Description
This Light and Zesty Pineapple Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish perfect for snacking or as a side. Combining the sweetness of fresh pineapple with the crispness of cucumber, accented by tangy lime dressing and a hint of heat from jalapeño, this salad offers a beautiful balance of flavors. Easy to prepare in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for warm days and can be served immediately or chilled for enhanced taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 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)
- 1/4 cup Feta Cheese (Optional, crumbled)
Dressing Ingredients
- 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. 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 desired.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed lime juice, honey or maple syrup, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until well combined and emulsified.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the pineapple, cucumber, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Add Feta and Toss: Add the crumbled feta cheese to the salad and give it a light toss to incorporate without breaking the cheese too much.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately for a fresh crunch or chill it in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with additional cilantro or a lime wedge if desired before serving.
Notes
- You can omit the jalapeño and red pepper flakes for a milder salad.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan option.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavors but serving immediately keeps the veggies crisper.
- Fresh lime juice is key for the bright, zesty dressing flavor.
- Feta cheese adds a salty tang but can be omitted or replaced with vegan cheese alternatives.
