Description
Pineapple Cucumber Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The crispness of cucumber and the tropical sweetness of pineapple are complemented by a zesty lime dressing, making it a refreshing side dish or snack.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
1 large English cucumber, diced (or 2 Persian cucumbers)
¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional, for spice)
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, for a salty contrast)
For the Dressing:
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Dice the pineapple into bite-sized pieces, slice the cucumber into half-moons or small cubes, thinly slice the red onion and jalapeño (if using), chop the cilantro, and crumble the feta cheese (if using).
- In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- In a large bowl, combine the pineapple, cucumber, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. Drizzle with the lime dressing and toss gently to coat.
- Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese, if using.
- Serve immediately, or chill in the fridge for 15–30 minutes to let the flavors blend. Garnish with extra cilantro or a squeeze of lime before serving.
Notes
- For extra crunch, add chopped peanuts or cashews.
- If you prefer a milder flavor, soak the red onion in cold water for 5 minutes to reduce its sharpness.
- For a vegan option, skip the feta cheese and add avocado for creaminess.
- Swap honey for maple syrup for a slightly different sweetness.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prep it up to 6 hours ahead of time. Add the dressing just before serving to keep the ingredients crisp.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, but it’s best eaten the day it’s made.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg