Description
Creamy Cucumber Salad with Bacon and Cheese is a cool, crunchy side dish loaded with crisp cucumbers, smoky bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a rich homemade dressing. This easy recipe is perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks, picnics, or a quick family side that comes together in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 3 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
For the Creamy Dressing
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Instructions
- Prepare the cucumbers: Wash and thinly slice the cucumbers. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Cook the bacon: Fry the bacon until crispy, then transfer to paper towels to cool before crumbling into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, dill, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cucumbers, bacon, cheddar cheese, red onion, chives, and parsley.
- Add the dressing: Pour the creamy dressing over the salad and gently toss until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
- Chill: Refrigerate the salad for 20–30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend together.
- Serve: Garnish with extra bacon, cheddar cheese, and fresh chives before serving.
Notes
For the crunchiest salad, stir in the bacon just before serving. If making ahead, keep the dressing separate until ready to serve. You can also substitute Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or pepper jack cheese for a delicious variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: creamy cucumber salad with bacon and cheese, cucumber bacon salad, creamy cucumber salad, easy summer salad, bbq side dish, cucumber cheese salad