This refreshing Pineapple Cucumber Salad is ideal side that goes so well with any dinner or BBQ. It's packed with vitamins and so much crunchiness. It's HEALTHY, all natural and super easy to make! Great for potluck, parties and picnics.
I really enjoy having a salad with each of my meal no matter what season. But summer salads are somehow more special... more juicy, colorful, crunchy... and I don't know... seems like more refreshing.
It's because of all that wonderful summer veggies. And probably because our bodies naturally crave for more refreshment during hot summer days and salads are the perfect way to cool down and nourish the body at the same time.
When temperatures hit 95F+ (35C+), the best salads are the ones that are super easy to make. Like Arugula Beans Salad or Black Bean Avocado Salad. Or this lovely Pineapple Cucumber Salad that I'm sharing with you today. It's bright and bursting with fresh summer flavors. It's a bit addictive too, well at least to me... because of crunchiness.
You may think this is one CRAZY combo, having having a fruit in your veggie salad. But actually, flavors in this salad are well balanced. PERFECT. The sweetness of the pineapple is balanced with the acidity of the lime, and the crunchy sweet red bell pepper goes so well with refreshing cucumber. The addition of aromatic red onion and cilantro are just amazing. This salad just screams SUMMER!
This salad goes perfectly as a side dish with chicken or fish. Especially with grilled chicken or fish which makes this Pineapple Cucumber Salad perfect addition to any sort of BBQ or picnic you have planned. If you're planning bigger family/friends gatherings just make sure you make a double bunch of this salad because believe me it will seduce your guests and disappear quickly from the dinner table. It’s also perfect for those of us who don’t have a lot of time but craves those fresh, sweet flavors of summer.
To make this salad, you'll only need few ingredients, a good knife and few minutes of your time. That's why I love this salad so much. Also, this salad will not only refresh you but it will nourish your body nicely. Pineapple Cucumber Salad may seems like some fruity fun salad, but it's quite nutritious. It's rich in dietary fibers and loaded with many essential vitamins and minerals. Plus, pineapple is known for its superpowers. It's full of antioxidants, boosts our metabolism, helps with weight loss and has anti-inflammatory properties.
In fact, this salad is so addictive and delicious that you might forget that there's a grilled meat or fish served with it... Or maybe not! ;)
For those who are skeptical about this fruity-onion-veggie combo, like my husband, you'll just have to believe me on this one and just go for it. You gonna LOVE this salad... trust me! Actually, I'm pretty sure that this Pineapple Cucumber Salad WILL become one of your favorite summer salad. Like it did to me... and my skeptical husband who doesn't even like pineapple. :)
Enjoy!
Pineapple Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 1 medium pineapple chopped
- 1 large cucumber or 2 small, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- ½ red onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 limes zested and juiced
- ⅓ cup cilantro roughly chopped
- Salt and pepper optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in large salad bowl and toss lightly to distribute the lime juice and zest evenly.
- Season with salt and pepper if desired.
- Serve immediately or keep chilled until ready to serve.
Nutrition
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Kosi says
I made this today thank you for the recipe it was delicious I added cayenne pepper
Natalie says
O wow... cayenne pepper! What a great idea. I must give that a try. I'm so glad you like the salad. Thank you for this lovely feedback. :)
Marisa Franca says
What a terrific looking salad. I love the idea of the fruit with the cucumber -- a salad that's tasty and packed with goodness. We always have seedless cucumbers on hand -- I'll have to pick up some pineapple and make this recipe.
Analida Braeger says
Great salad for summer!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
What a fun salad! This looks delicious and would be great to eat either as a lunch or side salad!!
Isabelle @ Crumb says
This looks so perfect for summer. It reminds me a little of a pineapple salsa I sometimes make for grilled fish... the only complaint I ever have with it is that a spoonful or two of salsa never feels like enough, so I'm loving the sounds of a big bowlful of the same flavours in salad form!
Terry Justison says
so doing this today, i live in fla and have tons of pineapple plants and right now i am getting 3-5 really ripe pineapples a day. have been looking for pineapple recipes. my freezer is about full.
thank you
Natalie says
Oh LUCKY youuuuu :D I would love to have FRESH from plant pineapple every day. I loveee pineapples. Enjoy in salad Tarry! And thanks...
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I think it's a great combo! I do something kind of like this with watermelon and it works really well. Fruit is so versatile!
jill conyers says
This looks delicious Natalie. I love that it's easy to make.
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers says
This is so fresh and delicious! I've made a salad similar to it in the past (cucs, red onion, etc) but never thought to add pineapple. Brilliant!
Esther says
What a gorgeous salad! Take out the onion (cause allergies) and I am all over this one :)
Channon Gray says
This looks so delicious for summer and super easy, I am no cook but even I could manage this one. Quick and easy food is my thing!
Ilka says
This salad just screams refreshment!! So perfectly hydrating for summer!
Carmy @ carmyy.com says
This is perfect for a hot summer day! Get in my belly!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
My kind of salad for sure! So simple and delicious
Abbey Sharp says
Yum this salad looks amazing! Perfect for summer!
Rachel says
This looks like a delicious salad. And I totally agree, when it's super hot, I need something juicy and easy! No one wants to spend time in the kitchen when it's toasty out. :)