Description
This Light and Zesty Pineapple Cucumber Salad offers a refreshing snack or side dish combining sweet pineapple, crisp cucumber, and a tangy lime dressing. Enhanced with optional jalapeño for heat and feta cheese for creaminess, this vibrant salad is quick to prepare and perfect for warm days.
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, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Lime Juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon Honey or Maple Syrup
- 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)
Instructions
- Preparation: Dice the fresh pineapple into bite-sized pieces to ensure easy eating. Slice the English cucumber into half-moons or small cubes for a crisp texture. Thinly slice the red onion and jalapeño if using, to add a mild pungency and optional heat. Chop the fresh cilantro finely and crumble the feta cheese if including it.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together freshly squeezed lime juice, honey or maple syrup for sweetness, olive oil for richness, salt to taste, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want additional heat. Mix until the dressing is emulsified and balanced.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced pineapple, sliced cucumber, red onion, chopped cilantro, and jalapeño slices if using. Drizzle the prepared lime dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly with the dressing, ensuring the flavors meld together.
- Add Feta and Chill: If desired, add the crumbled feta cheese on top and toss gently to combine. The salad can be served immediately for a crisp fresh taste or chilled in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes to develop deeper flavors. Garnish with extra cilantro or a lime wedge before serving.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeño and red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
- Use high-quality olive oil and fresh lime juice for the best flavor.
- Can be made vegan by omitting the feta cheese.
- Perfect as a light snack or a side dish for grilled meats or seafood.
