Light, crunchy, crisp and full of fresh flavors. This No Lettuce Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad has made its way across the Internet and for a good reason. Simple ingredients, easy to make, healthy and OH so tasty.
I absolutely love this salad
I get nerdy when I start the introduction of recipe posts because I often geek out over how this recipe came to be. And this sweet pepper salad recipe simply came to be because “fake spring” rolled into the midwest in early March this year. If you live in the midwest, you know what euphoric joy “fake spring” brings to everything. Case in point: my kitchen and this crisp cucumber bell pepper salad recipe recipe!
Then low and behold it was snowing in April (hence the ‘fake’ aspect). However, I jumped on the opportunity to explore the trendy Cucumber and Sweet Peppers salad recipe and it did not disappoint.
The colorful salad feel like a dish I could order at an Asian Fusion restaurant and obsess over how developed the flavors are, but being so simple at the same time.
I pictured this crunchy salad recipe as using whatever fresh vegetables you’ve picked up from your local farmers market or picked from the garden covered in a drinkable sauce that almost resembles a sweet, umami pickling…with a little kick, of course.
Recipe Ingredients
- Veggies: Mini bell peppers and mini cucumbers are the star of the show. We’ll also add white onion, green onions, and optionally jalapeño.
- Fresh herbs: Any combination of fresh dill, fresh parsley, fresh mint, basil, cilantro, etc.
- Dressing: We will make a homemade dressing from sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, olive oil or avocado oil, honey, and lime juice.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Veggies: Literally any vegetable you love. Not all are created equally in the eyes of the mandolin so select the right knife/cutting mechanism based on the veggie. Some options: Celery, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, water chestnuts, edamame, jicama, etc. Fresh ginger grated in would add great flavor.
- Dressing: Opt for a store-bought dressing instead of homemade dressing if you prefer. Any Asian Vinaigrette will do (like this ginger sesame dressing). Or take this salad in another direction and try a sweeter dressing like poppy seed or a coleslaw dressing.
- Toppings: Add some crunchy texture with wonton strips or crushed peanuts. Sesame seeds (or sesame oil) bagel seasoning, pine nuts, or slivered almonds on top are tasty options, too. Add a drizzle of chili oil or chili crisp for a little extra heat.
How to Make This Recipe
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients until combined: sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, olive oil, honey, and lime juice.
2. Using a mandoline slicer, thinly slice all the vegetables: cucumbers, mini peppers (I like to remove the seeds inside prior), jalapeño, white onion, and carrots. Add to the bowl with the dressing.
3. Use a knife and cutting board to finely chop the fresh mint (stems removed) and green onion into small pieces. Add to the mixing bowl.
4. Toss everything together until the veggies are coated. Give it a taste test and tweak as needed (too bitter? add more honey, want a stronger kick? Add more jalapeño or a spoonful of gouchugang or sriracha). Enjoy!!
PRO TIPS
- If you do not have a mandolin, use a cutting board and fine chef’s knife for all of the slicing and dicing you’re about to embark on! The key is to keep everything as thin as possible.
Recipe FAQs
Sore your bell pepper cucumber salad in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Some vegetables have a higher water content than others (looking at you, cucumbers) so as it sits more liquid may pool in your storage container. Just give it a good toss and you’ll be good to go.
Pro tip: Salt your cucumbers and let them sit before adding to the salad. This’ll dry out some of the extra moisture which will be particularly helpful if you’re planning to meal prep this salad.
You can make your own by combining sriracha, honey, soy sauce and garlic. Add some rice vinegar for a little tang, too.
My Cucumber Pepper Salad is fairly similar to the original viral cucumber pepper salad. Many of the other versions I’ve seen switch it up with the addition of creamy avocado, olives, feta cheese, or even grape tomatoes. Feel free to throw in what sounds good.
Serving suggestions
On a big ‘ole bowl of cottage cheese!!! It’s my absolute favorite snack pairing, especially in the summertime (same way I serve my Cannellini Bean Salad and my Chickpea Cobb Salad). This Asian salad also makes a perfect side dish for my Teriyaki Ground Turkey recipe, Miso Salmon or 15 Minute Udon Noodles to make it a complete meal.
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Cucumber Bell Pepper Salad
Equipment
- mandolin slicer
- knife and cutting board
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 lime, juiced
Salad
- 2 large carrots, peeled
- 9 mini bell peppers
- 5 mini cucumbers
- 1 small jalapeno, optional
- 1/2 small white onion
- 3 stalks green onions
- 1 cup fresh herbs, at least 1/2 mint + fresh dill, cilantro, fresh parsley, etc
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients until combined: sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, olive oil, honey, and lime juice.
- Using a mandolin slicer, thinly slice all the vegetables: cucumbers, mini peppers (I like to remove the seeds inside prior), jalapeño, white onion, and carrots.
- Use a knife and cutting board to finely chop the fresh mint (stems removed) and green onion into small pieces.
- Add veggies and herbs to the bowl with the dressing and toss everything together until the veggies are coated.
- Give it a taste test and tweak as needed (too bitter? add more honey, want a stronger kick? Add more jalapeño or a spoonful of gouchugang or sriracha). Enjoy!!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you’re using MyFitnessPal, search ‘A Paige Of Positivity’ and find Cucumber Bell Pepper Salad calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
We made this alongside the ground turkey teriyaki bowls and both are fabulous! So fresh and so flavorful.
I made this salad thinking, “How good can cucumbers and bell peppers really be without lettuce?” Turns out, shockingly good. It felt healthy, fancy, and slightly superior to everyone who still eats iceberg. 10/10, would betray lettuce again. 🥒🌶️💅