Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad Recipe
This Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad is a refreshing and flavorful blend of crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, savory bacon, and shredded cheese, all tossed in a creamy ranch dressing with fresh dill. Perfect as a side dish or light meal, this easy-to-make salad combines crunchy textures and a delightful mix of tangy and savory flavors for an irresistible summertime treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 large cucumbers, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
Protein & Cheese
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
Dressing & Seasoning
- 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 for a fresh, juicy texture.
- Chop the Onion: Finely chop the red onion to add a zesty crunch that complements the other fresh ingredients perfectly.
- Cook the Bacon: If using raw bacon, cook it in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then drain and crumble it into small pieces. For pre-cooked bacon, simply crumble it directly.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion, creating the salad base.
- Add Bacon and Cheese: Mix the crumbled bacon and shredded cheese into the bowl with the vegetables, adding savory depth and richness.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the ranch dressing over the combined ingredients along with the chopped fresh dill. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure even coating.
- Season: Add salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. Mix again to incorporate the seasoning evenly.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld and deepen.
- Toss Before Serving: Before serving, give the salad a good toss to redistribute the dressing and ingredients evenly for a deliciously balanced bite every time.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon or substitute with crispy fried tempeh or smoked tofu.
- Use low-fat ranch dressing to reduce calorie and fat content.
- This salad can be prepared a few hours in advance and kept chilled in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Adjust the amount of dill based on your preference for herbaceous flavors.
- Feel free to swap cheddar cheese with mozzarella or Monterey Jack for a different cheese profile.
Keywords: Cucumber salad, ranch dressing salad, bacon salad, easy summer salad, crunchy salad, cheese salad, picnic salad, cucumber ranch crack salad
Find it online: https://islawhite.com/cucumber-ranch-crack-salad-recipe/
