
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
- 1 packet (28g) dry ranch dressing mix
- ½ cup (120mL) rice vinegar
Instructions
- Step 1: Place the cucumbers, chopped sweet onion, and jalapeño (if using) into a medium-sized bowl. Stir to combine evenly.
- Step 2: Sprinkle the dry ranch dressing packet over the vegetable mixture, then drizzle with rice vinegar. Stir gently until all ingredients are fully coated.
- Step 3: Cover the salad and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- Step 4: Serve chilled as a crisp side dish or use it as a dip for crackers, chips, or bread.
Tips & Variations
- For a dip or salsa-style salad, chop or dice the cucumbers instead of slicing and quartering.
- If using English cucumbers, adjust to 2 large or 8 small to match volume.
- Sweet onion is preferred for its mildness, but red onion can be used if desired for a sharper flavor.
- Keep some jalapeño seeds if you want more heat; omit or replace with green bell pepper for no spice.
Storage
Store the salad covered tightly in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for up to 4 days. Before serving leftovers, give it a gentle stir. For best taste, enjoy chilled without reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, the salad benefits from chilling for at least an hour to develop its flavors, and it keeps well for up to 4 days refrigerated.
What can I use if I don’t have ranch dressing mix?
You can substitute with your favorite dry seasoning blend, but ranch mix gives the salad its characteristic tangy and creamy flavor.
PrintZesty Cucumber Salad Recipe
This Zesty Cucumber Salad is a refreshing side dish that combines crunchy cucumbers, sweet onions, and a hint of jalapeño with a tangy ranch and rice vinegar dressing. Perfect for a light snack or accompaniment, it’s quick to prepare and offers a delightful balance of flavors with minimal ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 3 large cucumbers, peeled then sliced and quartered
- ½ sweet onion, finely chopped (about ½ cup)
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
Dressing
- 1 packet (28g) dry ranch dressing mix
- ½ cup (120mL) rice vinegar
Instructions
- Combine vegetables: Place the cucumbers, sweet onion, and jalapeño pepper (if using) into a medium-sized bowl. Stir together gently to mix all the chopped ingredients evenly.
- Add dressing: Sprinkle the dry ranch dressing packet over the cucumber and onion mixture. Drizzle the rice vinegar on top, then stir gently until all the ingredients are fully coated with the dressing for even flavor distribution.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. This salad can be served as a cool side dish or as a dip alongside crackers, chips, or bread.
- Store leftovers: Keep any leftover salad covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Cucumbers: For a dip or salsa consistency, chop or dice cucumbers instead of slicing and quartering. If using English cucumbers, use 2 large or 8 small cucumbers for equivalent volume.
- Onion: Sweet onion is preferred for a milder taste, but red onion or any onion you prefer can be used.
- Jalapeño: To adjust heat, keep some seeds for more spice or substitute with ¼ green bell pepper or omit entirely for no heat.
Keywords: zesty cucumber salad, cucumber side dish, ranch cucumber salad, easy cucumber salad, rice vinegar salad, summer salad, no cook salad
