Description
This Light and Zesty Pineapple Cucumber Salad is a refreshing, vibrant dish perfect for a healthy snack or a summer side. Combining sweet pineapple, crisp cucumber, and a tangy lime dressing with optional spicy jalapeño and creamy feta, it’s a delightful blend of flavors and textures ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Produce
- 1 medium Fresh Pineapple (Diced into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 large English Cucumber (Sliced into half-moons or small cubes)
- 1/2 medium Red Onion (Thinly sliced)
- 1 small Jalapeño (Optional, sliced thinly)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro (Chopped)
Dairy (Optional)
- 1/4 cup Feta Cheese (Optional, crumbled)
Pantry
- 3 tablespoons Lime Juice (Freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon Honey or Maple Syrup (For sweetness)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (High quality)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (To taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground)
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (Optional, for additional heat)
Instructions
- Preparation: Dice the fresh pineapple into bite-sized pieces for sweetness. Slice the English cucumber into half-moons or small cubes. Thinly slice the red onion and jalapeño if using. Chop the fresh cilantro and crumble the feta cheese if using.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed lime juice, honey or maple syrup for sweetness, high-quality olive oil, salt to taste, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want some extra heat. Mix until well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced pineapple, sliced cucumber, red onion, chopped cilantro, and jalapeño slices if using. Drizzle the dressing over the ingredients and toss gently to coat all the flavors evenly.
- Add Feta Cheese: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the salad if desired, folding it in gently for a creamy and tangy contrast to the fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately for a crisp, fresh taste or chill it in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together. Garnish with additional cilantro or a lime wedge before serving for an extra touch of freshness.
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness by altering the amount of honey or maple syrup to suit your taste.
- Omit jalapeño for a milder salad or add more for an extra kick.
- The feta cheese is optional; omit it to keep the salad dairy-free.
- This salad pairs beautifully with grilled meats or can be served as a light, standalone snack.
- Make sure to use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor.
