Viral Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad is a refreshingly simple and incredibly versatile dish, perfect for a quick lunch, a light side, or a vibrant addition to any potluck. This recipe breaks down how to create this popular meal that is as easy to make as it is delicious to eat.
Key Ingredients for Viral Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad:
- 2 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced
- 1 large red bell pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar (or to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- (Optional) 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese for serving
How to Make Viral Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad:
This Viral Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad is a breeze to assemble, promising a burst of fresh flavors and a satisfying crunch in every bite, all in under 20 minutes. Its simplicity belies its deliciousness, with crisp vegetables and a zesty dressing that will have you coming back for more.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Vegetables: Begin by preparing your cucumbers. Peel them to remove the waxy skin, then slice them in half lengthwise. Gently scoop out the seedy core using a spoon. Once seeded, thinly slice the cucumber halves into rounds, about 1/8 inch thick. Next, prepare your bell peppers. Wash them, then cut them in half and remove the seeds and white membranes. Thinly slice the red and yellow bell peppers into strips. Peel and thinly slice the red onion.
- Combine the Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers, sliced red and yellow bell peppers, and thinly sliced red onion. Add the chopped fresh dill and chopped fresh parsley to the bowl. Gently toss the vegetables together to distribute them evenly.
- Whisk Together the Dressing: In a separate small bowl or a jar with a lid, combine the olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and sugar. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If using a bowl, whisk the ingredients together vigorously until the dressing is emulsified. If using a jar, seal the lid tightly and shake well until thoroughly combined.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Gently toss the salad again to coat all the ingredients evenly with the dressing. Make sure every piece of vegetable is touched by the flavorful dressing.
- Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the Viral Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad for at least 15-30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. If you plan to serve it immediately, you can skip this chilling step, but it does make a difference.
- Optional Garnish: Before serving, if desired, you can gently toss in some crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese for an extra pop of creamy, salty flavor that complements the crisp vegetables wonderfully.
Why You’ll Love This Viral Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad:
This Viral Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad boasts an incredible crispness and a vibrant medley of colors, offering a truly refreshing culinary experience that’s hard to beat. It’s a fantastic alternative to heavier, processed salads, providing an abundance of fresh flavors without breaking the bank. The simple yet zesty dressing, bursting with Dijon and white wine vinegar, elevates the natural sweetness of the peppers and the coolness of the cucumbers, making it an irresistible choice for a healthy and delicious meal.
Imagine a cooler, crisper cousin to a traditional pasta salad that requires zero cooking—that’s the magic of this dish! Making this at home is not only budget-friendly but also allows for ingredient customization, ensuring it perfectly suits your taste. The combination of crunchy vegetables, fresh herbs, and a bright, tangy dressing is a symphony for your palate. Give this delightful Viral Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad a try today; your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
- Refrigeration: This Viral Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad is best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. The vegetables may soften slightly over time, but the flavor will continue to develop.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended for this salad as the texture of the cucumbers and peppers will be significantly altered upon thawing.
- Serving: If you find the salad has released a lot of liquid, you can gently drain off excess liquid before serving, especially if it’s been stored for a couple of days. No reheating is necessary for this dish; it is meant to be served chilled.
Final Thoughts:
This Viral Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad is a testament to how simple, fresh ingredients can create something truly extraordinary. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s light, healthy, and incredibly satisfying. Give it a go this week and discover your new favorite go-to salad!
Viral Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by preparing your cucumbers. Peel them to remove the waxy skin, then slice them in half lengthwise. Gently scoop out the seedy core using a spoon. Once seeded, thinly slice the cucumber halves into rounds, about 1/8 inch thick. Next, prepare your bell peppers. Wash them, then cut them in half and remove the seeds and white membranes. Thinly slice the red and yellow bell peppers into strips. Peel and thinly slice the red onion.2 large cucumbers, 1 large red bell pepper, 1 large yellow bell pepper, 1/2 red onion
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers, sliced red and yellow bell peppers, and thinly sliced red onion. Add the chopped fresh dill and chopped fresh parsley to the bowl. Gently toss the vegetables together to distribute them evenly.2 large cucumbers, 1 large red bell pepper, 1 large yellow bell pepper, 1/2 red onion, 1/4 cup fresh dill, 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- In a separate small bowl or a jar with a lid, combine the olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and sugar. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If using a bowl, whisk the ingredients together vigorously until the dressing is emulsified. If using a jar, seal the lid tightly and shake well until thoroughly combined.1/3 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon sugar, salt, freshly ground black pepper
- Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Gently toss the salad again to coat all the ingredients evenly with the dressing. Make sure every piece of vegetable is touched by the flavorful dressing.1/3 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon sugar, salt, freshly ground black pepper, 2 large cucumbers, 1 large red bell pepper, 1 large yellow bell pepper, 1/2 red onion, 1/4 cup fresh dill, 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the Viral Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad for at least 15-30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. If you plan to serve it immediately, you can skip this chilling step, but it does make a difference.
- Before serving, if desired, you can gently toss in some crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese for an extra pop of creamy, salty flavor that complements the crisp vegetables wonderfully.1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese