Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad (Print View)

Fresh cucumbers tossed in creamy ranch dressing with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and crunchy toppings for the ultimate summer side dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 cups cucumber, diced (about 2 large cucumbers)
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Proteins and Dairy

04 - 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled (about 8 slices)
05 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
06 - ½ cup sour cream
07 - ½ cup mayonnaise
08 - ¼ cup ranch dressing

→ Crunchy Toppings

09 - 1 cup crushed kettle-cooked potato chips or gluten-free crackers (optional)

→ Seasonings

10 - ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
11 - ¼ teaspoon onion powder
12 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - ¼ teaspoon salt

# How to Make:

01 - Combine the diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and green onions in a large bowl.
02 - Add the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese to the vegetable mixture.
03 - Whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch dressing, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and salt in a separate bowl until smooth and well combined.
04 - Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture. Gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Just before serving, top with the crushed potato chips or crackers for extra crunch, if desired.
06 - Serve immediately, or chill for 30 minutes for best flavor development.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in under 30 minutes with almost zero actual cooking
  • The crunch from the chips on top makes each bite impossibly addictive
  • It travels beautifully and actually tastes better after the flavors hang out for a while
02 -
  • The cucumber releases water as it sits so if you are making this ahead do not add the chips until the very last minute
  • This salad is best eaten the same day because the bacon and chips lose their magical texture overnight
03 -
  • Seed your cucumbers if they are particularly large and watery to keep your salad from getting too soupy
  • The salad needs that final seasoning adjustment right before serving since the bacon and cheese both add salt

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