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A dark ceramic bowl filled with Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad featuring English cucumbers and creamy dressing.

Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad: The Most Addictive Creamy Summer Side Dish

This Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad features crisp English cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and sharp cheddar tossed in a velvety herb ranch. A hint of chili flakes makes this addictive side dish a viral Pinterest favorite.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 cups
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad Components
  • 2 large English Cucumbers Sliced into 1/8 inch circles, skin on
  • 1.5 cups (225g) Cherry Tomatoes Halved
  • 1 cup (120g) Sharp Cheddar Cheese Cubed into 1/2 inch squares
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) Creamy Ranch Dressing Thick variety with visible herbs
  • 1 tsp Dried Red Chili Flakes For the 'crack' kick
  • 1 sprig Fresh Mint For aromatic finish
  • to taste Cracked Black Pepper Freshly ground

Equipment

  • 1 Dark Ceramic Bowl For high-contrast presentation
  • 1 Sharp knife or Mandolin For uniform cucumber slices

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Wash English cucumbers and slice into thin circles. Halve the cherry tomatoes and cube the sharp cheddar cheese into uniform squares.
  2. Add cucumbers, tomatoes, and cheese to a large dark ceramic bowl.
  3. Pour the thick ranch dressing over the vegetables. Toss gently until every piece is coated in the velvety white sauce.
  4. Top with dried red chili flakes, a generous amount of cracked black pepper, and a fresh sprig of mint. Serve immediately while chilled.

Notes

For maximum crunch, salt the cucumber slices for 10 minutes and pat dry before assembling.
Use a high-quality aged cheddar to provide a sharp contrast to the creamy dressing.