This cucumber jalapeno salad is a refreshing summer salad made with fresh veggies. Lime juice and jalapeno give crisp cucumber slices a savory flavor enhanced with cilantro.
Also a great side dish for those who crave fresh flavors with a spicy twist, this is effortlessly prepared in less than 10 minutes.
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Why You'll Love This Cucumber Jalapeno Salad Recipe
Easy to Make: This recipe's main highlight is its quick preparation and simple dressing. Just chop, combine, toss, and serve—it's that simple. This crunchy, fresh salad is perfect for the summer months(same as this Cucumber mango salad and Spicy carrot salad).
Versatile: Enjoy this cucumber jalapeno salad, or modify the recipe to suit your taste. Dress it up with your favorite sauce, or toss in your favorite vegetables—every modification results in a delightful experience.
Light and Refreshing: It is the perfect delicious dish for warm days, loaded only with fresh produce(try this Savory cantaloupe salad, too).
Perfect for Any Occasion: This salad stands out for a casual lunch or as an addition to a larger meal(like this Indian tomato salad). Its fresh flavors and straightforward preparation please everyone every time.
How to make Cucumber Jalapeno Salad?
The Ingredients
Cucumbers: I have used regular cucumbers; feel free to use English, regular, or Persian cucumbers.
Jalapeno Pepper: This pepper brings a little heat to the salad. Remove the seeds and pith to lower the heat. On the other hand, chop the seeds finely for a profound heat. Also, adjust the quantity of jalapenos according to your personal preference.
Lime Juice: As always highly refreshing. Lime juice or apple cider vinegar are some equivalent alternatives.
Red Onion: Add slightly sharpness and color to the salad, making each bite more interesting.
Cilantro: This herb unifies all the flavors in the salad. Parsley is a suitable alternative for those who don't enjoy cilantro.
The Directions
Preparation: Wash the cucumbers and jalapenos under cold water. Slice the cucumbers into thin slices using a mandolin or a sharp knife. If you prefer a mildly spiced cucumber jalapeno salad, remove the seeds from the jalapeno before slicing it thinly(check this How to cut jalapeno for detailed instructions).
Mixing: In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers, jalapeno, chopped red onion, lemon juice, and salt. Toss the cucumber slices to coat them with lemon juice and salt evenly.
Enjoy: Serve as a side dish and ENJOY!!
Storage Tips
Refrigerate: Enjoy this cucumber jalapeno salad within a few hours after making it for the best flavors. However, if you have any leftovers, transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Freeze: The crunchy cucumbers and fresh herbs don't freeze well and will lose their freshness and texture when thawed. I would not recommend freezing this salad.
What to serve with?
The cucumber jalapeno salad's refreshing crunch goes excellent with any main course, vegan or meat-based.
Meat: It pairs particularly well with the smoky flavors of grilled chicken, beef, or pork. Dish dishes like Chinese jalapeno chicken or hot and spicy Chinese chicken are also fantastic to pair with.
Seafood Dishes: To make a perfect summer meal, serve with flaky fish, shrimp, or scallops(best mentions are cedar plank salmon, Sriracha shrimp pasta, or honey Sriracha shrimp).
Sandwiches and Wraps: Add a side of cucumber jalapeno salad for a light lunch to your favorite sandwich or wrap(like this spicy tuna wrap).
Vegetarian and Vegan Entrées: Pair the salad with stuffed bell peppers(seafood stuffed peppers), grilled vegetable skewers, or a hearty lentil stew.
Variations
Asian Style cucumber jalapeno salad: Add soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar(like this Spicy Asian cabbage salad).
Thai Version: Toss chopped pineapple, crushed peanuts, and season with red pepper flakes.
Creamy Choice: Mix Greek yogurt, ranch dressing, or other salad dressings.
Mediterranean: Add olive oil, chopped tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.
Cooking Tips and Tricks
Mandoline slicer: This makes all the cucumber slices thin and uniform, so the dressing covers each piece evenly.
Chill before serving: For best results, refrigerate the cucumber jalapeno salad for about 30 minutes.
Adjust the jalapeno: Taste the jalapeno first since each one has a different heat level. If it's too spicy, use less or remove the seeds.
Tools recommended for making this recipe
Chef's knife: Essential for slicing the hard skin of the lemons.
Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for this cucumber jalapeno salad recipe for combining the ingredients thoroughly,
Cutting Board: Perfect for safely slicing jalapenos and lemons.
Printable recipe card
Cucumber Jalapeno Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers
- 6 slices jalapeno or as required
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Slice the cucumbers and jalapeno into thin rounds. Remove the seeds and the pith for a milder heat.
- Combine sliced cucumbers, jalapeno, red onion, chopped cilantro, lemon juice, and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Toss until well lemon juice and the salt coates the cucumber slices thour
- Serve immediately or as chilled.
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