Description
This Light and Zesty Pineapple Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish perfect for a healthy snack or side. Combining sweet pineapple, crisp cucumber, and a tangy lime dressing, it offers a delightful balance of flavors with optional heat from jalapeño and creaminess from feta cheese.
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: Dice the fresh pineapple into bite-sized pieces. Slice the English cucumber into half-moons or small cubes. Thinly slice the red onion and jalapeño if using. Chop the fresh 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.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the pineapple, cucumber, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Add Feta and Serve: If using feta cheese, sprinkle it over the salad and toss lightly. Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste, or chill it in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes to enhance the flavors.
- Garnish: Optionally, garnish with extra cilantro leaves or a wedge of lime for added zest and presentation.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of jalapeño and red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- For a vegan option, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld but avoid making it too early to keep the cucumbers crisp.
- Use fresh, ripe pineapple for the best natural sweetness and juicy texture.
- This salad is best served chilled but should be consumed within 1-2 days for optimal freshness.
