Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad Recipe
A refreshing and flavorful Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad combining crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy red onion, crispy bacon, shredded cheese, and fresh dill, all tossed in creamy ranch dressing. Perfect as a light side dish or a tasty snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 large cucumbers, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
Add-ins
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
Dressing and Seasonings
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Begin by washing the cucumbers and cherry tomatoes thoroughly. Dice the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces and halve the cherry tomatoes to create fresh, crisp flavors for your salad.
- Chop the Onion: Finely chop the red onion to add a zesty crunch that complements the other vegetables and enriches the salad’s texture.
- Cook the Bacon: If using raw bacon, heat a pan over medium heat and cook the bacon strips until crispy. Once cooled slightly, crumble the bacon into small pieces. If using pre-cooked bacon, simply crumble it directly for easy prep.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion, creating the fresh base for your salad.
- Add Bacon and Cheese: Mix in the crispy crumbled bacon along with the shredded cheese of your choice, such as cheddar, to add savory richness and texture.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the ranch dressing over the vegetable and bacon mixture. Add the freshly chopped dill or dried dill, then stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Season: Taste the salad and add salt and pepper to your preference, balancing the flavors perfectly.
- Chill: Cover the salad tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld and intensify, enhancing the overall taste.
- Toss Before Serving: Before serving, give the salad a good toss to redistribute the dressing and ingredients evenly, ensuring every bite is delicious.
Notes
- Use cooked bacon for convenience or cook your own for fresher flavor.
- Feel free to substitute the shredded cheese with mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a cheese of your choice.
- To make this salad keto-friendly, ensure the ranch dressing is low-carb.
- For extra freshness, garnish with additional fresh dill before serving.
- This salad can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; however, cucumbers might release water over time.
Keywords: Cucumber salad, Ranch dressing, Bacon salad, Easy summer salad, Quick salad recipe
