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This cool creamy cucumber cheddar bacon combo is a total flavor bomb that won't slow you down. Crispy cucumber and savory bacon make a great team, and the cheddar with ranch ties it all together. It's my go-to when I need something fast for a picnic or when I have people to feed last minute. Never met a table where it stuck around for long!
I once tossed this together for a summer BBQ thinking it'd just fill a spot on the table. Next thing I know, everyone's asking how to make it. That's when I knew it was a crowd favorite.
Tasty Ingredients
- Cucumbers: Pick English cucumbers for soft skin and barely any seeds, or peel and scoop out seeds from regular ones if you want less crunch
- Cheddar cheese, shredded: Use sharp for bold flavor, grate it yourself so it mixes in best
- Crumbled bacon, cooked: Freshly cooked is totally worth it for flavor, but high quality bacon bits save time in a pinch
- Sour cream or ranch: Full fat gives you the creamiest scoop, Greek yogurt also works for a tangy feel
- Dill: This fresh herb wakes up the whole dish – always go fresh when you can but dry is fine too
- Pepper and salt: Use cracked pepper and sea salt, sprinkle right before eating and taste as you go
Simple How-To
- Chill Down:
- Pop the finished salad in the fridge covered for at least ten minutes. Let everything soak up those flavors, or skip straight to eating if you're in a hurry for maximum crunch.
- Get Everything Mixed In:
- Sprinkle cheese, bacon, and dill on top, then gently mix it all together. Every scoop should give you a bit of everything!
- Slice the Cucumbers:
- Wash them up and pat dry. Cut into thin rounds — about a quarter inch works well. If they’re regular kind, go ahead and peel and deseed for the best feel.
- Season to Finish:
- Add some salt and black pepper, just a bit at first. Give it a gentle final mix so cucumbers stay crisp.
- Add the Dressing:
- Drop those cucumber slices into a bowl. Coat everything with ranch or sour cream until it looks nice and creamy.
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Dill totally lifts this salad every single time. It’s a trick I picked up from my mom—she’d toss fresh dill on anything with cucumbers and suddenly simple salads tasted fancy.
Keep It Fresh
Best way to enjoy this cucumber cheddar bacon salad is right after you make it. Cucumbers get watery if left too long! Store any extras in a sealed dish in the fridge, but don’t wait more than a day. Give it a stir or let off any extra liquid before digging in again.
Swap Outs
No ranch? Go with sour cream or mix Greek yogurt with a bit of mayo for zip. Bacon can be swapped for turkey bacon or even smoked nuts if you want crunch and smoky flavor. Want it vegetarian? Toss in roasted sunflower seeds instead of meat.
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Serving Ideas
This goes great with BBQ chicken, burgers, or any kind of sandwich. Perfect solo for a quick lunch or pile it on crackers for a snack. Sometimes I scoop it into pita with lettuce and call it a wrap.
Behind the Dish
You’ll see versions of cucumber salad everywhere, from creamy Midwest concoctions to dill-loaded Eastern European bowls. This blend picks up American cheddar and bacon vibes with all the cool crunch you expect--easy to share, hard not to go back for seconds!
Common Questions
- → Which kind of cucumber is best?
English cucumbers are super soft and barely have seeds, but regular cucumbers work too if you take off the skin and scoop out the seeds.
- → Is using pre-cooked bacon okay?
Fresh-cooked bacon wins for taste and crunch, but if you're in a hurry, pre-cooked bacon pieces will do the trick just fine.
- → Do I need dill for this?
Dill gives it a herby kick, but you can skip it or use less if that's more your style.
- → How long should it be chilled before you dig in?
Give it at least 10 minutes in the fridge or just let it hang out at room temp for a few minutes so the flavors get to know each other.
- → Can I swap ranch for sour cream?
Totally! Either ranch or sour cream make a creamy base. Mix them or pick your favorite—either way, it’s tasty.