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Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad

A creamy, crunchy, and addictive salad packed with fresh cucumbers, tangy ranch flavors, and crispy bacon bits, perfect for barbecues and picnics.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 230
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 cups cucumbers, sliced Look for firm cucumbers like English cucumbers.
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced Can swap for green onions if desired.
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved Sweet grape tomatoes work well too.
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped Fresh herbs make a huge difference.
  • 1/3 cup green onions, sliced Adds another layer of flavor.
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Go for sharp cheddar for more flavor punch.
  • 1/3 cup cooked bacon bits Cook until crispy for the best texture.
Dressing Ingredients
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix Homemade ranch seasoning is also an option.
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise Use full-fat for creaminess or Greek yogurt for lighter options.
  • 1/2 cup sour cream Can substitute with Greek yogurt.
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice Freshly squeezed is preferred.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Wash and slice your cucumbers, dice the red onion, halve the cherry tomatoes, and chop the fresh dill.
Mixing the Salad
  1. In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, diced red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped dill, sliced green onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon bits.
Making the Dressing
  1. In another bowl, whisk together the ranch seasoning mix, mayonnaise, sour cream, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
Combining
  1. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
Chilling
  1. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to develop flavors.
Serving
  1. Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss and enjoy!

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can make it up to a day in advance; just hold off on adding the bacon until serving.