Description
A fresh and creamy Jalapeno Popper Cucumber Salad that combines crisp Persian cucumbers with a spicy jalapeno kick, rich cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and smoky seasonings. This quick and easy salad is perfect as a cool, flavorful side dish or snack, ready in just 5 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 Persian cucumbers
- ½ red onion
- 1 jalapeno
Dressing & Seasonings
- 3–4 tbsp cream cheese (preferably with herbs)
- 1 tbsp Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ⅓ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp coarse sea salt
- ¼ tsp soy sauce (regular or light, optional)
Cheese & Garnish
- 3–4 tbsp sharp cheddar cheese
- Sesame seeds (black & white, for garnish)
Instructions
- Slice the cucumbers: Using a mandolin or a sharp knife on a cutting board, slice the unpeeled Persian cucumbers into ½ cm (¼ inch) thick rounds.
- Combine cucumbers in a bowl: Place the sliced cucumbers into a mixing bowl or a jar for easy tossing.
- Add diced aromatics: Dice the red onion and jalapeno, then add them on top of the cucumber slices in the bowl or jar.
- Add creamy ingredients and spices: Spoon in the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, and sharp cheddar cheese. Optionally, add a splash of soy sauce to enhance umami flavors.
- Toss or shake to combine: If using a bowl, toss everything thoroughly so the creamy dressing evenly coats the ingredients. If using a jar, secure the lid and shake well until fully mixed.
- Serve and garnish: Transfer the salad onto a serving plate and sprinkle generously with black and white sesame seeds. Enjoy chilled.
Notes
- For a spicier salad, keep the jalapeno seeds; for milder flavor, remove seeds before dicing.
- Use fresh cream cheese with herbs for added flavor, or plain cream cheese works well too.
- Greek yogurt can be substituted with sour cream for a richer texture.
- Serve this salad immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
- This salad is best enjoyed cold and fresh for maximum crispness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: jalapeno popper cucumber salad, cucumber salad, jalapeno salad, creamy cucumber salad, quick salad recipe, vegetarian salad, spicy cucumber salad
