Crunchy Salsa with Fresh Cucumbers – If you’re a fan of invigorating and tangy dips you’re in for a treat with our Crunchy Salsa featuring Fresh Cucumbers. This recipe combines the cool texture of cucumber with the flavors of lime and lemon along with a touch of heat from jalapeno peppers. Let’s not forget about the presence of cilantro and parsley.
I’ll always remember when I first whipped up this salsa. It was a sunny afternoon. I wanted to create something light, refreshing and different from our usual dips. The first bite caught us off guard. The crunch, the tanginess and that subtle kick from the jalapenos were simply amazing. Watching my husband and our little one devour it was just icing on the cake. Now it has become a must-have at our family get-togethers. I’m confident it will be at yours too.
What makes this Crunchy Salsa with Fresh Cucumbers unique?
What sets this salsa apart isn’t just its flavor, it’s also incredibly simple and quick to make. No cooking required— only some chopping and mixing—and voila! Your gourmet salsa is ready to go! It’s versatile enough to be used as a dip or as a topping for grilled chicken or fish.
What You Need To Make This Crunchy Salsa with Fresh Cucumbers Recipe?
Cucumbers: We’ll start with cucumbers which is the star of the show. I’ve finely chopped 2 cups of cucumbers for this dish. You have the option to peel them or leave the skin on depending on your preference. Keeping the peel adds a crunch to the salsa. Also any variety of cucumber will work well here; just make sure they’re fresh to get the flavor.
Red Onion: These onions have a milder taste compared to their yellow counterparts. When finely chopped they add a bit of bite without overpowering the flavors in the salsa.
Seeded Tomato: We can’t forget about tomatoes! They bring sweetness to our salsa. I personally prefer using tomatoes because they are juicy and sweet. To avoid making our salsa too watery it’s important to remove the seeds before adding them.
Ground Cumin: Now let’s add some flavor with ground cumin. This spice gives our salsa an earthy taste. Just remember that a little goes a long way so we only need 1/4 teaspoon.
Lime Juice: To give our salsa some punch and enhance all those flavors we’ll squeeze in some lime juice. The acidity of lime juice really brings out all the deliciousness of these ingredients.
Jalapeno Pepper: If you like a bit of heat in your salsa jalapeno pepper is perfect for that! It adds spiciness especially when we remove the seeds. Do keep in mind that different jalapenos can vary in their level of heat.
Cilantro: Lastly let’s not forget about cilantro! This herb adds a citrusy flavor that elevates our salsa further. If you’re not a fan of cilantro you have the option to substitute it with flat-leaf parsley.
Garlic Clove: For an added depth of flavor mince a clove of garlic. It complements the freshness of the ingredients well.
Sour Cream: To give the salsa a tangy taste you can add sour cream. If you prefer a healthy alternative, Greek yogurt works as well.
Lemon Juice: Like lemon juice, lime juice brings in acidity and freshness that helps maintain a flavor profile.
Parsley: In this recipe I’ve included parsley to enhance the layer of freshness. While it pairs nicely with cilantro feel free to omit it if unavailable.
Seasoned Salt: For easy seasoning, seasoned salt does wonders, it is a combination of table salt, herbs, spices and other flavorful ingredients. It adds a layer of taste to the salsa effortlessly.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Tortilla Chips: Lastly don’t forget the tortilla chips for that dipping experience. They provide a contrast, with their saltiness and satisfying crunch.
Steps To Make Crunchy Salsa with Fresh Cucumbers:
Step 1: Let’s kick off our salsa adventure by preparing what I like to call the ‘Salsa Symphony Sauce’. Get a bowl. Combine the lemon juice, creamy sour cream, earthy cumin, a pinch of seasoned salt and a dash of zesty lime juice. Give it a stir until all the flavors blend together harmoniously.
Step 2: Now it’s time to gather the members for our salsa concert. In another bowl bring together the chopped cucumber, the red onion, the finely chopped seeded tomato, the diced and seeded jalapeno, the chopped cilantro, minced garlic and minced parsley.
Step 3: Pour the Salsa Sauce into the salsa bowl. Toss and mix until everyone gets acquainted with each other while being covered in this salsa sauce.
Step 4: Place the bowl in the refrigerator for a harmonious period of an hour. If possible, allowing it to rest overnight would be even more advantageous as the flavors will meld together even better.
Step 5: Now it’s time to shine! Present your salsa creation with flair and excitement. Pair this salsa with tortilla chips or use it as a delightful accompaniment to grilled chicken or fish. Take a bite. Let the fiesta of flavors commence!
Tip:
To enhance the taste it’s recommended to prepare this salsa in advance. Although the recipe suggests chilling it for an hour but if you have the opportunity to make it and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight the flavors will blend even more wonderfully. This additional time allows the refreshing crunch of cucumbers to fully absorb the tangy and spicy flavors resulting in a salsa that’s both robust and full of flavor when you’re ready to enjoy it. Indulge in this Crunchy Salsa with Fresh Cucumbers!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this salsa ahead of time?
Certainly! It enhances the flavor when it’s refrigerated overnight.
Is there a substitute for the jalapeno pepper?
Absolutely! you can opt for serrano peppers for a spicier taste or bell peppers for a milder option.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely! Greek yogurt will provide a matching tangy taste while keeping it lighter.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Crunchy Salsa with Fresh Cucumbers
Ingredients
- 2 cups of finely chopped cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped seeded tomato
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
- 1 chopped and seeded jalapeno pepper
- 4 and 1/2 teaspoons chopped cilantro
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1-2 tablespoons minced parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
- Tortilla chips for dipping
Instructions
- Let's start by making the salsa sauce. Take a bowl. Combine lemon juice, sour cream, cumin, salt and lime juice. Give it a stir. Let it sit for a moment. This will allow the flavors to come together and create a base for our salsa.
- Now in another bowl, mix together cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro and garlic. Once everything is in the bowl pour over the salsa sauce that you set aside earlier. Gently toss everything to ensure all the ingredients are well coated.
- Place it in the refrigerator for an hour so that all the flavors can blend harmoniously.
- When you're ready to enjoy it serve with your tortilla chips. Or enjoy it as a delightful topping for grilled dishes.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
