Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups fresh pineapple, diced (about half a medium pineapple)
- 1 large cucumber, peeled and diced (English cucumber works great)
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional but recommended for that bright flavor)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (substitute with agave for a vegan option)
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or 1 small fresh jalapeño, finely chopped (optional, for a little kick)
- Salt to taste (start with 1/4 teaspoon)
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil (optional, adds richness)
Instructions
- Start by prepping your ingredients. Dice the fresh pineapple into bite-sized chunks and peel and dice the cucumber. If you want to avoid bitterness, peel the cucumber first—English cucumbers are great because their skin is thinner and less bitter.
- Finely chop the red onion and cilantro. If you’re using jalapeño for a bit of heat, mince it finely—remember to remove seeds if you want to tone down the spice.
- In a large bowl, combine the pineapple, cucumber, red onion, and cilantro. Toss gently to mix.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the lime juice, honey (or maple syrup), olive oil, chili flakes (if using), salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Pour the dressing over the pineapple mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated. This is where the magic happens—those simple ingredients come alive with the tangy-sweet dressing.
- Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This resting time lets the flavors meld beautifully, just like the slow-cooked meals my dad used to tell stories about while stirring lentils. It’s worth the wait.
- Give it one last gentle toss and taste. Adjust seasoning if needed—sometimes a little extra lime juice or salt helps brighten everything up.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Pineapple Cucumber Salad, recipe, cooking, food
