Description
A light and zesty pineapple cucumber salad that combines fresh, juicy pineapple with crisp cucumber, red onion, and a tangy lime dressing for a refreshing and healthy snack or side dish.
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: Gather all the fresh ingredients. Dice the fresh pineapple into bite-sized pieces to ensure every bite bursts with sweetness. Slice the English cucumber into half-moons or small cubes for texture.
- Vegetable prep: Thinly slice the red onion and jalapeño if you choose to include it for some heat. Chop the fresh cilantro finely and crumble the feta cheese if using, setting them aside for topping.
- 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, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes for a touch of spice. This vibrant dressing balances acidity and sweetness perfectly.
- Combine the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced pineapple, cucumber slices, thinly sliced red onion, chopped cilantro, and jalapeño slices. Drizzle the prepared dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients with the zesty dressing. Add the crumbled feta cheese on top if desired.
- 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 beautifully. Garnish with additional cilantro leaves or a lime wedge to enhance the presentation and flavor before serving.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but can be chilled for up to 2 hours to enhance flavor melding.
- Adjust the jalapeño quantity or omit it based on your preferred spice level.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan-friendly option.
- Feta cheese is optional but adds a nice salty contrast to the sweetness of the pineapple.
- This salad pairs well as a light side dish or a refreshing snack during warm weather.
