This 4-ingredient Pineapple Cucumber Salad is a simple side dish recipe with amazing flavor! Zing and tang! It's so easy because it's ready in under 10 minutes. Whole30 too!
Oh, the sweet colors and tastes of summer! I can't get enough after a rainy northwest winter. This Pineapple Cucumber Salad is perfect; it is light and airy but packs some delicious flavor. It's also healthy, low-calorie, and gluten-free!
And how about a fruit salad recipe you can make in minutes? You in?
I thought so! I just love a dish you can throw together, and it looks this good and tastes even better. If you're a fan of sweet pineapple, these Grilled Pineapple Meatballs are an easy one, too! My family gives them a thumbs up.
Can you picture this fresh little salad chilling at your backyard BBQ or maybe having a laid-back Sunday at your brunch table?
Other healthy recipes you'll want to try are Couscous Salad with Broccoli and 10-minute Pineapple Salsa! Delish!
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Step By Step Instructions
This recipe is so easy!
Step 1 - Cut Ingredients
Chop pineapple and cucumber into chunks.
Step 2 - Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine pineapple, cucumber, cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice, and sprinkle to taste with salt, if using.
Step 3 - Serve
Serve immediately, or keep in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors blend together.
Interestingly enough, we heard some aren't fans of cilantro. You say it tastes like soap. Well, good news! You can make this salad with basil or mint, too! Just omit the cilantro and substitute the same amount of fresh minced basil (or mint).
If you like cilantro, you have to try this Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing! It's our favorite for salads (any time of year) and as a marinade for meat!
Finally, zest on some lime and then drizzle on fresh lime juice. The flavors really come together if you can let it sit for just a little while.
Tips & Tricks
- Pineapple: Fresh-cut pineapple is best, but you can also grab a container of precut pineapple for an even quicker recipe.
- Let It Rest: I like the flavors to meld together, so you can eat this salad as soon as it's made, but it's even better if it sits in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
- Cucumber: If using an English cucumber, the skin is thin enough to leave on, so there is no need to peel.
- Lime: Fresh is best when it comes to lime, in my opinion. I like fresh lime for this recipe, but you can use the refrigerated jar variety if that's what you have on hand.
How to Turn this into Pineapple Cucumber Salsa
This fresh pineapple salad is versatile. You can totally make it into a salsa to serve with chips! I do it all the time!
Just chop your pineapple and cucumber into more of a dice than a chunk. Add some diced jalapeños to your liking and ¼ cup diced onion, and it's ready for poolside dipping!
How To Serve Pineapple Cucumber Salad
How pretty would the fresh pineapple salad be next to grilled fish or a zesty fish taco? Needless to say, this recipe makes a perfect side to most summer dishes. Here are a few combos I think would be perfect:
- BBQ Pork or Pulled Pork
- Grilled Fish
- Fish Tacos
- Herbed Grilled Chicken
Kitchen Utinsels Used
Microplane - excellent for hard cheeses, onions, citrus fruits, ginger, and more!
Lemon/Lime Squeezer - perfect for getting all the juice out of your citrus fruit! Dishwasher safe.
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See below for a Video on How to Make Pineapple Cucumber Salad
Printable Recipe
Easy Pineapple Cucumber Salad Recipe
Equipment
- large bowl
- Spatula or cooking spoon
Ingredients
- 1 fresh pineapple (chopped)
- 1 English cucumber (chopped)
- 2 fresh limes (zested and juiced)
- ⅓ cup cilantro (minced)
- salt (optional)
Instructions
- Chop pineapple and cucumber into chunks.
- In a large bowl, combine pineapple, cucumber, cilantro, lime zest, lime juice and sprinkle to taste with salt if using.
- Serve immediately, or keep in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors blend together.
Video
Notes
- Pineapple: Fresh-cut pineapple is best, but feel free to grab a container of precut pineapple for an even quicker recipe.
- Let It Rest: I like the flavors to meld together, so you can eat this salad as soon as it's made, but it's even better if it sits in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
- Cucumber: If using an English cucumber, the skin is thin enough to leave on, so there is no need to peel.
- Lime: Fresh is best when it comes to lime, in my opinion. I like fresh lime for this recipe, but you can use the refrigerated jar variety if that's what you have on hand.
- Storing: This recipe's shelf life is short, as the pineapple weeps and gets watery, so it truly is best the day you make it.
Nutrition
Enjoy this salad during the summer, but really, it's good any time of the year!
Olivia says
Most refreshing
It has the zing and the tang
The crunch and the munch
With the right amount of punch
Simply Love it
Erin Henry says
Yeah! So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Olivia. It's so easy and just the right amount of punch 🙂
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says
This salad just screams summer! I love how bright and fresh it is - so perfect for jazzing up some grilled chicken! Great idea, too, to turn it into salsa! Yum!
Erin says
Totally agree, Kathryn! This recipe really jazzes up grilled fish or chicken. Perfect for summer!
Holly says
This looks like a perfect summer salad! Easy, healthy and delicious!! #winning
Erin says
Yes, healthy and delicious! Love it when that combo along with easy because that makes for the perfect recipe!
Kristen says
Such a perfect combination. It is a perfect combo for fish tacos.
Erin says
Yes, this salad (or salsa if you prefer) is a perfect complement to fish tacos. It's so light and tasty!