Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 large fresh cucumber (firm, seedless preferred)
- 1 cup sweet bell peppers (mix of red, yellow, and orange), sliced into strips or cubes
- 1/4 cup red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
Herbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash the cucumbers and bell peppers thoroughly. Slice the cucumbers thinly to ensure a crisp texture. Chop the sweet peppers into bite-sized strips or cubes according to your preference.
- Slice the Red Onion: Peel the red onion and slice it very thinly so it blends well into the salad without overpowering the other ingredients. Soak the slices briefly in cold water to mellow the strong onion flavor.
- Combine and Toss: In a large bowl, place the cucumbers, sweet peppers, and red onion. Add the chopped fresh herbs. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss everything gently until well combined.
- Let It Rest: Refrigerate the salad for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld beautifully and enhance the freshness.
Notes
- Use seedless cucumbers such as English or Persian to reduce bitterness and moisture.
- Dry the vegetables well using a salad spinner or paper towels to avoid a soggy salad.
- Adjust acidity by tasting and tweaking lemon juice or using vinegar alternatives like apple cider or balsamic.
- Chop vegetables uniformly for even flavor distribution and appealing presentation.
- Fresh herbs are essential for the best flavor; avoid dried substitutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cucumber salad, sweet pepper salad, fresh salad, healthy side dish, crunchy salad, vegetarian, gluten free