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Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 71 reviews

Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad is a refreshing and flavorful salad featuring diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, crispy bacon, shredded cheese, and ranch dressing, all tossed with fresh dill. This easy-to-make salad is perfect as a side dish for BBQs, family dinners, or casual meals, offering a delightful combination of crunchy textures and creamy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 2 large cucumbers, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup red onion, finely chopped

Protein & Dairy

  • 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)

Dressing & Herbs

  • ½ cup ranch dressing
  • ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Vegetables: Begin by washing the cucumbers and tomatoes thoroughly. Dice the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces and halve the cherry tomatoes to create easy-to-eat salad components.
  2. Chop the Onion: Finely chop the red onion. This adds a zesty crunch and sharp flavor contrast to the salad.
  3. Cook the Bacon: If you are using raw bacon, cook it in a pan over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble into small pieces. If using pre-cooked bacon, simply crumble it without additional cooking.
  4. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion, mixing them gently.
  5. Add Bacon and Cheese: Mix in the crumbled bacon and shredded cheese of your choice, evenly distributing these rich ingredients throughout the salad.
  6. Dress the Salad: Pour the ranch dressing over the combined ingredients along with the chopped fresh dill. Stir carefully until all components are thoroughly coated with the dressing.
  7. Season: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference to enhance the flavors.
  8. Chill: Cover the salad bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator. Chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to become nicely chilled.
  9. Toss Before Serving: Before serving, give the salad a good toss to redistribute the dressing and ingredients evenly for the best flavor and texture with every bite.

Notes

  • Use fresh, in-season cucumbers and tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
  • For a lighter dressing, substitute traditional ranch with a Greek yogurt-based ranch.
  • Add extra crunch by including chopped bell peppers or shredded carrots.
  • Prepare the salad a few hours in advance for the flavors to meld, but add bacon just before serving to retain crispiness.
  • This salad keeps in the refrigerator for 2-3 days in an airtight container; avoid freezing as the texture may be compromised.
  • To make vegan, replace cheese with tofu or avocado, bacon with crispy chickpeas, and use plant-based ranch dressing.

Keywords: Cucumber Salad, Ranch Dressing, Bacon Salad, Easy Salad Recipe, Summer Salad, Low Carb Salad

Find it online: https://liamjayne.com/cucumber-ranch-crack-salad-recipe/