Fresh & Zingy Crisp Cucumber Pepper Salad Recipe to Enjoy

Summers buzz with excitement when a zesty cucumber pepper salad enters the culinary scene.

Cool, crunchy cucumber pepper salad with vibrant bell peppers delivers a refreshing punch to any meal.

Crisp vegetables dance together, creating a harmony of textures and flavors that tantalize taste buds.

Chopped peppers add a delightful kick, while cucumbers provide a soothing backdrop to each bite.

The simple yet elegant combination makes this salad a perfect side dish for barbecues, picnics, or weeknight dinners.

Light, nutritious, and bursting with color, this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary experience.

You’ll want to keep this crowd-pleasing salad in your recipe arsenal for every summer gathering.

Tools for a Crisp & Colorful Salad

• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for slicing vegetables safely and efficiently.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for creating thin, even strips of cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for tossing vegetables and combining ingredients.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Helps blend dressing components into a well-combined, creamy mixture.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate amounts of honey, salt, and spices.
• Measuring Cups: Helps measure olive oil and vinegar precisely.

Tossing Together Cucumber Pepper Salad

• Chop Fresh Vegetables

Grab your cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onion. Slice them into delicate, slender strips that’ll make your salad look restaurant-worthy. Sprinkle some chopped parsley or cilantro for an extra flavor punch.

• Whip Up Zesty Dressing

In a small mixing bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, a dash of garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together until the mixture looks smooth and glossy.

• Combine and Marinate

Pour the vibrant dressing over your colorful veggie strips. Toss everything gently to ensure each piece gets coated with deliciousness. Let the salad rest for about 15 minutes so the flavors can dance and mingle.

• Serve and Savor

Present your cucumber pepper salad chilled or at room temperature. This refreshing side dish is perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or as a light accompaniment to your main course. Enjoy the crisp, tangy goodness!

Seasoning Ideas & Crunchy Add-Ins

• Crisp Cucumber Crunch: Use seedless or English cucumbers for an extra crisp texture that stays firm even after dressing.
• Herb Swap Magic: Experiment with different fresh herbs like dill, mint, or basil to transform the salad's flavor profile instantly.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: This salad can be prepared up to 4 hours in advance, making it perfect for gatherings and busy weeknights.
• Protein Power Boost: Add grilled chicken, feta cheese, or chickpeas to turn this side dish into a complete and satisfying meal.
• Spice Level Adjustment: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce for those who enjoy a spicy kick in their salad.

Serving This Salad Cool & Fresh

• Fresh Picnic Companion: Pack this vibrant salad in mason jars for a colorful outdoor meal that stays crisp and delicious during summer gatherings.
• Mediterranean Mezze Plate: Serve alongside grilled meats, hummus, and warm pita bread to create a stunning Mediterranean-inspired spread that highlights the salad's zesty flavors.
• Protein Power-Up: Top the salad with grilled chicken, crumbled feta cheese, or sliced hard-boiled eggs to transform it into a light yet satisfying main course perfect for lunch or dinner.
• Quick Meal Enhancer: Use as a bright side dish for grilled fish, roasted chicken, or as a topping for tacos to add instant freshness and crunch to your everyday meals.

Keeping Your Salad Crisp in the Fridge

• Quick Chill Zone: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the crisp texture and vibrant flavors intact.
• Flavor Boost Trick: Add fresh herbs just before serving to maintain their bright, zesty essence and prevent wilting during storage.
• Liquid Management Method: Drain any excess liquid that accumulates at the bottom of the container to prevent soggy vegetables and maintain the salad's crunch.
• Separation Strategy: Keep dressing separate from vegetables until right before serving if planning to store for more than a few hours, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing vegetable breakdown.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 4

Cucumber Pepper Salad Ingredient Snapshot

• Cucumber: Crisp and hydrating base that adds cool crunch and refreshing texture to the salad.
• Bell Peppers: Vibrant, sweet vegetables bringing colorful visual appeal and subtle peppery notes.
• Red Onion: Sharp, zesty ingredient that provides a bold bite and aromatic depth.
• Parsley/Cilantro: Bright herb that elevates freshness and adds herbaceous green flavor.

• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich liquid that binds ingredients and creates silky texture.
• Vinegar: Tangy acid that balances flavors and tenderizes vegetables.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that softens acidic notes and adds gentle roundness.
• Dijon Mustard: Creamy condiment that emulsifies dressing and brings complex, sharp undertone.

• Garlic Powder: Convenient spice that delivers concentrated savory warmth.
• Salt: Essential mineral that amplifies and harmonizes overall taste profile.
• Black Pepper: Subtle spicy element that adds gentle heat and aromatic complexity.

Crisp Cucumber Pepper Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mediterranean cucumber pepper salad brings zesty freshness to summer tables with crisp vegetables and tangy herbs. Mediterranean ingredients blend beautifully, creating a light, refreshing side dish you’ll crave alongside grilled meats or as a standalone lunch.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cucumbers (large, thinly sliced)
• 1 bell pepper (red, thinly sliced)
• 1 bell pepper (yellow, thinly sliced)
• ½ onion (red, thinly sliced)
• ¼ cup parsley or cilantro (fresh, chopped, optional)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
• 1 tsp (5 mL) honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Thoroughly cleanse and dry cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion, ensuring pristine vegetables for optimal salad texture.
2. Vegetable Slicing: Transform cucumbers and bell peppers into precise julienne strips, creating an artful and uniform presentation with elegant visual appeal.
3. Herbal Accent: Delicately mince parsley or cilantro, infusing the salad with a bright, aromatic essence that elevates the overall flavor profile.
4. Dressing Creation: Combine olive oil, vinegar, and honey in a mixing bowl, whisking vigorously to develop a silky, well-integrated emulsion that serves as the salad’s flavor foundation.
5. Flavor Layering: Introduce Dijon mustard and seasonings, including garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, expertly blending to craft a sophisticated and balanced dressing.
6. Marination: Gracefully drizzle the prepared dressing over the sliced vegetables, using a gentle tossing technique to ensure comprehensive and even coating, then allow the salad to rest for 15 minutes to develop deeper flavor dimensions.
7. Serving: Present the salad in a chilled serving dish, allowing the vegetables to showcase their vibrant colors and absorb the nuanced dressing, creating a refreshing and dynamic side dish suitable for various culinary occasions.

Notes

• Prep Precision: Ensure vegetables are thoroughly dried after washing to maintain crispness and prevent watery salad texture.
• Cutting Technique: Use sharp knife for uniform julienne strips, creating elegant presentation and even flavor distribution.
• Marination Magic: Let salad rest for 15-20 minutes to allow dressing to penetrate vegetables, enhancing overall taste profile.
• Dietary Flexibility: Swap honey with maple syrup for vegan version or use low-sodium alternatives for heart-healthy option.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg