Cucumber Ranch Salad with Fresh Vegetables and Creamy Dressing
A refreshing vegetable salad featuring crisp English cucumbers, red onion, and tomatoes tossed in a creamy homemade ranch dressing. The cucumbers are salted and drained to remove excess moisture, creating the perfect texture that holds the flavorful dressing. Made with paleo mayonnaise and fresh herbs, this salad offers a lighter take on classic ranch flavors. Perfect as a side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or weeknight dinners, it stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs English cucumbers, cut into half moonsregular cucumbers1:1
May need extra salting time
- 1 tbsp sea salt
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 roma tomatoes, seeded and cut into half moons
- 2 sprigs fresh dill
- ⅓ cup paleo mayonnaiseregular mayonnaise1:1
Works but not paleo
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp dried chives
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- 1
Cut cucumber and place in colander over sink or bowl
- 2
Sprinkle with salt and allow to drain for 30 minutes
- 3
Slice red onion
- 4
Slice tomatoes
- 5
Rinse cucumber and pat dry
- 6
Place cucumber in bowl with red onion, tomatoes, and fresh dill
- 7
Whisk together ranch dressing ingredients in small jar or bowl
- 8
Drizzle salad with ranch and serve
Tips
Salt the cucumbers for the full 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture and prevent a watery salad
Pat the cucumbers completely dry after rinsing to ensure the dressing adheres properly
Make the ranch dressing fresh for best flavor, or prepare it up to a day ahead
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days
Can be made up to 1 day ahead, store dressing separately
Serve chilled as a side dish
Common Mistakes
Skip the salting step to avoid watery salad
Don't rinse cucumbers thoroughly to avoid excess salt
Substitutions
Works but not paleo
May need extra salting time
FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare it up to a day ahead. Store the dressing separately and toss just before serving for best texture.
What if I don't have paleo mayonnaise?
Regular mayonnaise works perfectly as a substitute. The salad just won't be paleo-compliant anymore.
How long will this keep in the refrigerator?
The salad will stay fresh covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, though it's best within the first 2 days.