Description
This Zesty Mexican Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and vibrant mix of crisp cucumbers, sweet corn, colorful bell peppers, and zesty lime dressing. Perfect as a light side dish or a healthy snack, it features fresh cilantro and an optional kick of jalapeño for added flavor. Ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required, this salad is ideal for warm days or quick meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 cup cucumbers, sliced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 small jalapeño, finely chopped (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Wash and dry all the vegetables thoroughly. Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds or half-moons. Dice the red bell pepper and finely chop the red onion. If using fresh corn, cook it briefly and slice the kernels off the cob. Drain canned or thawed frozen corn thoroughly.
- Chop herbs and jalapeño: Finely chop the fresh cilantro. If including jalapeño, finely chop it as well, removing the seeds to reduce heat if desired.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add cucumbers, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. Toss the ingredients gently to mix evenly without bruising the vegetables.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as preferred.
- Toss salad with dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss well to ensure everything is coated evenly. Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature. Garnish with extra cilantro or lime wedges if desired for added freshness and presentation.
Notes
- Use fresh corn for best flavor, but canned or frozen corn works well in a pinch.
- Remove jalapeño seeds to reduce heat, or omit entirely for a milder salad.
- Allowing the salad to rest enhances the flavor integration but can be served immediately if needed.
- This salad is best consumed within a day for optimal freshness.
