🌞 Refreshing Pineapple Cucumber Salad (Vegan-Friendly) 🍍🥒
Looking for a light, zesty, and totally refreshing salad to brighten your day? This Pineapple Cucumber Salad is a burst of tropical sunshine in every bite! Perfect for summer picnics, BBQ sides, or as a quick lunch bowl, it combines sweet pineapple, crisp cucumbers, and a kick of jalapeño for a flavor-packed dish that’s both simple and stunning. 💚
Best of all? It’s vegan-friendly, totally customizable, and comes together in just minutes!
📝 Ingredients:
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🍍 2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
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🥒 1 large English cucumber, sliced or chopped
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🌶️ 1 small jalapeño, finely minced (remove seeds for less heat)
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🧅 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
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🌿 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
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🍋 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
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🍯 1 tbsp maple syrup (or agave for a twist)
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🫒 1 tbsp olive oil
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🌶️ 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
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🧂 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
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⚫ 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
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❌ Optional (non-vegan): If you’re sharing with non-vegan friends, you can top with crumbled plant-based feta for extra creaminess.
👩🍳 Directions:
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the pineapple, cucumber, jalapeño, red onion, and cilantro. Give it a gentle toss.
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In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the lime juice, maple syrup, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
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Pour the dressing over the salad and toss again to evenly coat all the ingredients.
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If using vegan feta, sprinkle it over the top just before serving. (Try brands like Violife or Follow Your Heart!)
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Let the salad chill for 10–15 minutes in the fridge to let the flavors marry beautifully. 💫
🥗 Serving Size:
Serves 4
🔥 Estimated Calories:
120 per serving (without vegan feta)
💡 Tips & Swaps:
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Add avocado for extra creaminess 🥑
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Swap mint for cilantro for a twist in flavor 🌿
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Use grilled pineapple for a smoky-sweet upgrade 🔥
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For extra crunch, toss in roasted pepitas or chopped almonds 🌰
🧊 Perfect For:
✔️ BBQs
✔️ Potlucks
✔️ Taco night sides
✔️ Light lunches
✔️ Summer cravings 🌞
This salad is the definition of easy, fresh, and flavorful — and it keeps well in the fridge for a day or two, making it a great make-ahead option. Hope you love it as much as I do! 💛
