Description

Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad is a refreshing and flavorful mix of crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy red onions, savory bacon, and shredded cheese all tossed in a creamy ranch dressing with fresh dill. This easy-to-make salad combines garden-fresh ingredients with a zesty and satisfying twist, perfect for a light lunch, side dish, or potluck favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

2 large cucumbers, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup red onion, finely chopped

Proteins & Dairy

1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)

Dressing & Seasoning

½ cup ranch dressing
¼ cup fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables: Begin by washing the cucumbers and tomatoes thoroughly. Dice the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces and halve the cherry tomatoes for even flavor and texture throughout the salad.
Chop the Onion: Finely chop the red onion to add a sharp, zesty crunch that complements the creamy dressing and fresh vegetables.
Cook the Bacon: If you’re using raw bacon, cook it in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then crumble into small pieces. Alternatively, if you have pre-cooked bacon, simply crumble it into bite-sized bits.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion to create a fresh vegetable base for the salad.
Add Bacon and Cheese: Mix the crumbled bacon and shredded cheese into the vegetable mixture, ensuring an even distribution of savory elements.
Dress the Salad: Pour the ranch dressing over the combined ingredients, then add the chopped fresh dill. Stir gently but thoroughly until every bite is coated with creamy ranch and fragrant dill.
Season: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning based on your preference to enhance the salad’s flavor.
Chill: Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and gives the salad a refreshing coolness.
Toss Before Serving: Before serving, give the salad a good toss to mix up any settled dressing and redistribute all ingredients evenly for the perfect bite every time.

Notes

Use fresh dill if possible for a brighter flavor; dried dill works well as an alternative.
Bacon can be substituted with turkey bacon for a leaner option.
Feel free to swap shredded cheddar for your favorite cheese such as Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a spicy twist.
For added crunch, consider adding chopped celery or toasted nuts like almonds.
The salad is best served chilled but can be held refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cucumber Salad, Ranch Dressing, Bacon Salad, Easy Summer Salad, Quick Side Dish, Picnic Salad