Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad is the ultimate weeknight side dish, offering a refreshing and incredibly satisfying crunch that has earned its “crack” moniker. This recipe is your go-to for a quick, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing salad that boasts incredible ease and deliciousness.
Key Ingredients for Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad:
- 3 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup celery, thinly sliced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How to Make Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad:
Get ready for a taste sensation that’s astonishingly simple to whip up! This Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad is a symphony of cool, crisp textures and a creamy, tangy dressing that will have everyone reaching for seconds. It’s a no-cook wonder, perfect for busy days, and comes together in under 20 minutes, offering a satisfyingly fresh and vibrant flavor profile.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, and thinly sliced celery. Ensure the cucumbers are well-drained after peeling and seeding to avoid a watery salad.
- Cook the Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until they are crispy. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- Make the Ranch Dressing: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped fresh dill, chopped fresh parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until the dressing is smooth and well-combined.
- Combine the Salad: Pour the prepared ranch dressing over the vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Gently toss everything together, ensuring all the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Add the Cheese and Bacon: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled feta cheese, and the crumbled crispy bacon over the salad. Gently fold these additions into the salad until they are distributed throughout.
- Season and Chill: Season the Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving. This chilling period is crucial for the “crack” factor to truly develop.
Why You’ll Love This Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad:
You’ll absolutely adore this Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad for its unbelievably refreshing crunch and addictively creamy dressing, reminiscent of your favorite potato salad but with a lighter, brighter profile. It’s a fantastic way to elevate simple, fresh ingredients into something truly special, offering a savory depth from the bacon and dual cheeses that sets it apart. Making this salad at home is incredibly budget-friendly, transforming humble cucumbers and common pantry staples into a gourmet side dish without a hefty price tag.
Unlike heavier pasta or potato salads, this green gem is bursting with cool, crisp textures that truly sing, especially on a warm day. The combination of cooling cucumber, tangy ranch, salty feta, sharp cheddar, and smoky bacon creates an irresistible flavor explosion. Don’t just take our word for it – gather your ingredients and experience the wonderful freshness and satisfying “crack” of this phenomenal salad for yourself!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Storing Leftovers: To store leftover Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad, ensure it’s in an airtight container. Properly stored, it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. It’s important to note that the cucumbers may release some liquid over time, which can make the salad slightly more watery. If this happens, you can gently drain off excess liquid before serving again.
Reheating: This salad is best served chilled and is not intended for reheating. Enjoying it cold preserves its crisp textures and vibrant flavors.
Final Thoughts:
This Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad is a truly sensational side dish that’s both easy to make and wonderfully delicious. Give it a try at your next gathering or weeknight meal; we’re confident you’ll be hooked!
Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, and thinly sliced celery. Ensure the cucumbers are well-drained after peeling and seeding to avoid a watery salad.3 large cucumbers, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, ½ cup red onion, ½ cup celery
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until they are crispy. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.4 slices bacon
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped fresh dill, chopped fresh parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until the dressing is smooth and well-combined.¾ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons fresh dill, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Pour the prepared ranch dressing over the vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Gently toss everything together, ensuring all the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.¾ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons fresh dill, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 3 large cucumbers, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, ½ cup red onion, ½ cup celery
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled feta cheese, and the crumbled crispy bacon over the salad. Gently fold these additions into the salad until they are distributed throughout.½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, 4 slices bacon
- Season the Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving. This chilling period is crucial for the "crack" factor to truly develop.salt, freshly ground black pepper