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Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad with fresh veggies and creamy ranch dressing

Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad

Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad is a creamy and refreshing dish that pairs crunchy cucumbers with flavorful ranch dressing, perfect as a side or light meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 4-5 large English cucumbers the long skinny ones
  • 1 tsp salt for drawing out water
  • 1 cup mayonnaise don’t go light — live a little
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 packet ranch dressing mix Hidden Valley or bust
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 pinch black pepper Freshly cracked
  • 1/2 medium red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill or 2 tbsp dried
  • 2 tbsp chives chopped
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds or chopped pecans (optional but recommended)
  • 4 oz crumbled feta or goat cheese
  • 1/4 cup crispy bacon bits
  • to taste everything bagel seasoning for sprinkling

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Wash and slice your cucumbers into rounds about 1/4 inch thick. You can peel them if you want, but the skin adds nice color and crunch.
  • Toss the sliced cucumbers with salt in a large colander and let them sit for 15-20 minutes to draw out excess water.

Ranch Dressing

  • While cucumbers are draining, whisk together mayo, sour cream, ranch packet, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl.
  • Taste and adjust dressing as needed based on your preference.

Combine Ingredients

  • After 15-20 minutes, rinse the cucumbers under cold water and pat them dry with towels.
  • Add the dried cucumbers to the ranch mixture along with sliced red onion, dill, and chives. Fold everything together gently.

Chill

  • Let the salad sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Final Touches

  • Right before serving, add sunflower seeds, crumbled cheese if using, and a sprinkle of black pepper and bagel seasoning.

Notes

Be sure to dry the cucumbers well after rinsing to help keep the salad from becoming watery. Don’t skip the chilling step! Letting it sit allows all the flavors to come together perfectly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 6gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 600mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3g
Keyword Cucumber Salad, Fresh Salad, Healthy Sides, Ranch Dressing, Summer Recipes
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