Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad Recipe

Introduction

Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for warm days or as a tasty side. Combining crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and savory bacon with a creamy ranch dressing, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make.

Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
• ½ cup ranch dressing
• ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Wash the cucumbers and cherry tomatoes thoroughly. Dice the cucumbers and halve the cherry tomatoes.
2. Step 2: Finely chop the red onion to add a zesty crunch to the salad.
3. Step 3: Cook raw bacon in a pan until crispy, then crumble into small pieces. If using pre-cooked bacon, crumble it as is.
4. Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cucumbers, halved tomatoes, and chopped red onion.
5. Step 5: Add the crumbled bacon and shredded cheese to the bowl with the vegetables.
6. Step 6: Pour the ranch dressing over the mixture, add the chopped dill, and stir until everything is evenly coated.
7. Step 7: Season the salad with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
8. Step 8: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
9. Step 9: Before serving, toss the salad to redistribute the dressing and ingredients evenly.

Tips & Variations

• 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.
• Make the salad ahead of time but add bacon just before serving to keep it crispy.
• Try variations like adding fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley), fruits (apples, strawberries), or a spicy kick with jalapeños or hot sauce.
• Swap bacon for diced rotisserie chicken or chickpeas to boost protein.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days. It is best enjoyed chilled. Avoid freezing the salad because fresh ingredients may lose texture. If needed, prep vegetables separately from the dressing and bacon for longer freshness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of cheese?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with mozzarella, pepper jack, goat cheese, or any other cheese you enjoy for varying flavors.

How long can I leave this salad out?

To ensure freshness and food safety, do not leave the salad at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

What if I don’t like ranch dressing?

You can substitute ranch with your favorite dressing such as Caesar, vinaigrette, or a yogurt-based dressing to suit your taste.

Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 86 reviews

• Author: Olivia
• Total Time: 25 minutes plus 30 minutes chilling
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad is a refreshing, crunchy, and flavorful salad that combines crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, sharp red onions, crispy bacon, and shredded cheese with a creamy ranch dressing and fresh dill. This easy no-cook salad is perfect as a side dish or a light meal, offering a delightful mix of textures and tangy flavors with minimal prep time.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables

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

Meats and Cheese

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

Dressing and Herbs

• ½ cup ranch dressing
• ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)

Seasoning

• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Vegetables: Begin by washing the cucumbers and cherry tomatoes thoroughly. Dice the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces and halve the cherry tomatoes to ensure all pieces are easy to eat.
2. Chop the Onion: Finely chop the red onion to contribute a zesty crunch and balance the creaminess of the dressing.
3. Cook the Bacon: If using raw bacon, cook it in a pan over medium heat until it becomes crispy. Then crumble it into small pieces. If using pre-cooked bacon, simply crumble it without further cooking.
4. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion. Mix gently to combine.
5. Add Bacon and Cheese: Next, incorporate the crumbled crispy bacon and shredded cheese into the vegetable mixture, stirring gently to distribute evenly.
6. Dress the Salad: Pour the ranch dressing over the combined ingredients, then add the chopped fresh dill. Stir everything thoroughly so that the dressing coats all components evenly.
7. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning according to your preference, balancing the flavors.
8. Chill: Cover the salad and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the salad to become refreshingly cool.
9. Toss Before Serving: Before serving, give the salad a good toss to redistribute the dressing and ingredients for consistent flavor and texture in every bite.

Notes

• Use fresh, in-season cucumbers and tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
• For a lighter version, substitute traditional ranch dressing with a Greek yogurt-based ranch.
• Add extra crunch by including chopped bell peppers or shredded carrots.
• Prepare the salad ahead of time to allow flavors to meld, but add bacon just before serving to keep it crispy.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes (if cooking bacon fresh)
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad, cucumber salad, ranch dressing salad, bacon salad, easy summer salad, no-cook salad