Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad Recipe
This Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad is a refreshing, colorful, and crunchy dish perfect for quick lunches or vibrant side dishes. Combining crisp cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, and fresh herbs with a light lemon and olive oil dressing, it provides a healthy and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare in under 15 minutes.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10-15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan (without optional cheese), Dairy-Free (without cheese)
Main Ingredients
- 2 fresh cucumbers, firm and crisp, sliced thinly
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced thinly
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced thinly
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced thinly
- 1/2 red onion, finely minced
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or mint), roughly chopped
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Extras
- Crumbled feta cheese, for garnish
- Toasted nuts (pine nuts or almonds), for garnish
- Prepare the vegetables: Wash and slice the cucumbers and bell peppers evenly into thin slices to ensure each bite has a perfect balance of crunch and flavor.
- Chop the onion and herbs: Finely mince the red onion to avoid overpowering flavor bursts, and roughly chop your choice of fresh herbs to add an aromatic pop to the salad.
- Mix the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until the mixture is emulsified, creating a light dressing that highlights the freshness of the veggies.
- Combine all ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, and herbs with the dressing to coat everything evenly and ensure consistent flavor in every forkful.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the salad for 10-15 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld while maintaining the crisp texture.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm cucumbers to keep the salad crisp and enjoyable.
- Refrigerate the salad to enhance flavors and maintain freshness.
- Slice vegetables thinly and uniformly for even seasoning and texture.
- Dress the salad just before serving to avoid sogginess.
- Experiment with different fresh herbs like mint or basil for new flavor profiles.
- Pair the salad with grilled chicken, fish, or light pasta for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cucumber salad, bell pepper salad, fresh salad, healthy side dish, quick salad, vegan salad, gluten free salad, crunchy salad