Print

Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A nostalgic Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad combining fresh veggies and creamy ranch dressing, perfect for gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 34 medium English or 8-10 Persian cucumbers (22.5 lbs)
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 pint (2 cups) cherry/grape tomatoes, halved
  • 8 slices thick-cut beef bacon, cooked crispy & crumbled
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried dill weed
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley flakes
  • 1/4 tsp dried chives (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp salt, to taste
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare vegetables: Peel cucumbers partially or fully, then slice into 1/4-inch rounds. For extra crispness, lightly salt the cucumbers with about 1/2 tsp for 15-20 minutes, then blot dry. Thinly slice the red onion and halve the cherry or grape tomatoes.
  2. Make homemade ranch dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), buttermilk, and lemon juice. Add garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill weed, dried parsley flakes, any optional dried chives, salt, pepper, and an optional pinch of sugar. Whisk until smooth. Cover and chill for at least 30-60 minutes.
  3. Cook beef bacon: Cook thick-cut beef bacon until crispy (bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or pan-fry). Drain on paper towels, then crumble into bite-sized pieces once cooled.
  4. Prepare add-ins: Shred the sharp cheddar cheese and finely chop the fresh dill and fresh chives, preparing these for the salad.
  5. Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared cucumbers, red onion, and halved tomatoes. Toss in crumbled beef bacon and sharp cheddar cheese.
  6. Dress, toss, and serve: Retrieve the chilled ranch dressing from the fridge. Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is coated. Fold in chopped fresh dill and chives, chilling for best flavor before serving.

Notes

For extra crunch, salt cucumbers beforehand. Dress salad just before serving to maintain freshness.

Nutrition

Scroll to Top