Crispy Cucumber And Pepper Salad Recipe

Refreshing Crispy Cucumber and Pepper Salad Recipe for Summer

Crispy cucumber and pepper salad bursts with vibrant summer flavors that dance across your palate.

Fresh vegetables create a delightful crunch perfect for warm afternoons and casual gatherings.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly to craft simple produce into a remarkable dish.

Each colorful ingredient brings its own nutritional profile and distinct texture to the mix.

Light and refreshing, this salad offers a delightful alternative to heavy side dishes.

Our carefully balanced recipe combines tangy and cool elements that complement each other beautifully.

Simple preparation techniques ensure you can whip up this crowd-pleasing salad in minutes.

Ingredients for Crispy Cucumber and Pepper Salad

Fresh Vegetables:
  • Cucumber: Crisp and refreshing base for the salad, best when firm and bright green.
  • Bell Peppers: Adds vibrant color and sweet crunch, choose peppers that are glossy and firm.
Dressing Components:
  • Chili Oil: Provides a spicy kick and depth of flavor, select a high-quality oil with good heat.
Seasoning:
  • Bagel Seasoning: Brings savory and complex flavor profile, a blend of herbs and seeds for extra texture.

Easy Instructions for Crispy Cucumber and Pepper Salad

Step 1: Chop Fresh Vegetables

Carefully slice cucumber and peppers into uniform, thin pieces using a sharp knife. Aim for consistent, bite-sized cuts to ensure even flavor distribution and attractive presentation.

Step 2: Combine Vegetables

Transfer the chopped vegetables into a spacious mixing bowl, creating a colorful and vibrant base for your salad.

Step 3: Create Zesty Dressing

Generously pour the prepared dressing over the vegetables, using a gentle tossing motion to ensure every piece gets thoroughly coated with the flavorful sauce.

Step 4: Enhance with Seasonings

Drizzle chili oil and sprinkle bagel seasoning over the salad. Mix carefully to distribute the spices and add an extra layer of exciting flavor.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Optional: Sprinkle additional bagel seasoning on top for extra crunch and taste. You can serve immediately or let the salad chill for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and intensify. Enjoy your crisp and tangy cucumber pepper salad as a refreshing side dish or light meal.

Tips to Keep Your Crispy Cucumber and Pepper Salad Crunchy

  • Slice Veggies Precisely: Use a sharp knife or mandoline to create uniform, thin cucumber and pepper cuts for a consistent crunch and texture.
  • Drain Excess Moisture: Place chopped cucumbers on paper towels for 10 minutes to remove water and prevent a watery salad.
  • Balance Dressing Carefully: Mix dressing ingredients thoroughly and add gradually to control flavor intensity and prevent over-saturating the vegetables.
  • Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes to allow seasonings to meld and develop a more complex taste profile.
  • Customize Seasoning Levels: Adjust chili oil and bagel seasoning to personal heat preference, starting with small amounts and tasting as you go.

What Sets Crispy Cucumber and Pepper Salad Apart

  • Crunch Your Way to Freshness: This salad delivers an irresistible crisp texture with crunchy cucumbers and peppers that snap with every bite, creating a delightful sensory experience.
  • Zap of Flavor Excitement: The combination of chili oil and bagel seasoning transforms a simple vegetable mix into a bold, tangy treat that wakes up your taste buds with unexpected spice and seasoning complexity.
  • Super Quick Summer Solution: Requiring only minutes to prepare, this no-cook recipe is perfect for hot days when you want something refreshing, light, and effortlessly delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Customize Your Culinary Adventure: With flexible serving options like immediate enjoyment or a one-hour flavor-enhancing chill, this salad adapts to your mood and schedule, making it a versatile side dish for any occasion.

Storing and Reheating Crispy Cucumber and Pepper Salad

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the salad crisp by placing a paper towel on top to absorb excess moisture and prevent soggy vegetables.
  • Consumption: Enjoy cold straight from the fridge for the best texture and flavor. Gently stir before serving to redistribute the dressing and seasoning.
  • Freshness Tip: Best consumed within 24 hours for maximum crunch and taste. The cucumber and peppers will release water over time, which can make the salad slightly watery but still delicious.

Pairing Suggestions for Crispy Cucumber and Pepper Salad

  • Pair with Grilled Protein: Complement the cool, crisp salad with a hot-off-the-grill chicken breast or salmon fillet. The contrast between the crunchy vegetables and warm protein creates a delightful balance of temperatures and textures.
  • Match with Crisp White Wine: Select a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the salad's light, zesty profile. These wines' citrusy notes will beautifully highlight the cucumber's freshness and the dressing's tangy elements.
  • Serve Alongside Crusty Bread: Add a rustic sourdough or ciabatta to soak up the delicious dressing. The bread's hearty texture provides a satisfying counterpoint to the salad's crispness and helps turn this side dish into a more substantial meal.
  • Complement with Chilled Sparkling Water: For a non-alcoholic option, choose a sparkling water with a slice of lemon or cucumber. The bubbles and subtle citrus notes will mirror the salad's vibrant and refreshing character.

Fresh Takes on Crispy Cucumber and Pepper Salad

  • Mediterranean Medley: Swap cucumbers for zucchini, add kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and drizzle with oregano-infused olive oil for a Greek-inspired version.
  • Spicy Asian Kick: Replace bagel seasoning with toasted sesame seeds, add julienned carrots, sliced green onions, and swap chili oil for sriracha sauce to create an East Asian-style salad.
  • Herb Garden Fresh: Mix in fresh dill, mint, and parsley, then substitute chili oil with a light lemon vinaigrette for a bright, herbaceous salad that celebrates garden flavors.
  • Protein Power Boost: Incorporate diced grilled chicken or canned tuna to transform this side dish into a satisfying main course, perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner.
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Crispy Cucumber And Pepper Salad Recipe

Crispy Cucumber And Pepper Salad Recipe


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4.7 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Crispy Cucumber and Pepper Salad brings Mediterranean freshness to summer tables with its zesty blend of crunchy vegetables and tangy dressing. Garden-fresh ingredients combine perfectly, offering you a light, refreshing side dish that complements grilled meats and seafood delightfully.


Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables:

  • 45 Persian cucumbers, cut into rounds
  • 78 mini sweet bell peppers, sliced into rings
  • 2 large carrots, cut/peeled into ribbons or small pieces
  • 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced

Seasonings:

  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) everything bagel seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) chili crunch oil

Dressing:

  • 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) Asian miso ginger dressing (any brand)

Instructions

  1. Gather fresh cucumber and bell peppers, finely chopping them into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure balanced texture and even flavor distribution.
  2. Transfer the precisely chopped vegetables into a spacious mixing bowl, creating a colorful and crisp foundation for the salad.
  3. Craft a vibrant dressing and gently cascade it over the vegetable medley, using careful folding motions to guarantee complete and gentle coating of each ingredient.
  4. Introduce a drizzle of aromatic chili oil, followed by a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning, thoroughly mixing to infuse the salad with layers of zesty and savory notes.
  5. For maximum flavor development, consider two serving options: immediate presentation with an optional extra dusting of bagel seasoning, or refrigerate for approximately 60 minutes to allow the ingredients to harmonize and intensify their collective taste profile.

Notes

  • Prep your veggies quickly by using a sharp knife to ensure clean, even cuts for the best texture and presentation.
  • Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld together, creating a more intense and refreshing taste experience.
  • Customize the heat level by adjusting the amount of chili oil or omitting it entirely for a milder version.
  • Bagel seasoning adds a unique, savory crunch that elevates this simple cucumber and pepper salad.
  • Serve immediately for maximum crispness, or let it sit for an hour to develop deeper flavor profiles.
  • Best enjoyed within 24 hours to maintain the vegetables’ crisp texture and vibrant taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 85 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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