Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad

Crunchy, creamy, and totally addictive! This easy salad is packed with fresh cucumbers, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and a tangy ranch dressing that makes it impossible to stop eating. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or as a refreshing side dish.

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 3 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced or diced (peel if desired)

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• ½ red onion, thinly sliced

• 6 slices bacon, cooked crispy & chopped

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried)

• 2 green onions, sliced

For the Dressing:

• ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix (or 2 tbsp homemade ranch seasoning*)

• 1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Salt & pepper, to taste

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1 avocado, diced

• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained & rinsed

• ½ cup croutons (for extra crunch)

Instructions

1. Prep the Veggies:

   • Slice cucumbers, halve tomatoes, and thinly slice red onion. Place in a large bowl.

   • Add crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, dill, and green onions.

2. Make the Dressing:

   • In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayo, ranch seasoning, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Combine & Chill:

   • Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.

   • Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour (or up to 4 hours) to let flavors meld.

4. Serve:

   • Stir well before serving. Garnish with extra bacon, cheese, or dill.

   • For extra crunch, add avocado or croutons just before eating.

Tips for Success

✅ Drain cucumbers if they release too much water (sprinkle with salt, let sit 10 mins, then pat dry).
✅ Make it ahead! The flavors get better as it chills.
✅ For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream/mayo.

Homemade Ranch Seasoning (if not using a packet)

• 2 tbsp dried parsley

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp dried dill

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

Variations

• Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.

• Mediterranean Twist: Swap ranch for tzatziki sauce + feta cheese.

• Protein-Packed: Add grilled chicken or hard-boiled eggs.

This salad is called “crack” for a reason—it’s that good!