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A close-up shot of the Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad in a serving bowl, highlighting the crisp texture of the sliced cucumbers and colorful peppers.

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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 110
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 English cucumber thinly sliced
  • 2 large sweet bell peppers a mix of red, yellow, or orange, chopped
  • 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
For the Zesty Vinaigrette
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Small bowl or jar
  • 1 Chef's Knife

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. Combine the Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced cucumber, chopped bell peppers, and sliced red onion. Gently toss them together.
  3. 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.
  4. Dress the Salad: Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables in the large bowl. Season with salt and black pepper to your liking.
  5. 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.