Description
This vibrant and refreshing pineapple cucumber salad combines sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. The freshness of pineapple pairs beautifully with cucumber, red onion, and aromatic herbs, all elevated by lime juice and optional heat from jalapeños or chili.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh pineapple, cut into small chunks
- 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced or diced (about 1½ cups)
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or mint
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce or soy sauce (optional for savory depth)
- ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional for balance)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Optional: sliced jalapeño or red chili for heat
- Optional garnish: crushed peanuts or sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the fresh pineapple chunks, diced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro or mint to bring a burst of herby flavor to the salad.
- Drizzle the lime juice over the mixture and add the fish sauce or soy sauce (if using), honey or maple syrup, and salt. Toss gently to combine.
- If you like a bit of spice, add sliced jalapeño or red chili to the salad for heat. Toss everything together to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
- Transfer the salad to a serving dish and garnish with crushed peanuts or sesame seeds for a little crunch. Serve immediately, or chill in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
Notes
- For a fruit twist, add other fruits like mango or watermelon for a tropical variation.
- If you want more spice, increase the jalapeño, red chili, or sprinkle chili flakes to your taste.
- This salad is naturally vegan and vegetarian. For a plant-based version, use soy sauce in place of fish sauce, or omit it entirely.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
