Description
A light and zesty pineapple cucumber salad that combines the sweetness of fresh pineapple with crisp cucumber and a tangy lime dressing. Perfect for refreshing snacking or a healthy side dish, this vibrant salad is enhanced with hints of red onion, cilantro, and optional spicy jalapeño and feta cheese for added flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 medium Fresh Pineapple (Diced into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 large English Cucumber (Sliced into half-moons or small cubes)
- 1/2 medium Red Onion (Thinly sliced)
- 1 small Jalapeño (Optional, sliced thinly)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro (Chopped)
- 1/4 cup Feta Cheese (Optional, crumbled)
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Lime Juice (Freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon Honey or Maple Syrup (For sweetness)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (High quality)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (To taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground)
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (Optional, for additional heat)
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all ingredients. Dice the pineapple into bite-sized pieces. Slice the cucumber into half-moons or small cubes. Thinly slice the red onion and jalapeño if using. Chop the cilantro and crumble the feta cheese if desired.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed lime juice, honey or maple syrup, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until well combined to create a tangy and slightly sweet dressing.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the pineapple, cucumber, red onion, chopped cilantro, and jalapeño. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss everything together to coat evenly.
- Add Feta Cheese: If using, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top of the salad and give it a gentle toss to distribute the cheese without breaking it up too much.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest crunch and flavor, or chill it in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with extra cilantro leaves or a lime wedge if desired.
Notes
- This salad can be customized with or without jalapeño and feta cheese depending on your preference.
- For a vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup and omit feta cheese.
- Make sure to use fresh lime juice for the best flavor in the dressing.
- Chilling the salad before serving enhances the taste but avoid making it too far ahead as the cucumber can become watery.
- This salad is best enjoyed within 24 hours for optimal freshness.
