Chilled Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad
A refreshing, crisp salad with garden-fresh vegetables and zesty lemon dressing. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 10 minutes pairs medium cucumber, bell peppers, red onion into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 60 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 cup bell peppers
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 medium peeled and diced cucumber, 1 cup diced bell peppers, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Step 4: Sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill and serve chilled.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chilled Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chilled Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium cucumber from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chilled Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chilled Cucumber and Bell Pepper Salad?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Related recipes
Herb-Garnished Cucumber and Radish Salad with Lemon-Dill Dressing
Light and Crisp Green Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Yogurt-Dressed Green Salad with Lemon Zest
Cucumber-Radish Salad with Lemon-Dill Dressing
Lemon and Thyme Spring Vegetable Salad
Citrus-Bitter Vinaigrette Salad with Fennel and Radish
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
