Try This Crisp & Refreshing Cucumber & Bell Pepper Salad Recipe

Cool cucumber and bell pepper salad brings vibrant colors and crisp textures to your summer dining experience.

Fresh vegetables create a refreshing ensemble that dances with light, zesty flavors.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients offer a delightful crunch that awakens every taste bud.

Green and red vegetables intertwine, creating a visual symphony on your plate.

Nutritious and quick to assemble, this salad enhances simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Smart cooks understand how minimal effort can produce maximum culinary satisfaction.

Gather your freshest produce and let the magic of simplicity shine through.

Brighten Your Table with Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad

• Burst with Refreshing Flavors: This cucumber and bell pepper salad delivers a crisp, zesty punch that instantly awakens your taste buds with its vibrant mix of fresh vegetables and bold seasonings.
• Super Quick and Easy Prep: Minimal chopping and just a few simple steps make this recipe perfect for busy people seeking a fast, nutritious side dish that requires zero cooking skills.
• Customizable Protein Boost: The flexible serving option of adding cottage cheese transforms this light salad into a satisfying, protein-packed meal that adapts to different dietary needs and hunger levels.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: With an impressive 4-day refrigerator life, this salad can be prepared in advance, making meal planning and healthy eating effortless and stress-free.

Essentials for a Colorful Veggie Salad

• Mini Cucumbers: Crisp and light base for the salad, best when firm and bright green.
• Bell Peppers: Colorful and sweet vegetable that adds crunch and vibrant visual appeal.

• Chili Crisp Oil: Spicy condiment that provides heat and complex flavor to the salad.
• Ginger Sesame Dressing: Brings Asian-inspired tangy and nutty notes to enhance overall taste.
• Everything But The Bagel Seasoning: Popular blend that adds savory, textured, and umami elements.

• Cottage Cheese: Creamy dairy option for adding protein and serving as a base for the salad, suitable for those who include dairy in their diet.

Tossing Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad

Step 1: Prepare Crisp Vegetables

Wash mini cucumbers and bell peppers thoroughly. Using a sharp knife, slice vegetables into thin, delicate circles or half-moons for a beautiful presentation.

Step 2: Create Vibrant Dressing

• Chili crisp oil
• Ginger sesame dressing
• Everything But The Bagel seasoning

Whisk the ingredients together until well combined and fragrant.

Step 3: Combine and Coat

Gently toss the sliced vegetables into the dressing mixture. Ensure each piece is evenly and generously coated with the zesty seasoning blend.

Step 4: Chill and Marinate

Transfer the salad to the refrigerator. Let it rest for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing flavors to develop and meld together beautifully.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove salad from refrigerator. For an extra protein boost, consider serving over cottage cheese. This refreshing salad stays crisp and delicious for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container.

Optional Protein Enhancement: Sprinkle with crumbled feta or add grilled chicken strips for additional nutrients.

Expert Tips for Crunchy Freshness

• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp knife or mandoline to create uniform, thin cucumber and bell pepper circles for even texture and aesthetics.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Letting the salad rest in the refrigerator allows the dressing to deeply penetrate the vegetables, enhancing overall taste.
• Seasoning Secret: Sprinkle Everything But The Bagel seasoning just before serving to maintain its crunch and prevent moisture absorption.
• Protein Power-Up: Add cottage cheese or tofu for an instant protein boost that transforms this side dish into a satisfying light meal.
• Freshness First: Consume within 2-3 days for optimal crispness, storing in an airtight container to prevent soggy vegetables.

Storing Your Veggie Salad for Maximum Crisp

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to develop and become more intense.
• Drain: Before serving, use a slotted spoon to remove excess liquid that may have accumulated during storage. This helps maintain the salad's crisp texture.
• Serve Cold: Do not reheat this salad, as the cucumbers and peppers will lose their crunch. Enjoy straight from the refrigerator for the best taste and texture.

Pairing Beverages with Veggie Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enjoy a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the salad's refreshing cucumber and bell pepper flavors, cutting through the spicy chili crisp oil.
• Match with Light Protein: Serve alongside grilled chicken breast or seared tofu to balance the salad's zesty dressing and add protein-rich substance to the meal.
• Combine with Crunchy Bread: Add toasted sourdough or a rustic ciabatta slice to provide a satisfying textural contrast and help soak up the ginger sesame dressing.
• Elevate with Herb Garnish: Sprinkle fresh cilantro or mint leaves on top to enhance the salad's aromatic profile and add a bright, herbaceous note that elevates the overall taste experience.

Fun Variations on Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad

• Spicy Fusion Salad: Replace chili crisp oil with sriracha and add sliced jalapeños for an extra kick of heat.
• Mediterranean Mix: Swap ginger sesame dressing for tzatziki, incorporate crumbled feta cheese, and sprinkle with dried oregano for a Greek-inspired version.
• Asian Herb Garden: Enhance the salad with chopped fresh cilantro, mint leaves, and replace Everything But The Bagel seasoning with toasted sesame seeds for a vibrant herb-infused experience.
• Protein Power Bowl: Top the salad with grilled chicken or tofu cubes, and add quinoa for a complete and nutritious meal option.

Cucumber & Bell Pepper Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Refreshing cucumber and bell pepper salad offers Mediterranean-inspired zest with crisp vegetables and tangy herbs. Delightful summer side dish brings cool crunch and bold flavors that will elevate your meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

main ingredients:

• 3–4 mini cucumbers, sliced
• 6–7 mini bell peppers (orange, red, yellow), sliced

seasoning:

• 2 ½ teaspoons Everything But The Bagel Seasoning
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) chili crisp oil

dressing:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) Ginger Sesame Dressing

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Instructions

1. Carefully julienne the mini cucumbers and bell peppers into delicate, uniform strips to ensure even flavor distribution and an appealing visual texture.
2. Transfer the sliced vegetables into a spacious mixing vessel, creating a vibrant canvas of fresh produce.
3. Drizzle the chili crisp oil across the vegetables, allowing its spicy essence to weave through the crisp vegetable layers.
4. Pour the ginger sesame dressing over the mixture, ensuring each vegetable piece receives a luxurious coating of the aromatic liquid.
5. Sprinkle the Everything But The Bagel seasoning generously, creating a complex flavor profile that enhances the salad’s overall taste experience.
6. Gently fold and toss the ingredients, guaranteeing an even distribution of seasonings and dressings throughout the salad.
7. Refrigerate the prepared salad for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to harmonize and intensify.
8. When ready to serve, retrieve the chilled salad and give it a quick, gentle stir to redistribute the seasonings.
9. For an elevated protein boost, optionally layer the salad atop a bed of cottage cheese, transforming it into a nutritious and satisfying meal.
10. Store any remaining salad in an airtight container within the refrigerator, where it will maintain its freshness for up to four days.

Notes

• Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes intensifies the flavor blend and allows the seasonings to perfectly marinate the crisp vegetables.
• Everything But The Bagel seasoning adds a delightful crunch and savory complexity to this simple yet vibrant vegetable mix.
• Mini cucumbers provide a fresher, more delicate texture compared to regular cucumbers, making the salad lighter and more refreshing.
• Ginger sesame dressing creates a tangy, slightly spicy undertone that complements the raw vegetable crispness.
• This colorful salad stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it an excellent meal prep option for quick and healthy snacking.
• Adding cottage cheese transforms this side dish into a protein-packed meal, perfect for those seeking a nutritious and satisfying option.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 100
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 9g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg