Pineapple Cucumber Salad: The Ultimate Refreshing Side Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Pineapple Cucumber Salad perfect as a cooling side dish. This fresh salad combines juicy pineapple, crisp cucumber, zesty lime dressing, and a subtle hint of jalapeño for a delightful balance of sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors. Quick to prepare and ideal for summer meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh pineapple, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 large English cucumber, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, finely minced, seeds removed for less heat
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp honey or agave nectar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Dice the fresh pineapple and English cucumber into 1/2-inch pieces. Finely dice the red onion and mince the jalapeño, removing seeds if you prefer less heat. Chop the fresh cilantro.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced pineapple, cucumber, red onion, minced jalapeño, and chopped cilantro. Stir them gently to mix.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together fresh lime juice, olive oil, and honey or agave nectar. Season the dressing with salt and black pepper to your taste, whisking until well combined.
- Combine and Toss: Pour the prepared dressing over the pineapple and cucumber mixture. Gently toss everything together to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Rest and Serve: For the best flavor, cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish.
Notes
- For less spice, remove jalapeño seeds completely.
- Adjust the honey or agave nectar to taste depending on your preference for sweetness.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
- Add toasted nuts or seeds for extra crunch if desired.
- Garnish with additional cilantro before serving for a fresh presentation.
Keywords: Pineapple salad, cucumber salad, refreshing side dish, summer salad, no-cook salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad