Classic Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad Recipe
A refreshing and flavorful Classic Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad featuring crisp cucumbers, sharp cheddar, savory bacon, and a creamy ranch dressing. Perfect for a quick side dish or light lunch, this salad combines simple ingredients to create a deliciously tangy and crunchy experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No Cook (except for bacon preparation)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 cups cucumbers, sliced (English or Persian cucumbers preferred, cut into ¼-inch rounds)
- 2 tbsp finely chopped red onion
- 1–2 tbsp chopped fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried dill)
Dairy
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
Meat
- ⅓ cup cooked bacon, crumbled (4–5 slices)
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning mix (like Hidden Valley)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Bacon: Crisp up the bacon in a pan or microwave until fully cooked and crispy, then crumble it and let it cool to room temperature.
- Slice the Cucumbers: Cut cucumbers into ¼-inch rounds without peeling if using English or Persian cucumbers, ensuring freshness and crunch.
- Make the Ranch Dressing: In a small bowl, stir together sour cream and dry ranch seasoning mix until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine sliced cucumbers, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped red onion, and dill.
- Add the Dressing: Pour the ranch dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Season and Serve: Season the salad with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- Use English or Persian cucumbers for best texture and flavor; no need to peel.
- Bacon can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge to speed up prep.
- Adjust ranch seasoning and sour cream quantities for creaminess preference.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavor but is optional.
- Can be served as a side dish or a light, refreshing snack.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: cucumber salad, ranch salad, bacon salad, easy salad recipe, summer salad, creamy salad, cheddar cheese salad
