If you are looking for a quick and easy lunch recipe, stick around. I’ve got you!
Today, we’re diving into a dish that’s as vibrant and lively as a sunny day in the tropics: the delicious and utterly refreshing Tropical Cucumber Salad. 🌴
This Tropical Cucumber Salad recipe is a straightforward and nutritious option for those seeking a light and healthy meal or side dish.
Combining the fresh flavors of cucumber, avocado, and mango with a tangy lime dressing, this salad offers a balance of sweetness, acidity, and a hint of spice from crushed red pepper.
It’s an easy-to-prepare dish that integrates the nutritional benefits of its ingredients, including dietary fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats.
Ideal for a quick lunch or as a complement to a main course, this salad brings together a variety of textures and flavors that cater to a range of dietary preferences.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Besides being a total showstopper at any table, this Tropical Cucumber Salad is not just about looks.
It’s packed with nutrition—hello, Vitamin C, and A—and comes with a balance of 169 calories per serving, which makes it a guilt-free indulgence.
Plus, it’s a fantastic way to get in your veggies and fruits with a single dish.
Tropical Cucumber Salad Recipe
Below, I’ll go over everything you need to make this amazing salad recipe. Let’s get right into it!
What You’ll Need:
- 1 large bowl
- Cutting board and knife
- Spoon for mixing.
Ingredients
- 3-5 teaspoons fish sauce (see Shopping Tip)
- One teaspoon freshly grated lime zest, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 medium English cucumber, cut into 3/4-inch dice
- 1 avocado, cut into 3/4-inch dice
- 1 mango, cut into 3/4-inch dice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk fish sauce (to taste), lime zest, lime juice, oil, brown sugar, vinegar and crushed red pepper until combined.
- Add cucumber, avocado, mango and cilantro; gently toss to coat.
- Serve garnished with lime zest, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving: 169 calories; 11 g fat ( 1 g sat, 7 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrates; 2 g added sugars; 3 g protein; 5 g fiber; 178 mg sodium; 342 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (45% daily value), Vitamin A (15% dv).
Tips and Notes
- Plan Ahead: If you’re not serving this beauty immediately, no worries! Cover it and let it chill in the fridge for up to an hour. It’s like a short spa moment for your salad, allowing the flavors to mingle and get to know each other better.
- Fish sauce is a pungent Southeast Asian condiment; find it in large supermarkets and Asian markets.
- Prepping Your Mango: If mangos are the divas of the fruit world (and let’s be honest, they kind of are), then here’s a quick backstage tip on how to handle them. Slice off both ends to reveal the seed, stand it upright, and do away with the skin. Then, with the seed playing hard to get, slice the fruit from around it and dice it up for the salad.
So there you have it, my fellow flavor seekers. A salad that’s as easy to make as it is to love, brimming with the tastes and textures of the tropics.
Whether you’re looking to impress at your next dinner party or just treat yourself to something special, this Tropical Cucumber Salad is your ticket to culinary paradise.
Enjoy!
Final Thoughts – Tropical Cucumber Salad
So that’s it! So simple, right!? Not only is the Tropical Cucumber Salad simple, but it’s such a flavorful dish that showcases the combination of fresh fruits and vegetables with a light, tangy dressing.
Its preparation is uncomplicated, requiring only basic kitchen tools and a few minutes of your time.
This salad is appealing not only for its taste but also for its health benefits, making it a suitable choice for those looking to add more fruits and vegetables to their diet.
Whether you’re making it ahead for a gathering or assembling it for a quick meal, this salad is a reliable and enjoyable option.
