Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad Recipe

Introduction

Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish combining crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy ranch dressing, and savory bacon. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for summer gatherings or as a tasty side to your favorite meals.

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: Begin by washing the cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. Dice the cucumbers and halve the tomatoes.
2. Step 2: Finely chop the red onion to add a zesty crunch to your salad.
3. Step 3: Cook raw bacon in a pan until crispy, then crumble it into small pieces. If using pre-cooked bacon, simply crumble it.
4. Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped red onion.
5. Step 5: Add the crumbled bacon and shredded cheese to the vegetables and mix well.
6. Step 6: Pour ranch dressing over the mixture and add the chopped dill. Stir everything gently until well coated.
7. Step 7: Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting according to your preference.
8. Step 8: Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
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 ranch with Greek yogurt-based ranch.
• Add extra crunch by including chopped bell peppers or shredded carrots.
• Prepare the salad a few hours ahead 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.
• Substitute bacon with diced rotisserie chicken or chickpeas for a protein boost or vegan option.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Avoid freezing, as fresh vegetables and dressing can lose texture. For longer storage, prepare vegetables separately from the dressing and bacon. Serve chilled and toss before eating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of cheese?

Absolutely! You can substitute cheddar with mozzarella, pepper jack, goat cheese, or any cheese you prefer to change the flavor profile.

How long can I leave this salad out?

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

Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 62 reviews

Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad is a refreshing, crunchy, and flavorful salad that combines diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, crispy bacon, shredded cheese, and a creamy ranch dressing, enhanced with fresh dill. This easy-to-make salad requires no cooking time and is perfect for a quick lunch or side dish at any gathering. The combination of textures and tastes makes it a crowd-pleaser that’s versatile and customizable to your preferences.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Lunch
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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 & Herbs

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

Seasoning

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Vegetables: Begin by thoroughly washing the cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. Dice the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces and halve the cherry tomatoes evenly.
2. Chop the Onion: Finely chop the red onion to add a zesty crunch that complements the other fresh ingredients.
3. Cook the Bacon: If using raw bacon, cook it in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Allow to cool, then crumble into small pieces. If using pre-cooked bacon, simply crumble it.
4. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped red onion.
5. Add Bacon and Cheese: Mix in the crumbled bacon and shredded cheese your choice to the vegetable mixture.
6. Dress the Salad: Pour the ranch dressing over the salad and add the chopped fresh dill. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
7. Season: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting according to your preference.
8. Chill: Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
9. Toss Before Serving: Before serving, give the salad a good toss to redistribute the dressing and ingredients, ensuring every bite is flavorful.

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 ahead of time but add bacon just before serving to keep it crispy.
• Storage: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for 2-3 days; do not freeze the assembled salad.
• Customize by adding herbs like cilantro, fruits like apples or strawberries, or swap bacon for rotisserie chicken or chickpeas.

Keywords: Cucumber salad, Ranch salad, Bacon salad, Cheese salad, Easy salad recipe, Summer salad, Quick lunch, Refreshing salad