Meet your new favorite side dish: the ultimate Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad. This recipe is the perfect blend of crisp, cool cucumbers and vibrant, sweet bell peppers, all tossed in a zesty, light vinaigrette. It’s the refreshing crunch you’ve been craving, ready in just 15 minutes. Whether you need a quick lunch, a simple dinner side, or a crowd-pleasing dish for a potluck, this salad delivers every time.
We designed this recipe to be incredibly simple without sacrificing flavor. You don’t need any fancy ingredients or complicated steps. Just fresh, wholesome vegetables and a dressing that comes together in seconds. It’s a no-cook recipe that’s perfect for warm weather or any day you need a quick and healthy option. Let’s dive in and make this delicious salad!
Why This Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad Recipe Works
You’ll fall in love with the simplicity and flavor of this Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad. It’s more than just a mix of vegetables; it’s a thoughtfully balanced dish that hits all the right notes.
- Incredibly Refreshing: The combination of crisp cucumbers and juicy bell peppers creates a wonderfully refreshing texture and taste that’s perfect for any season.
- Quick and Easy: With no cooking required, this salad comes together in about 15 minutes. It’s the ideal solution for busy weeknights or last-minute meal prep.
- Versatile Side Dish: This salad pairs beautifully with almost any main course. It’s light enough not to overpower the main dish but flavorful enough to stand on its own. It’s a fantastic companion to grilled meats like this Garlic Butter Steak.
- Healthy and Vibrant: Packed with fresh vegetables and a light vinaigrette, this salad is as nutritious as it is colorful. It’s a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this salad lies in its simple, fresh ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this crisp and vibrant Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad.
For the Salad
- English Cucumber: We use an English cucumber for its thin skin and minimal seeds, which means no peeling or de-seeding is required.
- Sweet Bell Peppers: A mix of colors like red, yellow, and orange not only adds visual appeal but also provides a range of sweet flavors.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a sharp, savory bite that complements the sweetness of the peppers.
For the Zesty Vinaigrette
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil forms the rich base of our dressing.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This adds the perfect tangy kick to balance the flavors.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Just a touch of sweetness to round out the vinaigrette. Use maple syrup for a vegan option.
- Dijon Mustard: Helps to emulsify the dressing and adds a layer of complex flavor.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides a pungent, aromatic boost.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste, to enhance all the other flavors.
How to Make Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad Step-by-Step
Ready to see how easy this is? Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and refreshing salad in minutes.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Start by washing and drying your vegetables. Slice the English cucumber into thin rounds. Core and seed the bell peppers, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the red onion.
- Combine the Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced cucumber, chopped bell peppers, and sliced red onion. Gently toss them together.
- Make the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables in the large bowl. Season with salt and black pepper to your liking.
- Toss and Serve: Gently toss the salad until all the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. For the best flavor, let the salad marinate for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the vegetables to absorb the delicious flavors of the dressing.
Tips for the Best Salad
A few simple tips can take your Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad from great to absolutely unforgettable.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The quality of your vegetables makes all the difference. Use the freshest, crispest cucumbers and peppers you can find.
- Slice Uniformly: Try to chop your vegetables into similar-sized pieces. This ensures you get a perfect mix of flavors and textures in every bite.
- Don’t Overdress: Start with about half the dressing and add more as needed. You want to coat the vegetables, not drown them.
- Let it Marinate: Allowing the salad to sit for 10-15 minutes before serving gives the flavors time to meld together for a more delicious result.
Variations and Substitutions
This Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad is fantastic as is, but it’s also incredibly easy to customize. Here are a few ideas to make it your own.
- Add Some Herbs: Fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or cilantro can add another layer of freshness.
- Include Some Protein: Make it a more substantial meal by adding grilled chicken, chickpeas, or crumbled feta cheese. It would be a great addition to a Grilled Shrimp Bowl.
- Spice it Up: For a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing or toss in some sliced jalapeños.
- Switch Up the Veggies: Feel free to add other fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, corn, or avocado. If you love fresh summer salads, you should also check out our Summer Kale Salad.
What to Serve With This Salad
This versatile salad pairs well with a wide variety of main courses. It’s the perfect refreshing counterpoint to rich or savory dishes.
- Grilled Meats: Perfect alongside grilled chicken, steak, or pork chops.
- Seafood: Excellent with grilled salmon, shrimp skewers, or a simple baked cod.
- Barbecue: A classic side for burgers, ribs, and pulled pork sandwiches.
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Serve it as a light and crunchy side to your favorite sandwich, like a chicken cheesesteak.
How to Store Leftovers
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The cucumbers will release some water and soften slightly over time, but it will still be delicious.
For best results when making ahead, prepare the vegetables and dressing separately. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge and combine just before serving to maintain maximum crispness.
Yes, you can prepare the components ahead of time. Chop the vegetables and mix the dressing, but store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Combine and toss them just before serving to ensure the salad stays crisp.
Once dressed, the salad is best eaten within 24 hours. You can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days, but the cucumbers will soften over time.
The salad can easily be made vegan by substituting the honey in the vinaigrette with maple syrup or agave nectar. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan.
If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can substitute it with white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or fresh lemon juice for a similar tangy flavor.
This salad is very versatile! You could add cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, avocado, or even some chopped celery for extra crunch. Feel free to experiment with your favorite fresh vegetables.
Yes, you can prepare the components ahead of time. Chop the vegetables and mix the dressing, but store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Combine and toss them just before serving to ensure the salad stays crisp.
Once dressed, the salad is best eaten within 24 hours. You can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days, but the cucumbers will soften over time.
The salad can easily be made vegan by substituting the honey in the vinaigrette with maple syrup or agave nectar. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan.
If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can substitute it with white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or fresh lemon juice for a similar tangy flavor.
This salad is very versatile! You could add cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, avocado, or even some chopped celery for extra crunch. Feel free to experiment with your favorite fresh vegetables.
More Delicious Recipes
If you enjoyed this fresh and easy Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad, be sure to explore some of our other popular recipes! There’s always something new and delicious to try.
Did you make this recipe? We’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and rating below. Your feedback helps us and other readers. And don’t forget to share your creation and tag us on Pinterest!
Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad: The Ultimate Refreshing Side Dish
This Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad is a crisp, vibrant, and refreshing side dish that's ready in just 15 minutes. A perfect blend of cool cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, and a zesty vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Vegetables: Start by washing and drying your vegetables. Slice the English cucumber into thin rounds. Core and seed the bell peppers, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the red onion.
- Combine the Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced cucumber, chopped bell peppers, and sliced red onion. Gently toss them together.
- Make the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables in the large bowl. Season with salt and black pepper to your liking.
- Toss and Serve: Gently toss the salad until all the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. For the best flavor, let the salad marinate for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Tip 1: For the best flavor, use fresh, high-quality vegetables. The crispness of the cucumber and peppers is key.
Tip 2: Feel free to customize by adding fresh herbs like dill or parsley, or make it a meal with crumbled feta cheese or chickpeas.
Tip 3: Store the dressing and chopped vegetables separately if making ahead to maintain maximum crunch.
Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad: The Ultimate Refreshing Side Dish
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Vegetables: Start by washing and drying your vegetables. Slice the English cucumber into thin rounds. Core and seed the bell peppers, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the red onion.
- Combine the Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced cucumber, chopped bell peppers, and sliced red onion. Gently toss them together.
- Make the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables in the large bowl. Season with salt and black pepper to your liking.
- Toss and Serve: Gently toss the salad until all the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. For the best flavor, let the salad marinate for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Tip 2: Feel free to customize by adding fresh herbs like dill or parsley, or make it a meal with crumbled feta cheese or chickpeas.
Tip 3: Store the dressing and chopped vegetables separately if making ahead to maintain maximum crunch.
