Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad Recipe
A refreshing and flavorful Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad featuring crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy bacon, shredded cheese, and a creamy ranch dressing infused with fresh dill. Perfect as a side dish or a light meal.
- Author: Tara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Vegetables
- 2 large cucumbers, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
Protein and Dairy
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
Dressing and Seasoning
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Prepare the Vegetables: Begin by washing the cucumbers and tomatoes thoroughly. Dice the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces and halve the cherry tomatoes for easy eating.
- Chop the Onion: Finely chop the red onion to add a crisp, zesty crunch to the salad that complements the other fresh ingredients.
- Cook the Bacon: If using raw bacon, cook it in a pan over medium heat until crispy, then crumble it into small pieces. If using pre-cooked bacon, simply crumble it into the bowl.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion carefully.
- Add Bacon and Cheese: Add the crumbled bacon and shredded cheese into the bowl with the vegetables, mixing to distribute evenly.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the ranch dressing over the salad mixture and add the chopped fresh dill. Stir well until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Season: Season the salad with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences, blending well to enhance the flavors.
- Chill: Cover the salad and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, enhancing the overall taste.
- Toss Before Serving: Just before serving, toss the salad again to redistribute the dressing and ingredients for a fresh and vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Use cooked bacon for convenience or cook fresh for best flavor and texture.
- Feel free to substitute dill with chives or parsley if preferred.
- This salad can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
- Adjust ranch dressing quantity based on how creamy you like your salad.
- To keep cucumbers crispier, sprinkle a little salt on them and let sit for 10 minutes before adding to the salad, then drain any excess liquid.
Keywords: Cucumber Salad, Ranch Dressing, Bacon Salad, Summer Salad, Easy Salad Recipe