This is the best Cucumber & Sweet Bell Pepper Salad recipe that recreates the TikTok recipe that went viral thanks to @rachel_kirkconnell.
This TikTok Viral Cucumber & Sweet Bell Pepper Salad recipe is a crunchy cucumber salad that incorporates mini sweet bell peppers, ginger salad dressing, everything but the bagel sesame seasoning blend (also called EBTB seasoning for short), and a chili crunch oil.
This isn't your typical Midwest cucumber salad. I grew up in Kansas where cucumber salads consisted of sliced cucumbers in a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise or sour cream. I never liked a traditional Midwest cucumber salad.
Instead, this crunchy cucumber salad incorporates several Asian inspired flavors since it use ginger dressing, chili crunch oil, and sesame seeds from the everything but the bagel seasoning blend.
This crunchy cucumber salad is quick and easy. It only takes about 5 minutes to toss together, making it a fast salad to prepare. The Cucumber & Sweet Bell Pepper Salad is perfect for a quick snack or as a healthy side dish.
Why you’ll love this Cucumber & Sweet Bell Pepper Salad
- This crunchy cucumber salad is perfect for summer! Cucumbers and bell peppers provide a refreshing and hydrating element to this salad. The Cucumber & Bell Pepper Salad is a perfect dish when you're looking for a light and cooling meal.
- Cucumbers and bell peppers are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are low in calories but rich in essential nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium.
Recipe Ingredients
- Mini Cucumbers (also called Persian cucumbers)
- Bell peppers (assorted colors, either mini or regular)
- Ginger dressing
- Everything But the Bagel (EBTB) sesame seasoning blend
- Chili crunch oil
Ingredient Notes
Mini cucumbers: Mini cucumbers, also known as Persian cucumbers or baby cucumbers, are smaller-sized cucumbers, typically around 5-6 inches long. They have a thin, tender skin, are crisp and crunchy, and have fewer seeds compared to regular cucumbers. You could use a regular cucumber, but mini cucumbers taste the best in this recipe.
Bell peppers: I prefer to use mini bell peppers in this recipe. Mini bell peppers, also known as sweet baby bell peppers or snack peppers, are small-sized bell peppers that have a sweet and crisp flavor similar to regular bell peppers. I purchase a bag of mini peppers that contain various colors, such as red, yellow, and orange.
Ginger dressing: You can make your own homemade ginger dressing or buy a pre-made version at your local grocery store. Ginger dressing is a flavorful dressing or sauce made primarily from fresh ginger root and typically includes ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and sometimes honey or sugar for sweetness. Ginger dressing adds a tangy, slightly sweet, and gingery kick to salads.
Everything But the Bagel sesame seasoning: Everything But the Bagel Sesame seasoning blend is a delicious mix of sesame seeds, salt, garlic, onion, and other spices, creating a flavorful seasoning reminiscent of the popular "everything bagel" flavor. You can find it at Trader Joes, Aldi, and other grocery stores.
Chili crunch oil: Chili crunch oil is a spicy and flavorful condiment made with chili peppers, garlic, and other aromatic ingredients. It adds a kick of heat and a crunchy texture to dishes, perfect for adding a bold and spicy flavor to your meals.
How to Make TikTok Viral Cucumber & Sweet Bell Pepper Salad
Making a Cucumber and Sweet Bell Pepper salad is easy! Just slice cucumbers and bell peppers, add the sauces and seasoning blend, and toss together. It's a quick and refreshing salad that you can customize.
Step 1: Cut the mini cucumbers into slices about ¼ inch thick. Chop the mini sweet peppers into bite sized pieces.
Step 2: Add the ginger dressing, seasoning, and chili crunch oil. Toss together and serve.
📖 Recipe
TikTok Viral Cucumber & Sweet Bell Pepper Salad
Ingredients
- 3 mini cucumbers (Persian cucumbers)
- 3 mini sweet peppers (red, yellow, and orange)
- 1-2 tablespoons ginger dressing
- 1 teaspoon Everything But the Bagel Sesame seasoning blend
- 1-2 teaspoons chili crunch oil
Instructions
- Cut the mini cucumbers into slices about ¼ inch thick. Chop the mini sweet peppers into bite sized pieces.
- Add the ginger dressing, seasoning, and chili crunch oil. Toss together and serve.
Notes
- If you are hesitant to add the spicy chili crunch oil, start adding it in slowly. It is harder to make the salad less spicy than adding spice to it.
- For the tastiest cucumber salad, it's best to eat it on the same day you make it. If you wait too long, the veggies will lose their crunchiness. If you want to make the salad ahead of time, you can put all the ingredients together, but don't add the dressing and oil. Keep everything in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you're ready to eat, add the dressings.
- To make the salad taste even better, put it in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes. This lets the dressing soak into the veggies and allows the flavors to blend together.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- If you are hesitant to add the spicy chili crunch oil, start adding it in slowly. It is harder to make the salad less spicy than adding spice to it.
- For the tastiest cucumber salad, it's best to eat it on the same day you make it. If you wait too long, the veggies will lose their crunchiness. If you want to make the salad ahead of time, you can put all the ingredients together, but don't add the dressing and oil. Keep everything in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you're ready to eat, add the dressings.
- To make the salad taste even better, put it in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes. This lets the dressing soak into the veggies and allows the flavors to blend together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you peel cucumbers for a salad?
No, you do not have to peel cucumbers to use in a salad, but it really depends on your personal preference. Some people like to peel cucumbers before using them in a salad, while others leave the skin on. The skin is safe to eat and has nutrients. If you don't like the texture or prefer a smoother salad, you can peel the cucumbers.
Is chili crunch oil and chili paste the same thing?
No, chili crunch oil and chili paste are not the same. Chili paste is typically a thick, smooth paste made from ground chili peppers. It often includes other ingredients like garlic, oil, and spices. On the other hand, chili crunch oil is a condiment that consists of crispy chili flakes, garlic, and sometimes other ingredients like oil and spices. It has a crunchy texture and adds both heat and flavor to dishes. While both can add spiciness, they have different textures and flavor profiles.
Who is Rachel Kirkconnell?
Rachel Kirkconnell is a television personality known for appearing as a contestant on the 25th season of the reality dating show "The Bachelor." She is also a social media influencer on places like TikTok and Instagram. The Cucumber and Sweet Bell Pepper Salad recipe first went viral after she posted her own recipe on TikTok in March of 2023.
Additions and Substitutions
Many variations of the TikTok Viral Cucumber & Sweet Bell Pepper Salad can be made!
People chimed in on the comments section of the original TikTok video. Some of the suggested additions include:
- Avocado
- Fet cheese
- Toasted sesame oil
- Spring onions
- Edamame
- Shredded carrots
- Cherry or grape tomatoes
- Sliced white onions
This crunchy cucumber salad can be taken from an easy side dish to a satisfying meal by incorporating protein. Add tofu as a vegan/vegetarian option, or you can add grilled chicken. Tuna or salmon would also be a perfect pairing with this salad. Serve with quinoa or rice to add some carbohydrates to your meal.
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