September 17, 2024

Cucumber Chipotle Salad

Lunch

This Cucumber Chipotle Salad is the ultimate healthy, refreshing side that will steal the show at every potluck, picnic, and barbecue! This salad has veggies, bright herbs, and a zingy Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette for the perfect pair! You can whip it up in about 20 minutes, making it the perfect make-ahead dish to take the stress out of meal prep.

Combining crunchy Persian cucumbers, crisp bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, zippy red onions. All of this is beautifully dressed with a honey chipotle vinaigrette that balances sweetness and a smoky kick.

Why You’ll Love This Cucumber Salad

  • Mexican Inspired: Picture a rainbow of fiesta veggies—zesty cilantro, and sweet corn, all drizzled with a sweet and smoky Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette. Trust me, everyone will be craving this salad!
  • No One-Note Salad: This isn’t your average cucumber salad. The flavors are complimentary while adding a punch!
  • Light & Flavorful Dressing: Forget drowning your salad in heavy dressings; a kiss of lime in this vinaigrette lets the fresh flavors shine through beautifully.
  • Easy to Make: If you can chop and whisk, you can make this Cucumber Salad in less than 25 minutes!
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Chop the veggies and whisk together the dressing up to 24 hours in advance, then combine when you’re ready to serve. No last-minute stress here!

Ingredients:

For the Cucumber Salad:

  • 6 cocktail cucumbers, chopped
  • 8 cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tbsp corn (canned or fresh)
  • 1/4 bell pepper, chopped (red, orange, or yellow)
  • 1 tbsp red onion, minced
  • 1/2 avocado, diced
  • 1 tbsp minced cilantro
  • 1 tbsp minced mint (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Have a Dressing on hand: I love this Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette over this salad

  1. Chop the Veggies: In a large bowl, combine the chopped cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, corn, bell pepper, red onion, avocado, cilantro, and mint.

  1. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette over the veggie mixture. Toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
  2. Serve: Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. This salad is best served fresh!

Recipe Additions or Variations:

Tropical Twist: For a burst of sweetness, toss in 1/2 cup of diced mango or pineapple. These tropical fruits beautifully complement the crunchy vegetables, creating a refreshing and vibrant flavor.

Protein-Packed Version: Enhance your salad by mixing in 1 cup of rinsed black beans or grilled shrimp. This not only increases the protein content but also transforms the salad into a more satisfying meal.

Customize the Dressing: Tailor your vinaigrette to suit your taste by adding extra honey for sweetness, another chipotle pepper for some heat, or a splash more lime juice or vinegar for a tangy zing.

Veggie Variety: Don’t hesitate to mix in your favorite vegetables! Options like jicama, cauliflower, radishes, or shaved Brussels sprouts can add exciting crunch and flavor.

Tomato Switch-Up: Swap cherry tomatoes for Roma tomatoes, but remember to seed them well to keep the dressing from getting too watery.

Spicy Kick: For those who love a little heat, sprinkle in some diced jalapeño for an added spicy flair.

Grain or Pasta Addition: To make the salad heartier, consider adding cooked brown rice or quinoa, or mix in some cooked orzo or couscous for extra texture and flavor.

Here are three dishes that would pair well with Cucumber Salad:

Chili or Tortilla Soup: Serve the salad alongside a hearty bowl of chili or tortilla soup. The cool, crisp salad provides a perfect contrast to the warmth and richness of these dishes.

Grilled Chicken Tacos: The fresh flavors of the salad complement the savory spices of grilled chicken tacos, making for a deliciously balanced meal.

Fish Tacos: Whether you use grilled, fried, or blackened fish, the salad adds a refreshing crunch and brightness that enhances the taco experience.


Prep Tips

  • Mixing: Toss the salad with the dressing just before serving to keep the cucumbers crisp.
  • Storage: Chop the salad ingredients and store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Whisk the dressing and refrigerate it for up to four days.

mason jar dressing

Mason Jars

Convenient Storage: Mason jars keep homemade salad dressings fresh with an airtight seal, perfect for meal prep.

Easy Mixing: Whisk dressings right in the jar; just shake before using for perfectly blended flavors.

Eco-Friendly: Reusable and easy to clean, mason jars are a sustainable choice that reduces waste from single-use containers.

MASON JARS AND LIDS

Cucumber Chipotle Salad

Natasha Pehrson Print Recipe
This salad combines crunchy cucumbers, crisp bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, sweet corn and red onions. All of this is beautifully dressed with a honey chipotle vinaigrette that balances sweetness and a smoky kick.
Prep Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 cocktail cucumbers chopped
  • 8 cherry tomatoes halved
  • 2 tbsp corn canned or fresh
  • 1/4 bell pepper chopped (red, orange, or yellow)
  • 1 tbsp red onion minced
  • 1/2 avocado diced
  • 1 tbsp minced cilantro
  • 1 tbsp minced mint optional

Instructions

  • 1. Chop the Veggies: In a large bowl, combine the chopped cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, corn, bell pepper, red onion, avocado, cilantro, and mint.
  • 2. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette over the veggie mixture. Toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
  • 3. Serve: Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. This salad is best served fresh!

Shop the Essentials

  • bamboo cutting board
  • large salad bowl
  • lemon squeezer
  • grape and tomato cutter
  • Kaloh Stoneware
  • mason jars
  • mason jar lids

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I’m Natasha Pehrson

Your ultimate hype girl and weight loss bestie! I’m a wife and mom to 4 who has lost 100 pounds by ditching diets and instead focusing on creating healthy habits and changing my overall mindset around losing weight. Get to know me.