This Cucumber Caesar Salad offers a remarkably crisp and cool take on a classic, proving that an enduringly popular salad can be wonderfully revitalized. It’s a perfect, light yet satisfying meal or side dish that’s incredibly simple to whip up, making it an ideal addition to any weeknight dinner rotation or a go-to for potlucks.
Key Ingredients for Cucumber Caesar Salad:
- 1 lb English cucumbers (about 2 medium), peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup toasted croutons (store-bought or homemade)
- For the Creamy Caesar Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of salt (adjust to taste)
How to Make Cucumber Caesar Salad:
Get ready for a salad that’s as easy to make as it is delightful to eat! Its magic lies in its unpretentious assembly and the vibrant, fresh flavors that come together for a satisfying crunch. The creamy, tangy dressing ties everything together beautifully, creating a dish that feels both a gourmet treat and a comforting classic. Preparation time is a breezy 15 minutes, ensuring you can enjoy this deliciousness without a long wait.
Step-by-Step Instructions1:
- Prepare the Vegetables: Begin by thoroughly washing your English cucumbers. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the outer skin of both cucumbers. Then, carefully cut each cucumber in half lengthwise. With a spoon, gently scoop out and discard the watery seeds from the center of each cucumber half. Once seeded, slice the cucumber halves thinly into rounds, aiming for a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Set the sliced cucumbers aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Add Other Salad Components: To the bowl with the sliced cucumbers, add the halved or quartered cherry tomatoes and the finely chopped red onion. These ingredients will provide pops of color, sweetness, and a mild pungent contrast to the other salad elements.
- Make the Creamy Caesar Dressing: In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine all the ingredients for the Caesar dressing. Add the mayonnaise, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these ingredients together vigorously until they are thoroughly combined and the dressing is smooth and creamy. Taste the dressing and adjust the salt and pepper if needed to suit your preference.
- Combine Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared Caesar dressing over the cucumber, tomato, and red onion mixture in the large mixing bowl. Gently toss all the ingredients together, ensuring that the vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Fold in Cheese and Parsley: Add the shaved Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley to the salad. Gently fold them into the mixture until they are distributed throughout the salad. The parsley will add a burst of fresh, herbaceous flavor and a vibrant green hue.
- Add Croutons and Serve: Just before serving, add the toasted croutons to the salad and give it one final, gentle toss to distribute them. This ensures the croutons stay delightfully crispy. Garnish with additional shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor experience.
Why You’ll Love This Cucumber Caesar Salad:
You’ll adore this Cucumber Caesar Salad for its incredibly refreshing crunch, a delightful departure from the traditional romaine base. It’s a surprisingly budget-friendly option; by using readily available cucumbers and pantry staples for the dressing, you save significantly compared to restaurant versions. The addition of bright tomatoes, pungent red onion, and that irresistible creamy Caesar dressing, elevated by sharp Parmesan and fresh parsley, makes each bite a flavorful celebration.
Unlike a heavy, classic Caesar, this version is lighter, making it perfect as a standalone light lunch or a vibrant side dish that won’t overshadow your main course. Imagine the satisfying crispness of the cucumber mingling with juicy tomatoes and the zesty dressing – it’s a symphony of fresh tastes and textures. Don’t just dream about it; make this easy and delicious Cucumber Caesar Salad your new favorite way to enjoy a beloved classic.
Storing and Reheating Tips:
To store leftover Cucumber Caesar Salad, it’s best to keep the salad and the dressing separate if possible. If you’ve already dressed the salad, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no more than 1-2 days. The cucumbers can become somewhat softer over time in the dressing, but the flavors will meld nicely. For best results, consider reserving a portion of the dressing and dressing individual servings just before eating.
If you have undressed components or the salad has been dressed for less than a day, it should remain fresh for up to 2 days. Reheating is generally not recommended as this salad is best served cold and crisp. However, if you wish to repurpose, you could drain any excess liquid and serve it as a cold relish or chop it fine and add to a sandwich filling. Freezing this salad is not advisable due to its high water content, which will drastically alter its texture.
Final Thoughts:
This Cucumber Caesar Salad truly reimagines a classic, offering a light, crisp, and incredibly delicious experience. Give this refreshing twist a try – it’s sure to become a favorite for its simplicity and vibrant flavor.
Cucumber Caesar Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by thoroughly washing your English cucumbers. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the outer skin of both cucumbers. Then, carefully cut each cucumber in half lengthwise. With a spoon, gently scoop out and discard the watery seeds from the center of each cucumber half. Once seeded, slice the cucumber halves thinly into rounds, aiming for a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Set the sliced cucumbers aside in a large mixing bowl.1 lb English cucumbers
- To the bowl with the sliced cucumbers, add the halved or quartered cherry tomatoes and the finely chopped red onion. These ingredients will provide pops of color, sweetness, and a mild pungent contrast to the other salad elements.1 lb English cucumbers, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup red onion
- In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine all the ingredients for the Caesar dressing. Add the mayonnaise, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these ingredients together vigorously until they are thoroughly combined and the dressing is smooth and creamy. Taste the dressing and adjust the salt and pepper if needed to suit your preference.1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, Pinch salt
- Pour the prepared Caesar dressing over the cucumber, tomato, and red onion mixture in the large mixing bowl. Gently toss all the ingredients together, ensuring that the vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup red onion, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, Pinch salt
- Add the shaved Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley to the salad. Gently fold them into the mixture until they are distributed throughout the salad. The parsley will add a burst of fresh, herbaceous flavor and a vibrant green hue.1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- Just before serving, add the toasted croutons to the salad and give it one final, gentle toss to distribute them. This ensures the croutons stay delightfully crispy. Garnish with additional shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor experience.1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup toasted croutons
Notes
Reheating is generally not recommended as this salad is best served cold and crisp.
Freezing this salad is not advisable due to its high water content, which will drastically alter its texture.