Easy Bell Pepper and Cucumber Salad (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

👪Why You'll Love This Recipe

Here is why we are obsessed with this cucumber pepper salad:

• Easy to Make: With straightforward prep and simple ingredients, this salad comes together in no time.
• Versatile Delicious Dressing: Our ginger sesame dressing does not need to be blended and is perfect on any salad or as a marinade for proteins.
• Flavorful Salad: Our cucumber pepper salad is packed with flavors and is anything but boring! With crisp textures and rich, tangy flavors that make every bite satisfying.
• Easy to Meal Prep: Make extra dressing to keep on hand, saving time and money!

🥗Ingredients

Our bell pepper and cucumber salad is a refreshing choice for a healthy meal. It is made with simple ingredients and is completely gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free. Here is what you need:

• Mini Cucumbers: I prefer to use mini cucumbers for their firm, crisp texture and refreshing taste versus using a larger English cucumber. Thinly sliced, they absorb the dressing well, ensuring you get a crunchy salad packed with flavor.
• Sweet Mini Peppers: Similarly, I like to use mini peppers and cut them as rings. They pair well with the sliced cucumbers and create a fun pop of color and texture.
• Green Onions: I add these in to give our version of this viral salad a slight kick to balance the sweetness of the peppers.
• Everything Bagel Seasoning: This adds a nice crunch and savory flavor.
• Chili Crisps: Adding chili crisps makes just kicks this salad up a notch! We love adding this in, but you can omit it if preparing for children or those who prefer no heat. At our house, I remove my little kids' portion and add this in for the rest of us.

Ginger Sesame Dressing Ingredients:

• Sesame Oil: I love using sesame oil for its rich, nutty base for salad dressing.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds a bright, acidic note to balance the flavors.
• Gluten-free Soy Sauce (or Tamari): Soy sauce paired so well with sesame oil, adding a rich, savory flavor.
• Maple Syrup: I like adding maple syrup for its sweetness but also slightly caramel flavor. This will help balance your dressing and complement the tanginess of the vinegar. Sub with honey or sugar if you don't have access to maple syrup.
• Fresh Ginger: I highly recommend using fresh ginger if you can.
• Garlic Powder: I choose to add garlic powder to help keep this recipe easy (no need to blend the dressing). It helps add that warm, savory note without overpowering the sauce, letting the ginger shine through.
• Fresh Dill: I added dill to this salad dressing for some extra texture and flavor (I also had extra dill lying around, so why not! A happy addition)
• Salt and Pepper: For seasoning, adjust to taste.

Note on Gluten Sensitivity: When preparing this salad, it’s important to check that all ingredients, especially chili crisps, soy sauce, and bagel seasoning, are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.

For quantities be sure to check out the recipe card below.

👩🏽‍🍳Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Wash and dry the cucumbers, bell peppers, and green onions thoroughly to ensure they are clean. Then, dry them with a clean kitchen towel.

Step 2: Slice the Veggies

Using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife, slice the cucumbers and bell peppers into thin, even strips. This will help them pick up more of the dressing and make the salad more visually appealing with uniform pieces. Slice the green onions thinly as well.

Pro Tip: Cut the tops off your peppers, then scoop out the seeds with a small spoon. I like to use my ½ teaspoon spoon to scoop out any remaining seeds before slicing.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, combine the sesame oil, rice vinegar, gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, maple syrup, grated ginger, garlic powder, fresh dill, salt and pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until well blended.

Step 4: Combine Salad Ingredients

Place the sliced vegetables in a large bowl. Pour the ginger sesame dressing and chili crisps over the veggies, tossing gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Pro Tip: If preparing for children or those who prefer no heat, omit the chili crisps and add them to the serving bowls for those who enjoy some heat.

Step 5: Marinate Your Cucumber Pepper Salad

Allow the salad to sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This resting time lets the vegetables marinate, absorbing the rich flavors of the dressing and transforming it into a perfect side dish.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Just before serving, sprinkle the everything bagel seasoning over the salad. This final touch adds a nice layer of texture and a boost of flavor.

Cucumber pepper salad is a refreshing side dish that pairs well with grilled meats or as a standalone healthy snack.

💡Recipe Tips

We make bell pepper and cucumber salad often, it has become our new favorite summer side salad to have. Here are some of our top tips we want to share:

• Slicing Your Veggies: For the best texture for your cucumber pepper salad, slice the cucumbers and peppers to ⅛-1/4 inch thick (the thickness of a loonie for my Canadian friends).
• Dealing with Pepper Seeds: Although mini peppers typically have fewer seeds, if you want a complete seed-less salad just cut the tops off your peppers, then scoop out the seeds with a small spoon. I like to use my ½ teaspoon spoon to scoop out any remaining seeds before slicing.
• Marinate your Bell Pepper and Cucumber Salad: After dressing, let your cucumber pepper salad sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
• Creamy Sesame Ginger Dressing Version: For a smoother, more uniform dressing, consider blending the dressing ingredients.

🥒Tips For Kids: Will My Kid Eat This?

As a mama to three boys, each having their own taste preferences I am always looking for ways that my recipes can be adjusted to everyone's preferences. Here are some tips that have helped me when serving this cucumber bell pepper salad to my kiddos:

• Customize the Heat: Serve the salad plain for the kids and add chili crisps to individual portions as needed. This allows everyone to enjoy the salad at their preferred spice level.
• Dressing Choices: If introducing new vegetables seems daunting, try using a dressing that your children already love, like honey mustard or a simple Italian dressing. Familiar flavors can help new vegetables become more appealing.
• Involve Your Children: Let your kids choose which vegetables to add to the salad; my little one loves adding avocado and olives, while my middle guy likes to pick the color of the pepper we add-in. This not only makes the meal more engaging for them but also increases the likelihood they'll enjoy eating it.