Coconut Lime Cucumber Salad
A crisp, refreshing salad with cool cucumber, sweet coconut, and bright lime dressing for a light island-side accompaniment. This hawaiian-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs medium cucumber, shredded coconut, lime juice 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 100 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
- 2 medium cucumber
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel and dice 2 medium cucumbers into 1/4-inch cubes.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the diced cucumbers, 1/4 cup shredded coconut, and 2 tbsp lime juice.
- Step 3: Whisk 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp sugar in a small bowl until sugar dissolves completely.
- Step 4: Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Step 5: Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then garnish with 2 tbsp chopped cilantro before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coconut Lime Cucumber Salad take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 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 Coconut Lime Cucumber 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 Coconut Lime Cucumber 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 Coconut Lime Cucumber 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 Coconut Lime Cucumber Salad?
Hawaiian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My family devoured this at our picnic. So light and tasty.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for summer barbecues! The coconut adds a lovely texture.
- ★★★★☆
The salad was refreshing, but took longer than expected to prepare.
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