Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad
Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad is a super fresh and flavorful salad recipe that only takes 10 minutes to make and you will absolutely love!
I love a flavorful veggie salad, and there's a good reason this Sweet Pepper Cucumber Salad went viral on TikTok! Not only is this salad super easy to prep (it takes 10 minutes, tops!), but it is so full of flavor, super crunchy, and versatile.
Bonus: this goes so well with a variety of dishes, and is the perfect side dish for grilled meat, burgers, and rice bowls. I think it would be absolutely divine with my Chicken Teriyaki Bowls and Korean Beef Bowls!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fresh - full of fresh vegetables and bright, happy flavors!
- Easy - this just takes some chopping and mixing.
- Healthy - this recipe is made with whole ingredients and is gluten free (if you use coconut aminos), dairy-free, and vegan if you make it with maple syrup.
- Flavorful - so. much. flavor!
Ingredients
Mini Cucumbers - mini cucumbers are super easy to slice and don't need to be peeled!
Mini Sweet Peppers - I love the flavor and more delicate texture of sweet mini peppers. They aren't spicy at all. You could definitely use regular sized bell peppers, too!
Green Onions - while the original viral TikTok recipe does not include green onions, I love the flavor it adds to this crunchy salad.
Olive Oil - extra virgin olive oil, with a mild flavor, is the base of the sesame ginger dressing. Other mild flavored oils like canola and avocado oil would also work.
Sesame Oil - the flavor of sesame oil is pretty strong, but it adds a really distinct flavor. Just a couple of teaspoons is all you need!
Rice Vinegar - this has a mild flavor that balances out the oil.
Garlic and Ginger - both fresh, to add fresh flavor.
Soy Sauce - this adds a little savory flavor to the dressing.
Honey - this also helps balance out the dressing, give it just a hint of sweetness.
Everything But the Bagel Seasoning - this combination of sesame seeds, garlic, and onion pairs perfectly with this cucumber salad.
Chili Crisp - Also, sometimes called Chili Crunch. I like to buy mine from Trader Joe's, but you can get it on Amazon, too. A little goes a long way and just a couple of teaspoons in this recipe adds great flavor and a little heat. You can definitely add more if you want more of a kick to the salad.
Variations
Different Sweetener - you can add maple syrup, agave, or brown sugar instead of honey, which would also make it vegan.
Different Veggies - you can use this recipe with so many different vegetables! I think other great options would be cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, zucchini, lettuce, diced avocado, red onion, carrots, or even shelled edamame. You can also use an English cucumber instead of the mini cucumbers, if that is what you have.
Add Cheese - this would be delicious topped with some feta cheese or goat cheese.
Add Some Herbs - you could definitely add some more fresh herbs to this like fresh dill, fresh parsley, or fresh cilantro.
Step by Step Instructions
Photo 1. Add the dressing ingredients to a small food processor.
Photo 2. Blend until creamy and well combined. You could also do this in a mason jar and just shake well until the ingredients are well combined.
Photo 3. In a medium to large bowl, add the sliced cucumbers, peppers, and green onions.
Photo 4. Drizzle with the dressing, chili crisp, and everything but the bagel seasoning, and toss to combine. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Storage - store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days. If you want it to last longer, don't add all of the dressing to the veggies. Instead, add the dressing when you are ready to eat it.
Serving Suggestions - this viral cucumber salad is incredible on its own, but it is also delicious on top of rice or quinoa, or in a chicken or steak and rice bowl.
Vegetable Prep - I used a super sharp knice to slice the cucumbers and peppers but you could use a mandoline for the cucumbers, especially if you like them really thin.
Recipe FAQs
I use a sharp knife that is serrated, but you could also use a mandolin.
Yes, it can be made gluten free if you use tamari or coconut aminos.
Other Salad Recipes to Consider
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #greensnchocolate.
Bell Pepper Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 4 mini cucumbers thinly sliced
- 10 sweet mini bell peppers stem and seeds removed, sliced
- 2 green onions diced
- 2 teaspoon Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
- 2 teaspoon chili crisp
Sesame Ginger Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
Instructions
- Prep the cucumber and peppers and place them in a large bowl.
- In a small food processor, add the olive oil, rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger and pulse until pureed.
- Add the dressing to the cucumbers and peppers, along with the chili crisp and everything but the bagel seasoning, and stir well to enjoy.
- Season with salt, to taste.
- Serve and enjoy!
