How to Make a Refreshing Cucumber Pepper Salad

Looking for a fresh, colorful, and incredibly simple dish? A cucumber pepper salad might be just what you need to brighten your plate and your palate. With its crisp texture and vibrant flavors, this quick salad is perfect for everything from lazy summer lunches to elegant dinner sides. Keep reading to discover how a few everyday ingredients can create something truly refreshing!

Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 1 small red onion
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Mixing spoon

Instructions

1. Wash your produce well: Start by giving your cucumbers and bell peppers a good rinse and pat them dry. This simple step enhances their natural crunch and ensures your salad tastes as fresh as possible.
2. Slice the cucumbers: You can go for thin rounds or half-moons depending on your preferred bite size. I like using English cucumbers for this because they have fewer seeds and thinner skin, but regular cucumbers will work just fine if you peel them.
3. Prep the peppers: Remove the stems and seeds, then slice them into thin strips or small chunks. Using two colors offers a beautiful contrast and a balance of sweetness and snap.
4. Add some onion zing: Peel and thinly slice the red onion. If you find raw onion too strong, soak the slices in cold water for about 5 minutes before adding them. This softens the flavor while keeping the crunch.
5. Combine the veggies: Add the cucumbers, peppers, and onions into a large mixing bowl. This trio is the perfect base, but feel free to sneak in extras like cherry tomatoes or radishes if you are feeling creative.
6. Whisk the dressing: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk until it looks creamy and well blended. The mustard helps emulsify the oil and vinegar into a smooth dressing.
7. Dress and toss: Pour the dressing over the veggies and use a spoon or your hands to gently toss everything together. Make sure every slice gets a little love from that zesty dressing.
8. Herbs are everything: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the salad and give it one more light toss. You can also use dill or basil depending on your flavor mood.
9. Let it rest: Set the salad aside for 5 to 10 minutes before serving so the flavors can develop. I love how the onion softens slightly and everything becomes even more vibrant.
10. Serve and enjoy: This salad is best served slightly chilled. It makes a bright companion to grilled fish or anything from the barbecue.

Description

Refreshing like a crisp breeze on a summer afternoon, cucumber pepper salad is the perfect side dish to brighten up any meal. With the cool crunch of fresh cucumbers mingling with the vibrant sweetness of bell peppers, this salad is a celebration of fresh produce in its purest form. The dressing brings it together with just the right touch of tang and zest, making each forkful taste like sunshine on your tongue.

This is a salad that feels like a backyard picnic or a vibrant farmer’s market compressed into a bowl. It is light yet flavorful, simple but memorable. Every bite brings a mix of textures and colors, making it as beautiful as it is delicious. Whether you are hosting a barbecue, planning a weeknight dinner, or just trying to eat more greens, this salad fits effortlessly onto your table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cucumber pepper salad is as easy to make as it is to love. With minimal prep and no cooking required, it comes together in under 15 minutes. You can easily customize it with your favorite herbs, vinegars, or even toss in some feta or chickpeas for added protein. It is gluten-free, dairy-free, and naturally low in calories, making it a healthy side dish option for nearly any diet.

Beyond flavor and convenience, this salad stores well in the refrigerator, making it ideal for meal prep and next-day lunches. Its bright and crisp character is a welcome contrast to heavier dishes like grilled meats or pasta. One bowl of this and you will understand how salad can be both refreshing and exciting.

Serving and Storage Tips

Serve this salad chilled or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, fish, or sandwiches and is perfect for summer gatherings or weekday lunches. To save time, you can prep the vegetables a day in advance and mix the dressing separately. Combine them just before serving to maintain the salad’s crunch.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cucumbers may release some liquid over time, so give the salad a quick stir before serving again. This recipe does not freeze well due to the high water content of the cucumbers and peppers.

Course, Cuisine, Keywords

Side Dish, American, cucumber salad, summer side dish, healthy salad, picnic ideas

Servings, Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time, Serving Size

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Serving Size: 1 cup

Nutrition per Serving

For extra flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan and do not skip the lemon zest. Leftovers keep well for 2 days in the fridge.

FAQ

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