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Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

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