Description

This Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for warm days or as a vibrant side. Crisp cucumbers combined with creamy ranch dressing, sharp cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon create a delightful mix of textures and tastes. Enhanced with fresh vegetables and herbs, this salad is easy to prepare and offers an irresistible combination of savory and fresh flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

2 English cucumbers (or regular cucumbers if unavailable), thinly sliced
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4 green onions, chopped
1 cup bell peppers (red or yellow), diced
2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried herbs)

Dressing and Toppings

1/2 cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade, yogurt-based for a lighter version)
6 slices crispy bacon (or turkey bacon or 1 cup crispy chickpeas for vegetarian option)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Prepare Cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers thoroughly and slice them into thin rounds or half-moons based on your preference. Place the sliced cucumbers into a large mixing bowl.
Cook Bacon: If using bacon, cook it in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Then crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
Chop Vegetables: While the bacon cools, chop the green onions and bell peppers. Add these chopped vegetables to the bowl with the cucumbers.
Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the cucumber and vegetable mixture.
Toss with Dressing: Pour the ranch dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss to combine, taking care not to mash or bruise the cucumbers.
Combine Bacon and Herbs: Add the crumbled bacon and fresh herbs to the salad. Mix lightly again to distribute evenly. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
Chill and Serve: For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled and enjoy this refreshing, savory salad.

Notes

For a vegetarian option, replace bacon with crispy chickpeas to maintain the crunch and flavor.
Using English cucumbers provides a milder taste and fewer seeds, but regular cucumbers work well too.
Homemade yogurt-based ranch dressing lowers calories while maintaining creaminess.
Chilling the salad before serving enhances the melding of flavors.
You can customize the herbs based on availability; fresh dill, parsley, or dried herbs all work well.