Description
This refreshing Pineapple Cucumber Salad combines sweet pineapple and crisp cucumber with a zesty lime dressing, making it a perfect light side dish for summer gatherings. Packed with nutrients and vibrant flavors, it’s easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium ripe pineapple, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional for heat)
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel the pineapple by cutting off the top and bottom, then standing it upright and slicing down the sides. Cut into quarters, remove the core, and dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Peel the cucumber (optional to leave some skin on), slice in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and chop into small cubes.
- Cut the red bell pepper in half, remove seeds and membranes, and dice into small pieces.
- Finely chop the red onion. If too strong, soak in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor.
- Rinse the cilantro under cold water, shake off excess, and chop coarsely.
- Slice the jalapeño in half, remove seeds, and mince finely. Wash hands after handling.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced pineapple, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and jalapeño (if using).
- Add the chopped cilantro.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, and honey (if using).
- Pour the dressing over the salad mixture, starting with half and adding more to taste.
- Gently toss the salad until well coated, being careful not to mash the ingredients.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- This salad can be made a few hours in advance, making it perfect for parties.
- Feel free to adjust the ingredients based on your preferences; add more vegetables or herbs as desired.
- For a vegan option, use agave syrup instead of honey.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes