Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad Recipe
Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad is a refreshing and flavorful cold salad combining crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, sharp red onion, crispy bacon, and shredded cheese all tossed in creamy ranch dressing with fresh dill. Perfect as a side dish or light meal, this easy no-cook recipe bursts with zesty, savory flavors and crunchy textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (if cooking bacon from raw)
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 large cucumbers, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
Dressing and Seasoning
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Begin by washing the cucumbers and cherry tomatoes thoroughly. Dice the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces and halve the cherry tomatoes to ensure easy eating and even dressing coverage.
- Chop the Onion: Finely chop the red onion to add a zesty crunch and a slight sharpness that balances the flavors of the salad.
- Cook the Bacon: If using raw bacon, cook it in a pan over medium heat until crispy, then transfer to a paper towel to drain excess fat before crumbling into small pieces. For pre-cooked bacon, simply crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped red onion ensuring all fresh vegetables are together for easy mixing.
- Add Bacon and Cheese: Mix in the crumbled bacon and shredded cheese of your preference, distributing them evenly for combined texture and flavor in every bite.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the ranch dressing over the vegetable and bacon mixture. Add the chopped fresh dill (or dried dill) to infuse the salad with a bright, herbal note. Stir gently but thoroughly until everything is well-coated.
- Season: Taste the salad and add salt and pepper as needed, adjusting to your personal preference to enhance the flavors without overpowering the fresh ingredients.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld and the salad to become more refreshing.
- Toss Before Serving: Just before serving, give the salad a good toss to redistribute the dressing and combine any settled ingredients ensuring consistent flavor throughout.
Notes
- This salad is best served chilled to enjoy the fresh and crisp textures.
- You can substitute the bacon with turkey bacon for a lighter option.
- Use your favorite shredded cheese; cheddar gives a classic flavor while pepper jack can add a spicy twist.
- For a dairy-free version, choose a dairy-free ranch dressing and omit the cheese.
- Make it a day ahead to allow even better flavor integration but keep refrigerated.
Keywords: cucumber salad, ranch dressing salad, bacon salad, fresh summer salad, easy side dish
Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/cucumber-ranch-crack-salad-recipe/
